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Category "Hiking"Clear results in following blogs.

What's going on with South Ridge Trail? A natural resources stewardship story

By Laura SchliesskePosted July 30, 2025
There have been some changes to the landscape on the South Ridge Trail over the past couple of years. Learn how intentional natural resource management tools are used to enhance, not just the trail, but wider the ecosystem.
The Historic Area Overlook on South Ridge Trail

7 places to park your RV at Virginia State Parks

By Guest BloggerPosted June 17, 2025
Take your RV to any of these seven Virginia State Parks for a great time!
Chippokes State Park campground with an RV at it with trees surrounding it and a sandpad with a bug net on it

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.

6 trails less traveled

By Christen McKeyPosted June 03, 2025
Add these six less-traveled trails to your weekday plans for a peaceful outdoor adventure at Virginia State Parks.
Bushey Point Trail at Leesylvania State Park

Camaraderie 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

5 must-do activities at Sky Meadows State Park

By Laura SchliesskePosted April 28, 2025
Rich in history, Sky Meadows State Park can be your gateway to adventurous recreation. Situated in the Crooked Run Valley on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this spot provides a multitude of options for exploring nature.
Sky Meadows view behind the visitor center

Hiking Molly's Knob at Hungry Mother as a Master Naturalist

By Haley RodgersPosted April 25, 2025
What a Virginia Master Naturalist sees along the trail while hiking to Molly's Knob at Hungry Mother State Park.
View from the top of Molly

Mother and daughter become Virginia Master Hikers and Master Naturalists together in 1 year

By Guest BloggerPosted April 22, 2025
Kelly and her daughter decided to take on Trail Quest with a goal of completing it in one year. Along the way they decided to both become Master Naturalists, too. Learn about their adventurous year, how they planned it out and her recommendations.
Left: Mother and daughter pose with their Master Hiker certificates after completing Trail Quest. Right: Daughter lays in between all their trail maps and car tags from park visits.

5 must-hike trails to overlooks at Sky Meadow State Park

By Laura SchliesskePosted April 04, 2025
Sky Meadows State Park is known for its panoramic vistas of the surrounding pastoral landscape and offers several hiking trails that take you to some of these famous overlooks.
Sky Meadows

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

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.

5 things to experience at Mason Neck State Park

By Kim WellsPosted March 13, 2025
Located in Northern Virginia with recreational access to the water as well as seasonal programs. This park is perfect for adventure or for a quiet getaway from the daily grind
Aerial view of Mason Neck State Park

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 Natural Tunnel State Park

By Starr AndersonPosted March 05, 2025
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.
Natural Tunnel

Colorful winter woods at Virginia State Parks

By Guest BloggerPosted February 24, 2025
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.
Rainbow swamp at First Landing State Park by Katherine Scott.

5 must-do activities at Grayson Highlands State Park

By Starr AndersonPosted February 19, 2025
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.
Grayson Highlands

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.

B.A.R.K. Ranger Program puts the wow in bow wow

By Kim WellsPosted December 10, 2024
The B.A.R.K. Rangers Program is a fun way to enjoy responsible recreation with your dog while creating lasting memories. You also get a reward for completing the program. While rewards vary by park, adventures exist at all locations.
Bruno and Kim by Twin Lakes sign


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