Camping in State Parks

Wilderness Road State Park Represented Well at Cultural Heritage Commission Meeting

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Michael Brindle

Wilderness Road State Park manager Jonathan Tustin and park concessions manager Mike Brindle attended a meeting of the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission in Jonesville, Virginia on Thursday, March 11. The meeting was held in order to give input to the Commission concerning the cultural assets in Lee County. Wilderness Road State Park and several of its facilities and features were well represented in the meeting, and were among the most popular county assets, as voted on by the participants in the meeting.

The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission, chaired by Senator William C. Wampler, Jr., was established by the 2008 General Assembly and appointed by Governor Timothy Kaine to encourage economic development through cultural heritage ventures and initiatives related to tourism and other asset-based enterprises throughout the 19-county, 4-city region.

The Commission, staffed through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, is coordinating the development of Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway, currently under construction alongside Interstate 81 next to Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon. This regional centerpiece and its electronic counterpart, a new Southwest Virginia website, will serve as gateways to the stunning cultural and natural resources that define Southwest Virginia for residents and our visitors.

Cultural assets, such as those provided by Wilderness Road State Park and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, were identified and placed in the inventory to help tell the regional story through the website and in travel itineraries from Heartwood. The inventory builds on the work of The Crooked Road and ’Round the Mountain, also overseen by the Commission. While those organizations are busy inventorying and promoting the region’s heritage music and craft traditions, this committee is identifying physical sites of broad historic, outdoor recreational, and scenic interest in the region.

Historic Martin’s Station, the Karlan Mansion, the Wilderness Road Trail and the park itself were identified as assets that can help tell Lee County’s stories of: The Frontier, the Westward Migration, the Civil War, Recreational Venues and Scenic Vistas.

Tustin was elected Chairperson of the Lee County committee whose responsibility it is to now nominate 6 assets to be exploited by the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission and the Heartwood complex.

Peaceful time

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Virginia State Park Visitors

A visitor post from Jeannie Westmoreland, Richmond, Virginia

New Years Eve we got away...My husband & I with Our yellow Lab (Chester) went to Bear Creek State Park.. First time there.. and it was beautiful...Snow still covered the ground and the peaceful mornings drinking hot tea over looking the lake was breathtaking. Our cabin overlooked the lake,which was beautiful every morning and evening. Just listening to the woods come alive every morning and seeing the sunrise was a moment I will never forget! Our Lab had a wonderful time walking the trails with his master. While I had time too read and do a little writing. Our long weekend was just beautiful,magical and something you would find only in dreams. The peaceful walks along the lake to the breathetaking sunsets. You will never find that in the city. If I can take one thing from this trip ..It would be "Life will never be able to exist without nature"....I can not wait to return for another wonderful vacation.

Bear Creek Lake State Park Waterview Cabin in the Snow

New Painting to be Unveiled at 10th Anniversary Raid at Martin's Station

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Michael Brindle

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 grown leaps and bounds since its humble beginnings.

In April of 2000, the first Raid at Martin's Station was held before a moderate crowd of spectators gathered along a split-rail fence. They watched as Capt. Ebenezer Titus and Capt. Joseph Martin commanded a small band of militia as they fought to save Martin's outpost from being burned to the ground by a scanty tribe of restless natives. That event featured less than 70 re-enactors, 12 vendors and 1 lonely cabin.

This May 7-9, 2010, more than 700 re-enactors and 40-plus vendors are expected to re-create the Raid at Martin's Station before a crowd that last year was estimated at over 3,000. Also, that 1 lonely cabin has now been joined by another small cabin, a blacksmith and gunsmith shop, a hunter's cabin, pig pen, spring house and of course the fort, which contains 6 cabins inside its palisade walls.

To honor the park, the Raid at Martin’s Station’s tenth anniversary and to those patriots who sacrificed their lives for liberty, Dann Jacobus is in the process of creating a painting of Joseph Martin’s return from the Cherokee campaign. The painting will be unveiled during the opening ceremonies of the Raid at Martin's Station.

