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Category "Community"Clear results in following blogs.

Celebrate National Trails Day by giving back to the trails at Sky Meadows State Park

By Laura SchliesskePosted June 03, 2025
This year, National Trails Day will be celebrated across the country on June 7. We at Sky Meadows State Park are proud to take part by providing you with the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty improving one of our trails.
A group of ten people of various ages, genders and races working together to dig a large rock out of the ground.

Comradery on the trail with Girls Who Hike Virginia

By Kim WellsPosted May 27, 2025
Hiking can be more enjoyable with larger groups, and the Girls Who Hike Virginia demonstrated this while completing the Trail Quest program. Achieving Master Hiker status after visiting all the state parks is one of many milestones for this group.
Master Hiker Ceremony at Pocahontas State Park

What's new at Holliday Lake State Park

By Kim WellsPosted May 20, 2025
Holliday Lake State Park has undergone a few changes over the past year. These changes are positively noticeable, and it is worth taking a trip to the park to see what's new. You can camp here or stay at a nearby park to enjoy the area longer.
Holliday Lake

5 ways to experience High Bridge Trail State Park

By Kim WellsPosted April 30, 2025
High Bridge Trail State Park follows an old railroad bed with little incline which makes it perfect for walking, biking and horseback riding. There are several trailheads to start your journey through numerous towns and across Central Virginia.
Farmville entrance to High Bridge Trail State Park

2024 Volunteer of the Year Awards

By Amy AtwoodPosted April 23, 2025
Virginia State Parks received 221,132 hours of time from more than 8,000 volunteers in 2024. Every year parks have the opportunity to nominate volunteers for the annual Volunteer of the Year awards. Read who won this year and why.
A graphic stating Virginia State Parks 2024 volunteer hours: 221,132 Total hours donated in 2024; 88,655 Camp Host hours; 41,656 Volunteer group hours; 65,257 Individual volunteer hours

6 ways to spend Earth Day

By Haley RodgersPosted March 20, 2025
Get inspired to give back on Earth Day! Virginia State Parks are hosting events across the commonwealth for you to attend.
 Monarch butterfly on butterfly milkweed in Kiptopeke State Park’s Native Plant Garden

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

Ranger Yate's path to Hungry Mother

By Amy AtwoodPosted March 07, 2025
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.
Ranger Yates during Christmas community outreach

Give your Christmas tree a second life

By Guest BloggerPosted January 02, 2025
Hungry Mother and Fairy Stone state parks can help you get rid of your live Christmas tree after the holidays and help the fish!
Live Christmas tree to be recycled

Where to wander this winter

By Kim WellsPosted December 09, 2024
Wintertime is around the corner and Virginia State Parks have numerous things for you to do despite the cold weather. Check out the many activities you can do solo or with friends and family to enjoy this winter season.
Winter view at a Virginia State Park

How veterans use their experience as Virginia state park rangers

By Amy AtwoodPosted November 08, 2024
Virginia State Parks are honored to have veterans choose careers within our parks. Meet two of our veterans and their journey to being a ranger.
Park Manager Chris Fritz

15 fall festivities at Virginia State Parks

By Kim WellsPosted September 12, 2024
With cooler temperatures approaching, this is the perfect time to enjoy the foliage and fall festivities at a Virginia State Park. There are numerous events throughout the Commonwealth for the whole family to enjoy. Get outside and enjoy the season.
Pawpaw Festival at Powhatan State Park

High Bridge Trail State Park completes extension into Pamplin

By Kim WellsPosted April 24, 2024
High Bridge Trail now connects to Pamplin City after many years in the making and DCR is excited to be a part of the town's story. This new western terminus is a great place to start your trek on High Bridge Trail State Park.
Ribbon cutting at High Bridge Trail new extension

What does a Virginia State Park Maintenance Ranger do?

By Kim WellsPosted January 10, 2024
Consider a job at a Virginia State Park such as maintenance ranger and you might be surprised at much you love it! These hardworking rangers face different adventures each day while gaining knowledge and building skillsets along the way.
Rangers doing trail maintenance

5 things to do at Machicomoco State Park

By Kim WellsPosted October 24, 2023
Machicomoco State Park is Virginia's 40th state park and is truly a special place to visit. The park has a unique history and is surrounded by diverse wildlife habitats that provide a perfect place to anyone to enjoy.
Algonquin words on bench at Machicomoco

5 things to do at Chippokes State Park

By Kim WellsPosted October 17, 2023
Chippokes State Park is a beautiful location and contains the oldest continually farmed land in the country. The rich history and lovely views of the James River make for a perfect day visit or an overnight getaway.
Chippokes in the fall

Youngest Master Hiker to complete Trail Quest

By Kim WellsPosted July 19, 2023
At only 4 months old, Ezra Hernandez is the youngest person to earn his Master Hiker certificate for completing the Trail Quest Program. His mother Kaylee used her maternity leave to bond with her newborn son through outdoor experiences together.
Kaylee and Ezra with park staff and certificates

Holliday Lake State Park is recognized with Virginia Green Travel All-Star Award

By Kim WellsPosted April 25, 2023
Holliday Lake State Park has been recognized with the prestigious Virginia Green Travel award for its cigarette butt recycling program. It is very important to recycle and eliminate excess waste that ultimately hurts the environment and wildlife.
Meggan Saul at Virginia Green Conference with award presenters

The Rails of Legacy Live On

By Emily PricePosted October 20, 2022
We often think about legacies, the things we will leave behind. Check out the story of Bruce Wingo and the legacy that he left behind for park goers to enjoy.
Norfolk Southern Engine crossing over the High Bridge

Rebellion & Refuge: Maroons of the Great Dismal Swamp

By John GreshamPosted October 11, 2022
Learn about the stories of courageous conspirators and runaways who overcame the challenging terrain of Tidewater Virginia to elude their oppressors.
A refuge for runaways


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