Virginia State Parks continued the year-long trend of record attendance with an Independence Day weekend attendance of 266,739, a 22 percent increase over last year’s previous record-high of 218,889.

For the eighth consecutive year, the 35 Virginia State Parks operated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation have been recognized by ReserveAmerica as among the nation’s best.

The Mechanicsville Riding Club has embraced the Tread Lightly! concept and is working with James River State Park to promote a good conservation ethic with all visiting equestrians.

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.

A new program has been developed to encourage membership on Virginia Outdoors.com and with the Virginia Association for Parks.

On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20, 2010, ten families from across the state of VA brought one of their most precious assets, their daughters, to Hungry Mother State Park.

As you may know, the State Parks Division is part of a larger agency, the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Maybe because I'm a girl but I always had trouble figuring out what to get my father for a gift. After all, you can only have so many ties.

For the past 2 years, along with your help, Odwalla has made a commitment to America's  state parks by donating money to help plant trees.

Gaston Rouse, his assistant Carrie McCrory, and I are spending four days at Bear Creek Lake State Park preparing 40, mostly College aged youth, to lead youth 14 to 17 year old youth in this summer's program.

There are so many things we do better in Virginia State Parks because of our loyal and large cadre of volunteers.

Our mission is to conserve the natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources of the park, as well as...

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.

Virginia State Parks had a record-setting Memorial Day weekend with new highs in attendance and revenue, and even website traffic.

Start voting for Virginia to receive trees donated by Odwalla's Plant a Tree program!

Planning a trip to your local State Park?  If so, be sure to pick up the newest copy of the Park Visitor Welcome Kit. 

Both last April and this April, some of you were introduced to Carrie Sparks at our Women’s Wellness Weekend.

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summer season for those of us in Virginia State Parks.

Today's society is more connected than ever between Twitter, Facebook, and that Blackberry you never let out of your sight.  Even helping the environment has gone hi-tech.

Big Stone Gap, VA, local woodworker and Master Craftsman Tom Dickenson saw an opportunity to preserve the history of the storied tree.

The Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park are citizen volunteers from Virginia’s Central Piedmont region that enjoy supporting the park’s mission and operation.

A big volunteer hug for volunteers from Virginia Commonwealth University.

For Earth Day, America's State Parks offer the following birthday card.

The Friends of Holliday Lake State Park will hold its second of two organizational meetings in starting a Friends group on April 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Lake 4-H Center.

Although I myself am new to geocaching, I would like to get the word out about a new and fun geocaching game that all Virginia State Parks will be launching on March 29, 2010 that will run until December 15, 2010.

In honor of the start of Spring, here are a few pictures to wet your appetite for a visit to a Virginia State Park.

Fourteen college students from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York are spending a week at Douthat State Park as an alternative spring break volunteering.

Twelve college students from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan and seven college students from Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia chose to volunteer

After a couple active snow storms this winter, the weather appears to be taking a turn for the better.

Women are looking for affordable vacations where they can leave their hectic lifestyles behind.

Conservation Officers with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation this week received accreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.

Virginia's State Parks have always been fantastic family vacation spots. The parents can relax and unwind from their normally busy vacations while the kids enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, hiking or a variety of programs offered at the park.

I just read a story that in the toughest of times, Americans are volunteering at a record rate.

I started working for Virginia State Parks in 1986 and in a long career have had the chance to get up close with wildlife and working on enhancing it.

I just went to check out the "Eagle Cam" that is set up at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens on an active nest.  This is really cool and several school groups were checking it out for education.

With shrinking budgets across our nation, one of the first things that is thought of to be cut is our parks.

Eleven volunteers from the American Hiking Society are working at Douthat State Park this week and have started their first day of trail work.

I've done a lot of tent camping in my days and still do, but every now and then I want the camping experience without the tent camping part.

Technology has been great in many ways, for instance I'm using it this very moment to communicate to an entire audience of people I don't really know.

I've been camping at a lot of Virginia State Parks, some by myself, some with a dozen or so Boy Scouts and leaders.