"I started working with Dann just over a year ago to develop a painting that would depict Joseph Martin and his men returning from a campaign, worn and tired," stated park interpretive program manager Billy Heck. "This painting will pay tribute to the park staff and volunteers that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make the park and the fort such a success. I chose Dann for this project because I think his paintings are among the best I've seen and he has shown his support for the park and Martin's Station with his previous paintings of staff and volunteers."

Jacobus received his formal fine art education in New York. After his military service years, when he served as photographer and illustrator for the Army newspaper in Okinawa, Jacobus focused his artwork towards books and magazines on hunting, fishing and the outdoors.

History has always been of major interest for Jacobus, and his art moved in that direction when he began re-enacting and participating in living history events years ago. In creating his paintings, he draws from his research and outdoor experiences and blends them into his current work. He is a member of the NMLRA, the Contemporary Longrifle Association, the Honorable Company of Horners, the Lafayette Longrifles, the NRA and various other reenacting groups. He lives in Fuquay Farina, NC.

For more information on Wilderness Road State Park, the Raid at Martin's Station or Dann Jacobus, please call 275-445-3065.

Interpretive Sign Captures Dark and Bloody Ground!

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Michael Brindle

History runs deep in the heart of Southwest Virginia, through the Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky. To help preserve that history, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park interpreter Pam Eddy and Wilderness Road State Park concessions manager Mike Brindle have collaborated on a piece of artwork that captures the very essence of the westward movement.

This massive interpretive sign will be made of metal with the notch of the fabled Cumberland Gap very noticeable in its overall design. It measures 10 feet by 10 feet, with the rich red sunset, spirits of the Cherokee warriors, and the settlers heading west led by Daniel Boone capturing “The Dark and Bloody Ground,” the name given Kentucky at the time of settlement in the mid-eighteenth century. Northern and southern Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee and Shawnee, had long fought over this region, known for its rich hunting grounds, favored salt licks and bountiful fresh water springs.

When Richard Henderson of the Transylvania Land Company signed the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals in 1775, purchasing the land known as Kentucky from the Cherokee, Daniel Boone was taken aside by a Cherokee Chief, whom he had grown familiar with, and told, “Brother, we have sold you a fine land, but you will have much trouble in settling it, for I have seen a dark cloud over that land.” Fiery Chief Dragging Canoe also warned they had secured a dark and bloody ground.

“When Pam first approached me about the idea of creating this wonderful interpretive sign, I listened to her description and immediately pictured this scene in my mind,” stated Brindle. “Using Photoshop, I took various photos of interpreters in period costume, combined them with a brilliant red sunset, the distant mountain terrain and added ‘see-through’ spirits of two Cherokee Warriors, watching over the settlers heading westward. We have a wonderful partnership with the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and this project is just another example of our combined effort to interpret the Wilderness Road and the amazing history we are blessed with in this area.”

For more information on Wilderness Road State Park, call the park office at 276-445-3065, and for more information on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, call 606-248-2817.

State park and natural area preserve officers receive state accreditation

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

Official Department of Conservation and Recreation Press Release

Department of Conservation and Recreation first statewide agency accredited

Conservation Officers with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation this week received accreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission. DCR joins several universities and the Capitol Police as one of only five state agencies with this certification. With 37 offices across the commonwealth DCR is the first Virginia agency with statewide coverage to be recognized by the commission. Virginia State Police are accredited by a national organization.

The VLEPSC considers state accreditation the best measure of an agency’s compliance with professional law enforcement standards. The commission consists of Virginia sheriffs and police chiefs selected for their expertise and knowledge. Accreditation increases the law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services to the community it serves. Approximately 80 law enforcement agencies, primarily local sheriffs and police departments, have earned this recognition.

