Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., now through April 30. Learn more.

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Spend Virginia Screen-Free Week at Virginia State Parks

By Haley RodgersPosted April 11, 2025
Virginia Screen-Free Week, occurring from April 13-19, 2025, encourages individuals and families to unplug from screens and explore Virginia's state parks.
Family hiking at Sky Meadows State Park

What’s new at Sky Meadows State Park?

By Laura SchliesskePosted March 14, 2025
For a park that has been a part of the Virginia State Parks system for more than 40 years and a working farm for more than 200 years, Sky Meadows State Park is keeping things fresh with a new trail and an addition to the campground.
A trail with yellow-orange trees along a stone wall to the left of the trail and an open pastoral vista to the right under blue sky.

Black history at Green Pastures Recreation Area and how to visit

By Amy AtwoodPosted February 25, 2025
Learn about the history of Green Pastures Recreation Area and how you can visit, thanks to the stewardship of Douthat State Park staff.
Guests at Green Pastures Recreation Area

Spring Burning Restrictions February 15 through April 30

By Nancy HeltmanPosted February 01, 2025
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.
We obey the law when it comes to burn bans at Virginia State Parks to help prevent wildfires

Virginia birds in The 12 Days of Christmas

By Haley RodgersPosted December 19, 2024
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.
A medium size bird on a dead tree, surrounded by pine trees. It

The inside scoop to hiking the Sky Meadows loop

By Laura SchliesskePosted August 29, 2024
One of the most popular hikes at Sky Meadows State Park, sometimes referred to as “the Sky Meadows loop,” is not a single loop trail, but is comprised of several trails strung together to create a 5-mile trek. Read on to get the “inside scoop."
A trail map of Sky Meadows State Park overlayed with orange highlight over a designated loop of trails and a circle in the upper right corner that reads "See blog for a guide to the Sky Meadows loop."

5 must-do activities at Staunton River State Park

By Starr AndersonPosted July 11, 2024
Staunton River State Park is a great place to escape to the great outdoors with family and friends. The park is open year-round, and you can make overnight reservations for camping and cabins up to 11 months in advance.
Staunton River Dark Sky

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

Winter Hiking Tips: Enjoying the off-season at Virginia State Parks

By John GreshamPosted January 09, 2024
Hiking offers challenges and opportunities to enjoy the off-season at Virginia State Parks!
Winter at Virginia State Parks

Where to play disc golf at Virginia State Parks

By Starr AndersonPosted June 23, 2023
If you’re looking for a fun way to explore a park, check out our disc golf courses at Natural Bridge and Staunton River State Parks. They both offer a unique terrain and a different set of challenges for players of all skill levels.
Thistle Ridge Disc Golf Trail


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