Boating and Water Sports

Virginia Department Of Conservation And Recreation

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Boating and Water Sports

Whether launching your big saltwater rig at First Landing State Park for a day on the Chesapeake, paddling your kayak past the city sites of Richmond, or renting a canoe at the Hungry Mother livery, access to your favorite water sport is never far away in Virginia. Fish for blue crabs, sail a boat, tube down a river, or dive on the coast. Whatever you like to do in the water, you can find a place to do it in Virginia!

Staunton River State Park, A GREAT Place! Tom Cervenak I just took a trip to Staunton River State Park in Scottsburg, Virginia. While at the park I got a tour of their facilities.	Conquer the Chesapeake 2010 Staci Martin On Saturday, May 15, 2010 a crew of ten active duty sailors will attempt to row and sail a 26-foot long Monomy Pulling Boat across the Chesapeake Bay from First Landing State Park to Kiptopeke State Park and back.
Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake Day Nancy Heltman Smith Mountain Lake State Park Boat Ramp saw extra business last Saturday, May 1st.	Boat Slips Available at Claytor Lake State Park Jaimie Lomasney Claytor Lake State Park offers season boat slips to allow boating enthusiasts an opportunity to park their boat within Claytor Lake State Park for a rental fee from March to November yearly.
Douthat State Park is Lowering Lake Jaimie Lomasney Douthat State Park will begin lowering Douthat Lake beginning Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 and will begin refilling the lake on Friday, March 26, 2010.	How the West Was Won - Part V Tom Cervenak Take time to read highlights from Tom's visits and to five state Parks on the far west side of the state. This is the last in the series of five articles.
Fishing and Fun, For the Fund Tom Cervenak Each year State Park employees, some family members, volunteers and friends of parks get together on the Eastern Shore at Kiptopeke State Park for a very important event, The State Parks Benevolence Fund Fishing Tournament and Raffle.	Hi-Tech Sytem Provides Chesapeake Interpretation joseph peash A new buoy system on the Chesapeake provides paddlers with real-time conditions as well as historic information.
The Shallop joseph peash The shallop is a handy boat that John Smith and those after him brought with them to Virginia.	State Parks Offer Moonlight Canoe Tours Kevin Wallenfang Several state parks offer moonlight canoe tours throughout the summer, offering a fun evening of nature and the stars.
Thar She Blows! kevin wallenfang Several species of whales make seasonal migrations up the Virginia coast.	Moonlight canoe ride on the Staunton River Kevin Wallenfang Moonlight canoe ride on the Staunton River
Roots in Branches Lorraine Eaton Canoist Lillie Gilbert takes an active roll in sharing knowledge about the coast backwaters of Virginia that she works to protect.

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Thar She Blows!

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"I too began my Passport adventure last summer, only to find out while visiting Mason Neck in March that Trail Quest had 'replaced' the program. Although later in the spring, I have found personnel at Twin Lakes, Sailor's Creek, High Bridge, & Grayson Highlands SPs unaware of the Trail Quest program or 'secret pass-codes.' Hopefully, when I return to the parks, the information will be readily available."

Posted by Stephen Davis [View]

"Maura, thanks for the comment about the old Passport program. We here at State Parks really liked the passport book too. In fact, we spent a great deal of time revising and updating the book for a reprinting before we came upon the intenet supported TrailQuest version. The problem with the printed version is that we had to order enough for several years in order to keep the printing costs within reason. Unfortunately, we found that we were opening new parks and building new trails at a rate that…"

Posted by Chuck Wyatt [View]

"I support anything that motivates more Virginians to get outdoors and appreciate the beauty of the parks we all own together. I hope TrailQuest will do just that. I'm disappointed, though, that the Passport program has been discontinued! During our second state park visit last year, my boyfriend and I bought a Virginia State Park Passport, and the program has gotten us far more interested in visiting all VA parks than we ever would have been otherwise. We've visited 6 so far, and we enjoy collecting…"

Posted by Maura Keaney [View]

"Outstanding! Good job."

Posted by Jim White [View]

"We are more determined than ever to visit every single VA State Park! With warnings of possible closures earlier this year, we want them to continue and thrive! If you have not been to a VA State Park you do not know what you are missing! They are fantastic, forget Busch Gardens - GET OUTSIDE! Shellie at The Claiborne House B&B in Rocky Mount VA - Wife, Mother of two teens and one dog who loves to explore our state parks!"

Posted by Shellie Anne [View]

Boating and Water Sports

Blue Ridge Highlands

Central

Chesapeake

Eastern Shore

Heart of Appalachia

Northern

Shenandoah Valley

Southern

Tidewater

Related Articles

Staunton River State Park, A GREAT Place!

Conquer the Chesapeake 2010

Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake Day

Boat Slips Available at Claytor Lake State Park

Douthat State Park is Lowering Lake

How the West Was Won - Part V

Fishing and Fun, For the Fund

Hi-Tech Sytem Provides Chesapeake Interpretation

The Shallop

State Parks Offer Moonlight Canoe Tours

Thar She Blows!

Moonlight canoe ride on the Staunton River

Roots in Branches

What's Happening

Thar She Blows!

Recent Photos

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