The VLEPSC looks at 187 management standards as a part of their review. These range from handling of routine traffic citations to procedures for storing evidence. The agency must also prove compliance with each of the standards. A team of independent certified assessors from other law enforcement agencies review files, interview staff and inspect facilities to determine qualification for certification. The accreditation took DCR three years and is good for four years.

“Our law enforcement staff is to be commended for voluntarily embarking on this extensive and rigorous evaluation,” said DCR’s State Parks Director Joe Elton. “This massive effort was undertaken to ensure that Virginia State Parks continue to be safe places for the family to enjoy the outdoors.”

DCR has 108 conservation officers in 37 locations across the state. These officers have jurisdiction over 35 state parks and 61 natural area preserves.

Law enforcement staff at Douthat State Park

Extreme Fishing

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

My father took me fishing some when I was a girl and I found it a nice, relaxing time spent with my dad in the outdoors. We made fishing poles out of a stick and string, added a hook and some bait, and stuck the pole in a small lake or pond. I was just as happy to not catch anything.

I have been to a bass tournament and I have seen videos with folks reeling in giant fish after a long fight with the fish. But, I never imagined fishing could be called "extreme." Well, that was before I discovered Kayak Kevin and kayak fishing. Kevin often uses Kiptopeke State Park as a base camp for his Chesapeake Bay Kayak Fishing. He recently spent a few weeks in December at the park finalizing his latest video: "Kayak Fishing the Chesapeake Bay."

Here is a piece Kevin did promoting our park and the fishing opportunities.

That video gives you a tiny taste of what kayak fishing is all about. This trailer for his new video gives you an even better idea.

This video is now out and it is amazing. You can order it right off his site. If you still doubt whether fishing can be extreme, you need to get this video. If the fishing was not extreme enough, Kevin and his crew are also doing all of the photography.

If you're ready for the challenge, contact Kevin at his website. If not, you can spend a lazy day fishing from our pier or launch your boat and motor around the concrete ships for some more tame pursuits.

I don't know about you, but I will never think of fishing the same way again.

Spring Floats

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

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

Belle Isle State Park, Lancaster, Virginia

4/10/10 Grand Ole Osprey Canoe Trip
4/24/10 Sunset Canoe Trip
4/24/10 Full Moon Kayak Trip
4/30/10 Full Moon Canoe Trip

False Cape State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia

4/04/10 Afternoon Kayak Paddle
4/11/10 Afternoon Kayak Paddle
4/18/10 Afternoon Kayak Paddle
4/24/10 Afternoon Kayak Paddle

Holliday Lake State Park, Appomattox, Virginia

4/03/10 Canoe Tour
4/10/10 Canoe Tour
4/17/10 Owl Call Canoe Tour

Canoes are ready to go at Belle Isle State Park

American Hiking Society Still Working Hard at Douthat State Park

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Jaimie Lomasney

Tuscarora Overlook before volunteers cleared away brush.

Halfway through the work week and eleven volunteers from the American Hiking Society are still working hard at Douthat State Park doing trail work.

The group of volunteers were split up into two groups today to meet at Tuscarora Overlook, a scenic view of Douthat State Park, to clear trails along the way and clear brush around the overlook. Nine trees were cleared off the trails on the way up to the overlook and several hundred feet were cleared around the viewing area of Tuscarora Overlook.

Douthat State Park employees John Nicely and David Reynolds are leading the group this week through the volunteer projects.

Volunteers clearing brush at Tuscarora Overlook

The group of volunteers consist of: Brad and Jeanie Newcomer from Hagerstown, Md.; Brian Merrill from Depew, N.Y.; Caroline Neff from Fairfield, Ill.; Dan Krull from Washington, Va.; Greta Steber from Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Sandra Hart from Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Jenna MacFarlene from Charlotte, N.C.; Thomas Jones from Hawley, Pa.; Libby Wile from Arlington, Va.; and Tina Temple from Owensboro, Ky.

Any one interested in volunteering at Douthat State Park needs to contact the main office at 540-862-8100.

