The Art League of Marion invites you to attend a weekend of arts, crafts, entertainment and food.

Independence Day, an American holiday through and through!  A perfect excuse to gather the family and have a cookout, vacation on the beach, or visit one of the many historic areas in Virginia as we celebrate the birth of our great country!

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!!

Surprises come in all different packages, this particular day the surprise came wrapped in bright blue eyes and a sweet smile!

American cellist, pianist, and composer Dave Eggar will be appearing at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, on Tuesday, June 29.

We are revamping the interpretive information at False Cape State Park.  So far, we've changed the names of trails to reflect the park's cultural and natural history...

Snakes seem to get a bad rap for one reason or another.  Personally, I am a great admirer of snakes.  Sure, some could be dangerous when provoked, but that could be said about most wildlife.

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.

Saturday, June 5th is the 22nd Annual Clean the Bay Day sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

On Saturday, June 5, come down to the river for food, fun, and culture. This daylong event at will take place at Staunton River Battlefield State Park from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The Hillsman Farm House Museum located at Sailor’s Creek Historical State Park will be open during the summer starting Wednesday, June 2nd.

On May 15, 2010 Leesylvania State Park was host to 52 Wounded Warriors from local hospitals that came out fishing as part of the Potomac River Wounded Heroes Spring Bass Challange II.

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.

You load up a pile of firewood in your truck and haul it to your campsite to burn during your stay. Sounds like a cost saving idea since the park will charge you for wood.

Interested in Virginia's reptiles and amphibians? This fun new "A Look Outside" series of videos tracks a group of cub scouts as they learn about spotted salamanders, canebrake rattlesnakes, wood turtles and more!

Interested in Virginia's reptiles and amphibians? This fun new "A Look Outside" series of videos tracks a group of cub scouts as they learn about spotted salamanders, canebrake rattlesnakes, wood turtles and more!

A healthy and feisty Bald Eagle is released on April 13th by Ed Clark, President of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

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.

Saturday May 15th was a beautiful spring day and just perfect for Bear Creek Lake State Park's 70th Anniversary Celebration.

After researching Odwalla's Plant a Tree program I thought maybe I should share some of the benefits of trees to everyone.

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.

On Saturday my wife and I headed down to Occoneechee to attend the Native American Heritage Festival (Pow Wow).

As a child I enjoyed crocheting. It probably started with one of those pot holder weaving kits when I was even younger, but I enjoyed the feel of the yarn and the satisfaction of being creative.

One of the benefits of being the Information Manager for State Parks is to be aware of the many events that take place at all of our parks.

Demo of the Virginia Outdoors website

The weather at Belle Isle State Park on Friday, April 23 was perfect for about 180 kids to celebrate Earth Day. This event was held in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay Governors School.

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.

Last weekend twenty-four educators became the students at Leesylvania State Park. Chief Ranger Sarah Phillips, organized the teacher training event and invited local teachers to participate.

Last night I read an article from CNN's SciTech Blog (Children and Nature Network tweeted it) about the new Boy Scout Video Game Badge.

Governor Bob McDonnell visited Leesylvania State Park last week for an Earth Day event.

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.

A little bad weather didn’t stop the volunteers at Leesylvania State Park from doing their best for Earth Day.

Find out how coastal plants were used by American Indians for fiber, food, and other crafts.

Take a scenic tram ride through Back Bay national Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park to teh site of the historic Wash Woods community in what is now False Cape State Park.

I could not think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day than spending the afternoon with Virginia’s Governor Bob McDonnell and students in the park planting trees.

Virginia State Parks Director Joe Elton attended the White House Conference on America's Great Outdoors on April 16, 2010.

This year’s "Raid" at Martin's Station promises to be the best yet and will be held May 7-9, 2010 at Wilderness Road State Park.

Discover ways to find directions using nature as a guide, learn how to use a compass, and how to use a GPS as a wayfinding tool.

Take a scenic tram ride through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park to the site of the historic Wash Woods community in what is now False Cape State Park.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap, VA honors the coming of Spring and Virginia Garden Week with a day-long event, “A Celebration of Spring,” Saturday, April 24, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

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.

When many people think of a quilt, they envision something that you throw on a bed to help keep warm on a wintery night or something you cuddle up under when you’re under the weather.

A warm 70-degree afternoon set the perfect Spring stage for our first-ever rain barrel workshop at Wilderness Road State Park

Of course, since I'm a native Virginian, I already knew that the Dogwood is the state flower and tree of Virginia.

When visiting the Hillsman Farm House Museum you’ll have the opportunity to see the results of the recent transformation from abandoned house to a museum.

In Part I of Turning a Farm House into a Museum we learned to accurately recreate the physical surroundings numerous primary sources exist to help us understand how the house was furnished following...

Spring weather is finally here at Mason Neck State Park, and with warmer days we see not only more park visitors but more park wildlife.  We also see many visitors exploring nature for the first time.

After extensive research and consulting with experts, the mystery of what the Hillsman farm house resembled in 1865 is close to being solved.

False Cape State Park sits on property that was once the Wash Woods community of Virginia.

History runs deep in the heart of Southwest Virginia, through the Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky.

Plans are being finalized for a milestone event at Wilderness Road State Park.  This year mark's the 10th anniversary of the Raid at Martin's Station, the park's annual signature event that has...

Wilderness Road State Park is about as far as you can go in Virginia without leaving the State.

