Lighthouses along the York River guided shipping from West Point to the Chesapeake Bay until they were replaced with automated lights.

Virginia State Parks offer many opportunities for water recreation. Follow these water safety guidelines to get the most out of your experiences!

Whether you prefer fishing in lakes, rivers, creeks, oceans or the bay, there are plenty of places to cast your line at a Virginia State Park. To enjoy more time on the water be sure to book your stay in a cabin, campground, yurt or lodge.

In addition to its own opportunities for connecting with nature, Roanoke provides you with easy access to five Virginia State Parks: Claytor Lake, Douthat, Fairy Stone, Smith Mountain Lake and Natural Bridge.

Claytor Lake State Park is a go-to destination for water enthusiasts. Its 4,500-acre lake offers roughly 4 miles of lake frontage, including a sandy beach. While the water draws many people in, it’s not all this park offers.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park has something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. From water sports to peaceful nature trails, its array of adventures makes it a perfect destination for families, couples and solo explorers.

Park regulars participated in an all-women’s adventure race at Occoneechee State Park. Read what an adventure race is, what it's like to participate, what you get out of it and how it helps you explore the park system.

If your New Year’s resolution is to spend more time outside this year, look no further than Virginia State Parks. With 43 unique parks from the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, the opportunities for outdoor adventures are endless.

We asked the first person to complete our Wandering Waters Paddle Quest program to tell us about her experience wandering the waters of 31 Virginia State Parks. For completing the program, Colleen Renderos received her Master Paddler certificate.

Whether you enjoy hiking, boating, biking, fishing or simply relaxing, Bear Creek Lake, James River, Lake Anna and Powhatan state parks are all within an hour’s drive of Charlottesville, making them perfect for day trips or weekend getaways.

Located along the shores of Buggs Island Lake, Occoneechee State Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. The park offers a diverse range of activities that cater to nature lovers, explorers and those just looking to unwind.

Guest blogger Glen Mitchell shares the view from his kayak during a trip to Fairy Stone in December, 2019 with his wife.

There is no shortage of activities for visitors at New River Trail. The 57-mile linear park has more than 10 different access points; however, the Foster Falls area serves as a great activity hub no matter your interest.

A great spot along The Lakeshore Trail for fishing and so much more at Holliday Lake State Park.

If you like to fish, bike, bird watch or beach comb then read on to see two more parks to explore on Virginia's beautiful waterways.

Lovely cabin 11 at Occoneechee State Park will knock your socks off. This is part of a fun cabin series that will give you some inside information on a specific cabin at a specific park.

Virginia State Parks offers places to cool off in more ways than one.

Many of you might be new to Virginia or may have just discovered Virginia State Parks and are wondering what to do there. You've come to the right place!

There isn't enough paper in the world to contain the stories of the fun found over the generations at Virginia State Parks. Don't just take our word for it, find out for yourself why kids love Virginia State Parks.

The secret is out, one of Virginia's most amazing fishing lakes is the John H Kerr Reservoir, commonly known as Buggs Island Lake.