For general park information go to www.virginiastateparks.gov, contact the park office at 540-862-8100 or email Douthat State Park at Douthat@dcr.virginia.gov. Douthat is located at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, Va. 24460.

Volunteers and Park Employees after finished clearing brush at Tuscarora Overlook.

Follow Friday - Virginia Tourism

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

If you read my blog posts, you will know I am rather fond of Twitter. In fact the term "twitterholic" has been used to describe my level of enthusiasm. You might also think based on my tendency to go on and on in my posts here that the 140 character limit on Twitter may be a problem for me. Well, I adapt.

So what does Twitter have to do with this post? Well there is a really nice Twitter custom called Follow Friday. On Fridays Twitterers around the globe recommend other Twitter users to their followers. Sometimes there are long lists in multiple tweets. Sometimes it's one or two with a mention as to why you recommend them. I think it is a great custom and decided it might be fun to share it in our blog only not for Twitter but for other blogs or websites that I want to recommend to you.

Of course we would love for you to do all of your outdoor recreation in our Virginia State Parks but hey I'm a realist. Also, when you visit a state park it's not like we lock you in and you don't ever leave during your stay. Our parks are often convenient and affordable places to stay so that you can visit and see the sites in the area around the parks. So, I am going to recommend on a weekly basis one or more blogs or websites that might be of interest to folks traveling in Virginia or other outdoor recreation destinations.

For my first recommendation, it has to be the Virginia Tourism website. They've just redone the look and layout of their site and it is jam packed with great ideas on where to go and what to see throughout the state. While you're there, enter to win one of four complete vacation packages. The Heart of Appalachia Package includes a stay at Hungry Mother State Park. Be sure you say "Appalachia" correctly with the third syllable pronounced "latch" and just forget you see that letter i.

Hopefully you have noticed that our theme this year is "I Love Virginia State Parks" which meshed nicely with Virginia's award winning slogan (now 40 years old) "Virginia is for Lovers." Be sure and check out the electronic version of their travel guide. There is so much to see and do in Virginia and this website is a great start for trip planning!

Be sure to check back each Friday for other recommendations of websites and blogs.

Women’s Wellness Weekend Caters to Mind, Body & Spirit

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Zoe Rogers

Women are looking for affordable vacations where they can leave their hectic lifestyles behind. A three day weekend is just what the mind needs. Women’s Wellness Weekends at Virginia State Parks is just that place; we offer a picturesque setting where women can unwind and regain balance in their lives.

Our wellness weekends offer a wide variety of workshops and outdoor activities for women of all ages. Women participating in the upcoming weekend in April will enjoy activities such as fly fishing, yoga, aromatherapy, hiking, and kayaking.

The weekend begins on Friday, April 23rd with registration at 3 p.m. and ends Sunday, April 25th at noon. And it’s affordable. Share your stay with friends or make new ones. You can also bring you RV or camp in the campground. No matter where you stay you’ll have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty and the scenic views of Fairy Stone State Park. So call your girlfriends and make your plans today. Call our reservation center at 800-933-7275, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit our website at www.virginiastateparks.gov.

If you’re unable to attend this weekend, our next Women’s Wellness Weekend will be held in October at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County.

Historical Painting Adorns Visitor Center

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Zoe Rogers

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. The painting depicts the moment that Union General Frank Wheaton troops descend the hill and prepare to cross Little Sailors Creek while Major Andrew Cowan’s twenty guns bombarded Confederate General Ewell’s position from the yard of the Hillsman farm house. The painting was once displayed in the yard of the Hillsman farm house until it was placed in storage to await restoration. A few weeks ago, it found its permanent home in the visitor center.

Mr. King painted nearly 200 historical murals for National Park Service properties. He lived in Caroline County until his death in 2002 at the age of 95.