My thoughts are turning more and more towards spring and summer. Maybe it's a touch of  spring fever. Growing up in San Diego, I never really experienced the fever until recent years spent in Virginia.

When you enter the new visitor center at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park you’ll have the opportunity to see a magnificent painting by Virginian, Sidney E. King.

I love electricity, it powers just about everything I do at home and allows me to keep working well past dark. My kids love it too, they watch television, play video games, use the computer, etc.

Join us at Pocahontas State Park during National Wildlife Week, March 15th –21st, for outdoor nature programs that will introduce you and your family to the wildlife found in the park.

Spring is just a short time away and many people are already planning their vegetable and flower gardens.  Their biggest obstacle throughout the year is water or, to be more precise, lack thereof.

Enjoy the outdoors and want to do something new? Now you can enjoy looking for treasures hidden within Kiptopeke State Park as part of the Star Spangled Banner Geotrail.

Virginia State Parks is home to a park whose black history dates back to the depression era and the civil rights movement of the 50s.

Our Friends Groups are all about supporting our state parks. The Friends of Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park demonstrated their support for the park by donating funds they have raised in support of two important projects.

As Winter sets in I can’t help but reflect how quickly Fall passed. As with each season there are always regrets and always delights to be tucked away.

Come on out to False Cape for an outdoor adventure in a wild winter wonderland.

The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.

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 considered Virginia's Outer Banks.  It's barrier spit island stretches south from Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Sandbridge, Virginia to the North Carolina border.

False Cape State Park is offering an Winter Woods Walk on Saturday, Feb. 7th from 1pm-4pm.

No place in America suffered civil war in more ways than did Virginia.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

Karl Harris, who renovated "Karlan" bought the property sometime in the '50s.

Besides a love for the great outdoors, it turned out I found a second love, the weather.

I also received a love of nature through a great upbringing by my parents and grandparents.

Nice title to chapter 2, could be a good television show someday.

The second great event in my life to help mold my career was when my Dad built us a cottage in the woods on Pymatuning Lake near Linesville, Pennsylvania the year I was born, as a place to escape the big city lights and noise of Cleveland.

Readers you are in for a treat as Tom Cervenak, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, weaves the story of how he came to work for parks and what his career has been like.

As part of a new initiative, Virginia State Parks is using GPS technology to redesign our trail maps to more accurately reflect current conditions.

Hundreds of visitors traveled to Wilderness Road State Park on December 4th and 5th to witness Christmas Past and Present, a unique look at our most popular holiday.

If you were in Leesylvania State Park on the morning of Saturday, November 21, you might have seen a sight that is increasingly rare these days: children having fun while being active outside.

Leesylvania Elementary school children were invited to get outside and experience Northern Virginia nature on Nov. 21, 2009 at the Turkey Trot.

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park will host “A Ceremony on Hallowed Ground” to commemorate Veterans Day.

Claytor Lake State Park and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are hosting a Youth Deer Hunting Workshop on Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19.

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

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

©2009 VirginiaOutdoors.com

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

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

Discover an event 400 years in the making.

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

Come explore the rich history of Wilderness Road State Park

Discover the history of the Chippokes Plantation.

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

Although the smallest Virginia State Park, the Southwest Virginia Museum State Park is packed with facinating historical treasures worth taking the time to explore.

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

Virginia State Parks Director Joe Elton was elected president of the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) at the NASPD annual meeting this week.

Innovative program that’s getting kids to check their sap buckets before checking their emails.

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.

MSNBC Profiles the Wildlife Center of Virginia. This video from MSNBC features the National Wildlife Federation's Doug Inkley:

The latest exhibit upgrade at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park mixes new technology with historic artifacts to give visitors an in-depth look at the story of coal mining in Southwest Virginia.

Captivating visitor's attention by utilizing state of the art storytellers and the latest in new media technology, the stories of Confederate and Union soldiers will bring history to life inside a dimensional set.

The Legend of the name of Hungry Mother State Park and the history of her creation.

National Park Service and Virginia State Parks getting together to take on the collective challenge to get our children and families in to the outdoors.

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.

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

A brand new visitor center will open at the historic Sailors Creek Battlefield State Park this summer.

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

Fairy Stones State Park is so named for interesting geological formations

The annual Raid at Martin's Station provides one of the most realistic historic reenactments in the country May 8-10.

Legend has it that a Union payroll of gold was buried near Fairfax and never recovered.  Could it still be there after all these years?

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

Moonlight canoe ride on the Staunton River

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.

A plantation has been sacked; burnt to the ground with nothing left but ruins. Legend has it that the souls of the innocent still roam these woods every fall in search of revenge!

After this unspeakable accident years ago, they say the trainsman still roams the tracks at night waving a red lantern. What is his ghost trying to overcome?

The story of how the term Saved by the Bell originated.

The story of Rebecca's Revenge, a woman put to death in 1705 for practicing witchcraft, who is still haunting the area today.

The story of Richard's Haunted House, built in 1856 just prior to the Civil War and taken down in 1975 when all old, insignificant structures in the park were knocked down and destroyed by fire as the Parks facilities were being built.

A crew of ten participants were chosen from current high school students 14 to 17 years-old who demonstrated an interest in protecting Virginia’s environment.

Interested in Virginia's reptiles and amphibians? This fun new "A Look Outside" series of videos tracks a group of cub scouts as they learn about spotted salamanders, canebrake rattlesnakes, wood turtles and more!