Join us for a farewell bid to the last days of summer with a late afternoon performance by the Fort Lee Army Concert Band’s Dixie and concert ensembles.

Bear Creek Lake State Park will hold a dedication of the renovated archery range on Saturday, September 18th from 10 am to 1 pm.  Fun activities for the entire family are planned.

Applications are being accepted for special lottery deer hunts at Grayson Highlands State Park in Grayson County, Kiptopeke State Park in Northampton County, Leesylvania State Park in...

Wilderness Road State Park will host their second annual Community Appreciation Open House on Saturday, September 11 with a free lunch and a day full of entertainment beginning at 8:00 am.

Take advantage of a unique opportunity to spend three days/two nights at False Cape State Park.  Discover the great outdoors with wild food programs, guided hikes, kayak programs, campfires, and sunrises over Back Bay.

I had one of those dream childhood experiences - I had my own horse. In my memories my horse, named King (yes, after the horse in the National Velvet TV series) looked like the TV King or Black Beauty or Flicka of some other beautiful stallon.

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.

Nature Trek 360° is a partnership with the Cove Ridge Center Foundation, Scott County Schools and Natural Tunnel State Park that offers a 3 day 2 night camp for middle school students

This past June, 7 students and 2 staff left the Cove Ridge Center at Natural Tunnel State Park, heading off on the annual Virginia Is For Students Tour 2010.

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

Are you wondering what to do for the 4th of July Weekend?  Well wonder no more! Pocahontas State Park is offering outdoor activities for the entire family.

Come join the Chippokes Family on the 4th of July for a Beach Bonfire!

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!

Calling all children ages 10-12 for a week of fun, educational and entertaining activities as part of Wilderness Road State Park’s annual Junior Rangers program set for Monday, July 19 through Friday, July 23 from 9 am- 12 noon daily.

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

Are you looking for activities to keep the kids busy this summer?  The park naturalist at Pocahontas State Park has the perfect solution to every Mom’s dilemma on how to keep the kids occupied during summer break.

Pocahontas Premieres Summer Concert Series presents the Eilen Jewell Band on Saturday, June 26th at 6 p.m.

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.

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!!

Pocahontas Premieres Summer Concert Series presents the Robin Rogers Band on Saturday, June 19th at 6 p.m.

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.

Everyone looks forward to the weekend – those two days when you get a break from work and can enjoy some free time.

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.

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

Don’t miss this year’s Steam & Gas Engine Farm Festival June 5 & 6 at Chippokes Farm & Forestry Museum 868 Plantation Road, Surry VA 23883 (inside Chippokes Plantation State Park).

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.

On Saturday, June 5, 2010, High Bridge Trail State Park will host the 2nd Annual National Trails Day Celebration in celebration of American Hiking Society’s 18th Annual National Trails Day.

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

Victorian-style afternoon tea is appealing both to palate and spirit.

Discover Shenandoah at Parkfest!

Best known around the world for his abilities to make guitars, Wayne Henderson is also a talented musician.

The 2010 Gathering in the Gap music festival, which will be held at the Southwest Virginia Museum in Big Stone Gap on May 29, offers an opportunity for area musicians to test their skills in a variety of musical competitions.

This weekend Bear Creek Lake State Park will celebrate its 70th Anniversary with activities for the entire family.

The Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum’s Fourth Annual “Gathering in the Gap” takes place Saturday, May 29, on the grounds of the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.

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.

For the first time, the “Gathering in the Gap” Music Festival, which takes place at the Southwest Virginia Museum on May 29, 2010, will include a new Songwriting Contest.

Saturday, May 8th, from 8-11 PM there is another opportunity to experience one of Sky Meadows State Park most popular and entertaining programs- Astronomy for Everyone.

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.

On May 15, Bear Creek Lake State Park will celebrate its 70th Anniversary along with the grand opening of the newly renovated trail system.

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

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

Once again the Eagle Festival is coming to Mason Neck. This event, the largest Earth Day related environmental event in Northern Virginia includes exhibits from nearly 30 non-profit, environmental, historic ...

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.

Visitors to Douthat State Park lined Wilson’s Creek and Douthat’s lake in anticipation for 9 o’clock to drop their fishing lines in the water for Douthat’s first day of fee fishing on Saturday, April 3, 2010.

Think about it, you deserve a little more “me” time.

Spring comes early on the coast and with many plants have begun to grow and bloom at False Cape State Park.

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

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.

According to Wikipedia, "Cercis canadensis L. (Eastern Redbud) is a large shrub  or small tree native to eastern North America from Southern Ontario, Canada south to northern Florida."

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

Another installment in Caledon Natural Area's Volunteer Bob as he works to keep the shoreline clean

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.

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

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

Making your visit to Mason Neck State Park the most enjoyable it can be is as easy as having the right equipment. 

Located near the highest point in Virginia, Grayson Highlands State Park has a lot going for it. There are beautiful mountain views and in the summer cooler temperatures. The spring flowers bloom later and the fall colors turn earlier.

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.

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.

A trip to the beach or manual labor doing work around a Virginia State Park?  That is the choice 11 college students are making for their spring break this year.

Girls weekends are one of my favorite adventures because you never know where you’ll end up or who’ll you’ll meet, which is the fun of the weekend anyway.

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.

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

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.

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.

We are pleased to announce that we are taking reservations for the third Virginia State Parks Women's Wellness Weekend.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Being an avid horse person my entire life, during a family vacation to Virginia, a highlight of our trip was to Grayson Highlands State Park.

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

Kayaking the Potomac River from Westmoreland State Park

Virginia State Parks Camping Tips

Butterfly found in Virginia State Parks

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.

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