Almost all Virginia State Parks have some sort of body of water associated with them.

Spring has to be close now and as soon as we start having a few days in the 60's and 70's there will be a rush to get out to our great Virginia State Parks.

Del. Athey says he does not support Gov. Robert McDonnell’s plan to close state parks and says it would not save money because they are profitable.

A trip to the beach or manual labor doing work around a Virginia State Park?  That is the choice 19 college students are making for their spring break this year.

Two different volunteer groups will be spending a week of their time at Douthat State Park working on a variety of volunteer projects.

This year's theme is: "I Love Virginia State Parks." I thought you would all enjoy seeing the two television spots.

Claytor Lake State Park added to the increase in visitation with 268,472 visitors in 2009, up 19,450 visitors from 2008.

New River Trail State Park added to the increase in visitation with 960,096 visitors in 2009, up 8,104 visitors from 2008.

Douthat State Park added to the increase in visitation with 205,654 visitors in 2009, up 10,090 visitors from 2008.

Virginia State Parks kicked off the promotional show season with the Washington Camping and RV Show (Jan. 15-17) at the Dulles Expo Center.

Arizona sold a dozen state buildings on a lease back arrangement just this week to try and make up their $2 billion deficit. On Friday the decision was made to close 21 of the 30 state parks to help close the gap.

One aspect of the recession is that tight pocketbooks send families looking for lower cost vacation alternatives.

This is the second of a four-part series about what we do in parks during the off-season, Part II

A survey done by the NASPD (National Association of State Park Directors) have shown some great results.

Unfortunately, with all the traveling, shopping, cooking, and general hustle and bustle of the season, families are often too busy to really connect with each other during the holiday season.

Each year all state park employees participate in the Virginia State Park's FOCUS for Excellence customer service training program.

I have mentioned before that we are deeply indebted to our volunteers in Virginia State Parks.

This is the first of a four-part series about what we do in parks during the off-season.

Our Agency held two employee recognition events in the last month to honor employees who have made special contributions to Virginia State Parks.

Discussion between Virgininia State Parks Director Joe Elton and Walter Wright from the Friends of Pocahontas State Park.

Discussion between Virgininia State Parks Director Joe Elton and John Tamminger from the Friends of Hungry Mother State Park.

A special “volunteer hug” goes out to a group of volunteers from Longwood University’s Greek Society.

If you are a shopping hater like me, or have folks on your gift list that love Virginia State Parks, we have cyber options for you!

With a few basic preparations, you and your family can enjoy winter hiking at Holliday Lake State Park or any state park in Virginia.

Discussion between Virgininia State Parks Director Joe Elton and Herb Distefano from the Friends of Lake Anna State Park.

This year, Virginia State Parks has 13 of their State Parks offering special programs to celebrate the holiday season.

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.

Tom takes time to share highlights of his visits to Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, Wilderness Road State Park, Natural Tunnel State Park, Grayson Highlands State Park and Hungry Mother State Park.

False Cape State Park invites the entire family for a fun-filled weekend of hiking and exploring Virginia’s Outer Banks while discovering tricks and tips on how to survive in the wilderness.

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

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.

Johhny Finch, President, Virginia Association for Parks (VAFP) announces rennovation of VAFP website, its new companion virginiaoutdoors.net and dates and location for the 2010 Spring Conference.

Explore what the Virginia State Parks have to offer.

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

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy.

Virginia Beach is a great destination year round and First Landing State Park makes an excellent base for visiting that resort city and the surrounding cities.

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

Apple Day, a Celebration of Appalachian Heritage at Douthat State Park is just around the corner on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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.

National Association of State Park Directors Honor Individuals for Enhancing Parks

Virgil S. Possum explores the Virginia State Parks and tells tales of his adventures.

Virginia State Parks soon to launch a great new program “Trail Quest – Explore Virginia State Parks One Step at a Time”.

Virginia State Parks Camping Tips

Director designate Jon Jarvis testified at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources yesterday morning. The text of his opening statement follows.

Butterfly found in Virginia State Parks

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

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.

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