Fairy Stone State Park - Magically Delightful

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

Sometimes I marvel at how I get my ideas for blog posts. I get an email with the "Lens of the Day" from Squidoo (neat stuff by the way). Today's title was "Purple Star Awards." I confess I haven't read the post yet but it made me think of Lucky Charms Cereal. Then I thought, "Hey it's almost St. Patrick's Day" and then I decided it was time to do a blog about Fairy Stone. Not sure what this says about my creative process.

The connection between St. Patrick's Day and Fairy Stone is a little more obvious. Fairy Stone State Park is located in Patrick County. Okay, so Patrick County has nothing to do with St. Patrick. Once in Virginia there was a giant county called Patrick Henry County named after that famous Virginia forefather. In 1791 they split the county into Patrick and Henry counties.

In addition to the tenuous "Patrick" connection, the story behind the park's name sake involves fairies and wee people right out of Irish folklore. Fairy Stones are naturally formed staurolite crystals that form cross-like shapes. The Captain John Smith/Pocahontas legend talks about Pocahontas giving Captain John Smith a necklace of lucky fairy stones. Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as well as Charles Linberg and Thomas Edison reportedly carried the crosses for luck. If you have jewelry made out of the crosses (and we sell some at the park), a lot of work went into making the rough stones into crosses appropriate for jewelry.

While nothing beats a good fairy stone hunt, the real magic of Fairy Stone State Park is the more than 4,600 acres which makes this park an outdoor paradise. The park is situated on Fairy Stone Lake which was created by damming Goblintown Creek. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the park infrastructure and Fairy Stone opened June 15, 1936 as one of the six original Virginia State Parks.

A CCC Log Cabin at Fairystone State Park

Today the park features a campground with great views, twenty-five cabins with some lakefront, a family lodge that sleeps 16 people, Fayerdale Hall Conference Center, and a seasonal swimming beach. There are nine miles of multi-use trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding as well as about six miles of hiking only trail. The 168 acre lake offers great fishing (no gasoline powered boats allowed). The park rents rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks and canoes on a seasonal basis.

The swimming beach is loaded with fun for the kids

For camping and cabin reservations, call our reservation center at 800-933-7275 or book on line.

Picnic on the Potomac

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Cyndi Juarez

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. And this year the symptoms are even stronger than ever. So naturally, I'm thinking more about being outside and to me that means picnics.

My son and I had our first picnic of 2010 just last week-end. It really wasn't much of a picnic we were on the back deck but we were excited just to be outside and not freezing.

One of my favorite picnic spots though just happens to be in a Virginia state park.

Designated as Prince William County’s Most Scenic Spot by a newspaper reader’s poll, Leesylvania State Park exceeds its well deserved reputation. Located just thirty miles south of Washington D. C. and situated on the shores of the mighty Potomac River, Leesylvania is a breathtaking picnicking location.

You can enjoy scenic views of the river from abundant picnic tables in the park’s designated picnic area. The picnic area at Leesylvania offers lots of parking, a fun playground for the children and a shady, quiet respite for all from the busy world.

Free standing grills are located in each of the secluded picnic sites and you will immediately notice the delicious smell of barbecue on warm summer days.

The park also offers picnic shelter rentals for groups wishing to reserve a space in advance. The shelters are very clean and offer a unique location for special events and picnics.

Some park visitors also enjoy hiking the numerous trails in the park and having a relaxing lunch on a trail-side bench.

I often take my lunch to the sandy beach area and watch the birds and boats along the Potomac River.

So start planning your special outings now and wherever you choose to picnic in this beautiful park I am sure you will make memories that will last a lifetime.

Weddings-Wilderness Road Style

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

Wilderness Road State Park is about as far as you can go in Virginia without leaving the State. But I can tell you it is well worth the ride, with a reproduction of Martin's Station, a supply fort for many before heading out West into hostile territory. Period actors work their crafts in front of you just as they would have in the 1700's. Park Manager Jon Tustin and his staff have worked very hard to now offer a first rate facility for weddings and receptions. Karlan Mansion built in the 1870's has been restored to some of its' luster of yesteryear. The grounds outside this historic building is a great place for a wedding ceremony with the old Oak trees along the front lawn. Inside there is plenty of room for a nice reception with breathtaking mountain views from the many windows. Best of all, Virginia State Parks remain an affordable family destination.

