In this addition we talk to Nancy Heltman, state parks operations director, about the Youth Conservation Corps and their efforts to create quality youth initiatives.

Take a walk on the wild side this 4th of July and enjoy America's beautiful outdoors!!

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll love Holliday Lake State Park.  The park is nestled in the heart of Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest.

Surrounded by two lakes in the heart of Central Virginia, Twin Lakes State Park is an ideal setting for a variety of lakefront activities.

False Cape State Park is offering some great paddling programs for all levels of ability.

On Saturday, June 19th, Chippokes Plantation State Park will host "James River Day" featuring stewardship activities, beach clean ups, canoe trips, and wagon rides.  Don't forget sunscreen, bug spray, a bag lunch, and bottled water!!

Last month, I challenged readers to make a "Virginia State Parks To-Do List" by visiting our events website at  www.virginiastateparks.gov/ and selecting five things to do at Virginia State Parks.

There are a lot of fun things to do at Occoneechee State Park throughout the upcoming weekend. Hike through the woods, ride a bike, visit the museum, have a picnic, and enjoy these great programs along with many others.

According to Sarah Lankford, Office Manager at Holliday Lake State Park, exciting things are happening at the park!

Did you know that Mason Neck State Park has six canoes, four solo (one-passenger) kayaks and two tandem (two-passenger) kayaks available for rental from April through October?

I just took a trip to Staunton River State Park in Scottsburg, Virginia.  While at the park I got a tour of their facilities.

It's the unofficial start of summer and one of the big three summer holidays so sometimes the reason for Memorial Day gets a little lost in our pursuit of summer happiness.

Black bears are becoming an increasingly common sight in Virginia—bears now live in almost every county!

On May 5th DGIF Nongame and Watchable Wildlife along with Agency Outreach staff were at the Norfolk Botanical Garden for the banding and transmitter fitting of nestling bald eagles by researchers at the Center for Conservation Biology.

Virginia State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with Bob Duncan, Virginia Director of Game and Inland Fisheries.

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks with Brian Heft, Park Manager at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Kick off the summer at the York River State Park Outdoor Expo.

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.

Demo of the Virginia Outdoors website

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks Tim Skinner, park manager at Sky Meadows State Park.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park Boat Ramp saw extra business last Saturday, May 1st.

False Cape State Park staff will conduct a guided exploration of Back Bay and its marshes during the evening sunset hours.

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.

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks.

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks.

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks.

Have you ever thought of running a triathlon with your kids but the opportunity was not there?  Well that opportunity is now available.

Last year 2009 my husband and I took our two kids ages 3 and 5 on their first camping trip to Staunton River State Park.

Catch a glimpse of spring along the coastal forest during the "Back Bay Kayak Paddle" hosted by False Cape State Park on Sunday, April 4 from 3pm-6pm.

I know it's almost spring because a glance at our events database show the beginning of our canoe and kayak programs.

The Best of Virginia State Parks Presents Grayson Highlands State Park.

In this episode of The Civil War Day By Day we discuss the battle of Malvern Hill.

False Cape State Park is hosting Wild Women Weekend on March 5-7, 2010 at their Environmental Education Center.

Our family LOVES a relaxing week at Claytor Lake.

Douthat State Park will begin lowering Douthat Lake beginning Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 and will begin refilling the lake on Friday, March 26, 2010.

The Park Manager at Staunton River State Park tells of how different the park and cabin guests are in the winter verses the rest of the year.

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks.In this episode, Joe talks with Bill Jacobs, Park Manager at Westmoreland State Park

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks with Warren Wahl, Assistant State Park Director

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks.In this episode, Joe talks with Mark Schuppin, Park Manager at James River State Park

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.

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.

The Civil War In Virginia, hosted by Christopher Gowin and Bobby Wilcox. In this episode: The Emergence Of Robert E Lee.

©2009 VirginiaOutdoors.com

Virginia State Parks staff met with representatives of the Halifax Saddle Club at Staunton River State Park to discuss approved funding for an equestrian campground.

Staunton River State Park is excited to announce that it will be keeping four cabins open year round starting this winter. 

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks with Dave Collett, Park Manager At Claytor Lake State Park

Regardless of whether you are a lark or owl, False Cape State Park has a kayak program right up your alley during the month of October.

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks.

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks.

The history of how Leesylvania State Park came to be.

Discover the history of the Chippokes Plantation.

A look back at how jobs were created through the building of America's State Park System.

The Civil War In Virginia, hosted by Christopher Gowin and Bobby Wilcox. In this episode: The Battle of Bull Run.

©2009 VirginiaOutdoors.com

The Civil War In Virginia, hosted by Christopher Gowin and Bobby Wilcox. In this episode: Lincoln's decision to preserve the Union.

©2009 VirginiaOutdoors.net

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks with Doug Graham who is the Park Manager at Lake Anna State Park.

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks with Nancy Heltman who is the State Parks Operations Director.

Kayaking the Potomac River from Westmoreland State Park

Activities At Bear Creek Lake State Park

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks with Ann Zahn, a District Manager for parks in south central Virginia.

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks with Charlie Conner, Park Manager at Douthat State Park.

Several state parks offer moonlight canoe tours throughout the summer, offering a fun evening of nature and the stars.

A new buoy system on the Chesapeake provides paddlers with real-time conditions as well as historic information.

The shallop is a handy boat that John Smith and those after him brought with them to Virginia.

Folks don't often spend time outdoors unless someone first takes them under their wing and shows it to them.

Fairy Stones State Park is so named for interesting geological formations

Mathews County, Rebecca Grow

Junior Ranger Program, Bear Creek Lake State Park

George Klein Fishing Report, 04/16/2009

State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks with Fred Hazlewood who is a Park Director for 5 of Virginia's State Parks.

Canoist Lillie Gilbert takes an active roll in sharing knowledge about the coast backwaters of Virginia that she works to protect.