Merchandise sales locations will be closed state-wide for the required annual inventory beginning Wednesday, April 15 and will reopen when completed on April 16.

Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., Feb. 15 through April 30. Learn more.

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5 things to experience at Bear Creek Lake State Park

By Kim WellsPosted April 08, 2026

Bear Creek Lake State Park is ideal for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The park offers seasonal programs that highlight nature and the wildlife that reside there. There is something for everyone to enjoy at this park, from the lake to the trails.

Clinch River State Park: An update on Virginia's first blueway state park

By Starr AndersonPosted April 07, 2026

Clinch River State Park continues to make exciting steps as it develops into Virginia's first blueway state park, blending river-based recreation and land conservation in a way no other state park in the commonwealth has done before.

Trail etiquette on Virginia State Parks' rails-to-trails

By Starr AndersonPosted March 25, 2026

Virginia State Parks features four rail-to-trail systems, each offering accessible, scenic routes with gentle grades ideal for walkers, runners, cyclists, e-bike riders, and, except at Staunton River Battlefield, horseback riders.

Livelihood in the Fort

By Emily PricePosted March 24, 2026

Reenactors at Wilderness Road State Park built a fort structure using authentic 18th-century tools and methods, showcasing daily life, craftsmanship and the volunteers' deep dedication to preserving history.

Virginia’s bats: Hibernation, migration and how you can help them

By Starr AndersonPosted March 16, 2026

As spring arrives, Virginia’s bats are on the move. Some are waking from hibernation, while others are returning home. Whether they’ve spent winter in caves or stayed active in warmer regions, this season is critical for their survival.

Preserving a living landscape at Belle Isle

By Guest BloggerPosted March 12, 2026

Belle Isle State Park is a living landscape shaped by river, history and care. Its trails, oyster reefs and 1767 plantation house show how land, labor and ecology connect. Preservation helps visitors understand its layered past and evolving future.

Boardwalk along the river at Belle Isle State Park.

Where community came before country: A love letter to New River Trail State Park

By Guest BloggerPosted March 12, 2026

New River Trail State Park follows the New River through forests and towns where early ideas of independence took shape. Preserving the trail protects these routes, connecting past and present as visitors reflect, travel and care for the landscape.

10 ways to take on the Trail Quest challenge

By Christen McKeyPosted February 04, 2026

After seven years, my family recently completed our Trail Quest journey. Whether you are well on your way to the goal or have not yet joined the challenge, here are ten ways to get the most out of your quest.

Master Hiker ceremony at False Cape State Park

Wintertime at Pocahontas State Park

By Kim WellsPosted February 02, 2026

Bundle up and explore Pocahontas State Park! From winter hikes and Jr. Ranger fun to stargazing and archery, there’s something for everyone. Check “Know Before You Go” for updates and make the most of the season outdoors.

5 ways to spend more time in nature in 2026

By Starr AndersonPosted December 22, 2025

If your New Year's resolution is to spend more time outside this year, look no further than Virginia State Parks. With 44 unique parks from the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, the opportunities for outdoor adventures are endless.