Read Our Blogs
Celebrate National Trails Day by giving back to the trails at Sky Meadows State Park
Posted 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.
Comradery on the trail with Girls Who Hike Virginia
Posted 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.
5 ways to experience High Bridge Trail State Park
Posted 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.
2024 Volunteer of the Year Awards
Posted 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.
Mother and daughter become Virginia Master Hikers and Master Naturalists together in 1 year
Posted 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.
6 ways to spend Earth Day
Posted March 20, 2025
Get inspired to give back on Earth Day! Virginia State Parks are hosting events across the commonwealth for you to attend.
What’s new at Sky Meadows State Park?
Posted 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.
5 things to experience at Mason Neck State Park
Posted 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
A resource management career at Virginia State Parks: Kerry O’Neil
Posted 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.
Volunteering can open doors for the future
Posted January 13, 2025
Many of our park staff began their journey with us as volunteers. Check out some of our rangers' stories and why they chose to volunteer at Virginia State Parks.
5 ways to spend more time in nature in 2025
Posted December 26, 2024
If your New Year’s resolution is to spend more time outside this year, look no further than Virginia State Parks. With 43 unique parks from the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, the opportunities for outdoor adventures are endless.
5 things to experience when visiting Holliday Lake State Park
Posted July 24, 2024
Holliday Lake State Park is a hidden gem in Appomattox that offers a variety of activities and scenery for all to enjoy. Whether you want a self-guided adventure or ranger-led activity, this park is a must visit destination.
Birds nesting in unexpected spots at Machicomoco State Park
Posted July 10, 2024
Machicomoco State Park provides the perfect location for birding. AmeriCorps member Grayson Nelson shares his experience seeing birds and their nests in unexpected places at the park.
A Legacy Fulfilled: Sky Meadows receives funding to make Lost Mountain Trail more sustainable.
Posted January 10, 2024
The Friends of Sky Meadows Trail Legacy Campaign has been an ongoing fundraiser since 2019. We have reached the goal of raising $28,000 to make trail improvements that will reduce erosion so that our trails can be enjoyed by future generations.
Holliday Lake State Park is recognized with Virginia Green Travel All-Star Award
Posted 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.
The Rails of Legacy Live On
Posted 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.
Sky Meadows Partners with the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club
Posted June 26, 2020
Astronomy for Everyone program at Sky Meadows State Park.
Make it a day ON, not a day off! Volunteering in Virginia State Parks
Posted February 27, 2020
Volunteering in a Virginia State Park is both challenging as well as rewarding.
Thinking Outside the Box
Posted February 08, 2020
Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park members continually think "outside of the box" in order to improve the park.
You Aren’t Born Just Knowing These Things
Posted August 24, 2019
Sometimes in life you have to get your hands dirty to learn, as the VSCC Natural Resource Crew for District 3 found out.