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.

Fairy Stone State Park is the perfect destination if you're looking for a mountain getaway. While this 4,741-acre park is known for its unique fairy stones and sandy beach on Fairy Stone Lake, this Southwest Virginia gem has a lot more to offer.

Every ranger at Virginia State Parks has a different story on how they came to work here. Check out this story from Hungry Mother State Park Ranger Yates and why he loves working for parks.

Located in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, Natural Tunnel State Park is a hidden gem. Many people come here for the 100-foot-tall Natural Tunnel, but they discover quickly that the more than 1,000-acre park has much more to offer.

Hungry Mother State Park is a go-to destination for nature lovers. With 3,334 acres of scenic woodlands, a 108-acre lake and abundant activities for visitors of all ages, it's easy to see why this park has been a favorite since 1936.

Ever wonder what activities your kids or grandkids may enjoy during a Virginia State Parks visit? Hattie (age 12) and Cam (age 11) share their favorite experiences over the years. Spoiler alert: there are fun opportunities for all ages!

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.

Learn about the history of Green Pastures Recreation Area and how you can visit, thanks to the stewardship of Douthat State Park staff.

Master Naturalist Kelly Roach encourages you to embrace winter on the trail, challenging you to look for color along the way. Learn what evergreen plants to look for, what marcescence is, colorful birds you may see and why the sky is bluer in winter.

While every Virginia State Park is unique, Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park stands out from the rest. It primarily focuses on history and culture; however, you don't have to be a history buff to fall in love with this park.

Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Grayson Highlands State Park is a true gem. It's adjacent to two of Virginia's highest mountains, Mount Rodgers and Whitetop, so it offers unforgettable views, challenging trails and a serene atmosphere.

Kerry O'Neil serves as the Piedmont Region Resource Specialist with Virginia State Parks. She initially dreamed of various careers but found her passion for resource management through her experiences visiting Virginia State parks.

For outdoor enthusiasts, and for those seeking to try something new this Valentine's Day, Sky Meadows State Park could be the romantic getaway you are looking for.

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.

Per state law, open fires are prohibited in all Virginia State Parks from midnight until 4 p.m., February 15 through April 30. Find out about the one exception in this blog.

February is Black History Month. Take a trip across the state with a focus on the history to learn, honor and celebrate Black Americans and their stories in Virginia State Parks.

Many of our park staff began their journey with us as volunteers. Check out some of our rangers' stories and why they chose to volunteer at Virginia State Parks.

Hungry Mother and Fairy Stone state parks can help you get rid of your live Christmas tree after the holidays and help the fish!

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.

Winter is a great time for birding in Virginia. Participate in the Christmas Bird Count or simply go looking for winter wildlife on your own. Find out which Virginia birds you should be on the look out for this time of year.