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Category "Paddling20Lakes"Clear results in following blogs.

Commemorating the 160th battle anniversary: Q&A with the chief historic weapons safety officer

By Christen McKeyPosted March 31, 2025
Assistant Park Manager Lee Wilcox shares what visitors can look forward to during the 160th battle anniversary events. These programs will commemorate Civil War history at two state park locations that played a crucial role in ending the war.
Sailor

4 women in law enforcement at Virginia State Parks

By Starr AndersonPosted March 28, 2025
DCR's law enforcement rangers go beyond traditional policing; they serve to protect people and Virginia's natural and cultural resources. Among these professional are women breaking barriers in a historically male-dominated field.
Amanda Bishop

A state park wedding: Naturally beautiful, naturally budget-friendly

By Christen McKeyPosted March 26, 2025
Get an inside look into a state park wedding as Courtney Raihall shares insights from her special day. Whether it's a simple outdoor elopement or an elaborate event, Virginia State Parks offer breathtaking backdrops for any style or budget.
Forest backdrop at the Pocahontas State Park wedding

5 must-do activities at Raymond R. "Andy" Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park

By Starr AndersonPosted March 24, 2025
Shenandoah River State Park is a hidden gem. With stunning river views, diverse trails and a variety of educational programs, this 1,600-acre park is a perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers of all ages.
Kayaking on the Shenandoah River

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

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

5 must-do activities at Natural Bridge State Park

By Starr AndersonPosted March 19, 2025
While many visitors come to Natural Bridge State Park to see the bridge for themselves, they quickly learn that this 1,635-acre park has much more to offer, from Dark-Sky programs to hikes with stunning mountain views.
Natural Bridge

A "heronious" point of view: great blue herons are nesting

By John GreshamPosted March 18, 2025
March is prime time for viewing great blue herons as they are rebuilding their nesting colony on Woodstock Pond.
An active "heronry"

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

Kid-friendly programs: Q&A with kids who love Virginia State Parks

By Christen McKeyPosted February 28, 2025
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!
Earning Junior Ranger badges at Machicomoco State Park

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

A resource management career at Virginia State Parks: Kerry O'Neil

By Amy AtwoodPosted February 11, 2025
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.
Kerry O

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.

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

A Virginia State Parks road trip for Black History Month

By Christen McKeyPosted February 01, 2025
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.
Map of parks along the road trip for Black History


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