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Category "Boating and Water Sports"Clear results in following blogs.

Water safety at Virginia State Parks

By Christen McKeyPosted May 23, 2025
Virginia State Parks offer many opportunities for water recreation. Follow these water safety guidelines to get the most out of your experiences!
Boating at Occoneechee State Park

Fishing at Virginia State Parks

By Kim WellsPosted March 20, 2025
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.
Kayak fishing at Bear Creek Lake

5 parks to explore within an hour of Roanoke

By Starr AndersonPosted March 17, 2025
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.
Virginia State Parks

5 must-do activities at Claytor Lake State Park

By Starr AndersonPosted March 12, 2025
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.
Claytor Lake

5 must-do activities at Smith Mountain Lake State Park

By Starr AndersonPosted February 26, 2025
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.
Boat rentals at Smith Mountain Lake State Park

What it’s like to do an adventure race at a Virginia state park

By Haley RodgersPosted February 04, 2025
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.
Race team and longtime ”bike-buddies” Betty Saxman (left), Veronica Salazar (middle) and Incy Teoh (right).   Photo courtesy of Incy Teoh.

5 ways to spend more time in nature in 2025

By Starr AndersonPosted December 26, 2024
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.
Douthat State Park

First Master Paddler of Virginia State Parks: Colleen Renderos

By Haley RodgersPosted December 04, 2024
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.
Colleen Renderos being awarded her Master Paddler certificate at her ceremony for completing the Wandering Waters Paddle Quest program with Virginia State Parks. Chief Ranger of Visitor Services Hilda LeStrange pictured with Colleen above awarding certificate at Powhatan State Park

4 Virginia State Parks within 1 hour of Charlottesville

By Starr AndersonPosted September 10, 2024
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.
Virginia State Parks

5 must-do activities at Occoneechee State Park

By Starr AndersonPosted July 31, 2024
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.
Occoneechee

December Kayaking at Fairy Stone State Park

By Guest BloggerPosted December 12, 2023
Guest blogger Glen Mitchell shares the view from his kayak during a trip to Fairy Stone in December, 2019 with his wife.
Otter

5 must-do activities at New River Trail’s Foster Falls

By Starr AndersonPosted July 12, 2023
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.
Foster Falls Picnic Table

Broken Bridge is Broken No More

By Sarah WilkinsonPosted September 24, 2019
A great spot along The Lakeshore Trail for fishing and so much more at Holliday Lake State Park.
Broken Bridge at Holliday Lake State Park.

Two More Unforgettable Experiences Under Two Hours from Williamsburg

By Shellie AnnePosted August 20, 2019
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.
Beachcombing on the Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke State Park in Virginia is a fun year-round activity, you may even find a live sanddollar

Ain't She Sweet: Cabin 11 at Occoneechee State Park

By Shellie AnnePosted June 04, 2019
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.
Cabin 11 is a two-bedroom cabin tucked away at the end of the cabin loop at Occoneechee State Park, Virginia

Where can you swim at Virginia State Parks?

By Shellie AnnePosted May 14, 2019
Virginia State Parks offers places to cool off in more ways than one.
Holliday Lake swimming beach

Life is Full of Options: Top Reasons to Choose Virginia State Parks

By Shellie AnnePosted May 08, 2019
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!
Paddling is great fun for families, couples, friends and even groups at James River State Park

Why Kids Love Virginia State Parks

By Shellie AnnePosted March 06, 2019
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.
We love to explore Virginia State Parks (Spillway at Douthat State Park)

Why You Need to Visit One of Virginia's Most Bountiful Fishing Lakes

By Shellie AnnePosted January 29, 2019
The secret is out, one of Virginia's most amazing fishing lakes is the John H Kerr Reservoir, commonly known as Buggs Island Lake.
The secret is out, one of Virginia

Kiptopeke's Breakwater

By Andrew SporrerPosted January 03, 2019
Learn more about the concrete fleet at Kiptopeke State Park.
Kiptopeke State Park


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