Big Country 101 Annual Back to School Beach Bash was held on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, beginning at 11 a.m. at Douthat State Park.

A visitor contributed blog by Vel Allard from Wakefield, Virginia

Maybe you didn't notice but the unique to Virginia State Parks Archery Range at Bear Creek Lake State Park had been closed for the past few months.

With sweat rolling down their faces over 200 Royal Canin USA associates broke ground on the new playground and walking track, now known as Royal Canin Park

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.

The Twelfth Annual Douthat State Park Arts and Crafts Fair will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Discovery Center.

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's no better way to end a work week than to drive to the Eastern Shore for a camping trip at Kiptopeke State Park.

Great music is on the way as Ronnie Reno and the Reno Tradition headline the 16th annual Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition.

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

The 54th Basic Law Enforcement class graduated from Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy in Salem VA on Wednesday May 26, 2010.

With Memorial Day Weekend upon us, the unofficial kickoff of summer is here and with it comes camping.

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.

Snakehead fish in Virginia.

Part of our "Fishing 101" series, this video outlines a few of the essential things you'll need for your fishing trip.

Part of our "Fishing 101" series, this video demonstrates how to tie a Palomar knot.

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

Bedford Parks & Recreation Departments will host their annual Youth Fishing Clinic on Saturday, June 5th at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston. Event is free and open to children ages six through fourteen.

Join park staff for the first annual "Adult Saltwater Fishing Fanatic Tournament"  at York River State Park in Williamsburg.

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.

Virginia State Parks has joined in a partnership with several agencies including, Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Tourism and numerous County Tourism Agencies to promote fishing in Southwest Virginia.

Local schools were invited to participate in Douthat State Park’s Twelfth Annual Earth Day Celebration which was held on Friday, April 16, 2010.

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.

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.

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

My trip to Occoneechee State Park was well worth the two hour drive to Clarksville, Virginia.

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.

Looking for a change in venue now that spring has finally come to the Eastern Shore of Virginia?

Jo and Johnny Finch, stalwart friends and volunteers for Virginia State Parks, are also Friends of Lake Anna State Park (Jo is President the Friends Group and Johnny is President of the Virginia Association for Parks).

Working at Mason Neck State Park can be dramatic even on rainy, gloomy days.

After writing this morning's post about rain showers bringing spring wild flowers to Mason Neck State Park, I couldn't resist going to look for early flowers myself.

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.

Last week I started a weekly series on recommending other great websites for readers of this blog similar to the Twitter tradition called #FollowFriday. Today's recommendation is The Blue Ridge Parkway.

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

The old American Express slogan "Don't Leave Home Without it" came to mind today when my husband called with the news.

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 use my vast knowledge of Virginia State Parks that I acquired since I started in 1986, to take Troop 340 out for fun and to learn about the great outdoors.

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

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.

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

At a time when we could sure use the revenue and our visitors sure could use an escape from cabin fever, the winter weather has conspired to put a damper on early spring camping.

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

This past weekend I went to Douthat State Park and stayed in one of the original CCC log cabins built in the 1930's. 

For those of you that grew up camping, do you remember how good food tasted cooked outside over a campfire?  Wasn’t it the best?

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

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.

On Friday, December 11, the Fish Virginia First steering committee met at beautiful Douthat Lake View Restaurant at Douthat State Park.

Everyone knows what rocks and whoppers are, don’t they? Did you answer a rock is a stone and a whopper is a juicy hamburger? Normally you would be correct, but we’re not talking about the same things now.

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

Douthat State Park is offering an ornament making contest for students through Monday, December 14, 2009.

Fairy Stone State Park is truly at a mountain lake. For those flat landers this means trees, wildlife, rocky outcroppings,fresh air and NO SHARKS!

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.

Fall is a gorgeous time to visit Mason Neck State Park.

The Friends of Hungry Mother will again be sponsoring Hungry Mother State Park’s Fall Fear Bike Race on Oct 24, 2009.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the history of the Chippokes Plantation.

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.

Autumn is a great time to explore nature in Mason Neck State Park.

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.

Jason Ring to perform at Douthat State Park this Saturday, Sept 5

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.

Summer is the best time of year for star gazing, programs available at Belle Isle State Park.

Pocahontas Premieres featuring Page Wilson with Recklass Abandon, Marna & Macy and Li'l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes

A day of fun in the sun is had at the annual Back to School Beach Bash at Douthat State Park.

Kayaking the Potomac River from Westmoreland State Park

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

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.

Activities At Bear Creek Lake State Park

Junior Ranger programs will continue this week at Occoneechee State Park. Students who attend all eight sessions will earn a Junior Ranger badge.

Butterfly found in Virginia State Parks

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.

Virginia has more national parks and monuments than almost every other state in the U.S., and there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Kiptopeke will feature the Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife Festival in September, and birdwatchers the world over will be on hand.

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

Mathews County, Rebecca Grow

George Klein Fishing Report, 04/16/2009

Summer may be half over, but there are still lots of programs at Belle Isle State Park.