Nature's Fireworks about to Hit

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

Goodbye Old Man Winter, boy you were tough this year. This past week we got a little taste of spring with temperatures in the 60's and low 70's and it sure felt good. Now we are getting some showers and we all know what that will bring, spring flowers. Some of your earliest blooms are starting to pop up and open like the Crocus. For my money though, I like the trees when they explode like a Forth of July show. Shortly the Redbud with its purple petite flowers and the native dogwoods with their white flowers, will bring a showcase of color to Virginia's woods for all to enjoy. In just a few weeks it will become one of the perfect times to get out to a Virginia State Park for a hike, bike ride, go horseback riding, or just go sit in the warm sun. A great park to go to for a real escape to enjoy the trees is Sky Meadow State Park. Although only a short distance from the hustle of Washington D.C., it truly feels like a getaway. Later this spring they will also have their annual Strawberry Festival, yummy! So go visit Park Manager Skinner and the great staff at the park and enjoy the blossoms of spring.

Park Ranger Geoff Hall

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

In a career that has spanned 24 years since I started with Virginia State Parks, I have worked with a lot of great people. One of the nicest people you could ever encounter is a friend of mine named Geoff Hall at Hungry Mother State Park. I hired Geoff as a seasonal employee back in the 1980's. I left the park and transferred to Mason Neck State Park, while Geoff left the park altogether to pursue other goals in life. About 20 years later at an Employee's Fishing Tournament at Kiptopeke State Park, one of our employees looked at me and said, "you don't remember me do you?" Well the name I may had temporally forgot, but that kind voice and smile were unmistakable. Geoff had come back to Hungry Mother and was now a Park Ranger where it all started for him. I manage our customer service program and I can tell you he gets some of the nicest comments from our visitors. I'm talking the above and beyond kind of acts of kindness that just reinforces what I already knew about my old friend. You are one class act Geoff Hall with a big heart to help your fellow man. Next time you are at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA, stop in and see Geoff and tell Tom sent you.

Soaring with the Eagles

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

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. What a great idea. Speaking of great ideas, Virginia State Parks are one of the best interactive classrooms you can go to. Our parks have great environmental educators on site ready to take classes out to learn, or perform interpretive programs for visitors. There are several parks along the Bay that have active Bald Eagle nests and large populations to view. While working at Mason Neck I had the luck of doing an Eagle count from a blind as they came off their roost for the night. In about an hours time, I counted 35 Bald Eagles. Wow, what a treat for a bird lover. Mason Neck has a great guided canoe trip up Kane's Creek during parts of the year that will give you a great chance to see this majestic bird up close, along with other wildlife.

Easter Bunny Hopping To Wilderness Road

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Michael Brindle

Following the overwhelming success of last year’s event, Wilderness Road State Park will host the second annual Easter at Karlan celebration. Colorful eggs will decorate the Karlan Mansion lawn on Saturday, April 3, with children ages 1-10 invited to join the Easter Bunny for a candy-filled Easter egg hunt that highlights an afternoon filled with fun, games and prizes. The event begins at 1:00 pm, with light refreshments to be offered following the egg hunt.

The picturesque Karlan Mansion will provide a spectacular backdrop for the candy-filled egg hunt which begins promptly at 1:15 pm with four age groups providing fair competition for prizes that include chocolate bunnies and Easter baskets loaded with candy. Age groups include: ages 1-2, ages 3-5, ages 6-8 and ages 9-10. The boy and girl from each group finding the special marked egg will receive a chocolate bunny as a prize while the one individual from each group that finds the “lucky” egg will receive the goodie-filled basket. Prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the egg hunt.

“Participants are advised to stick around at the conclusion of the event for the awards ceremony,” stated park concession manager Mike Brindle. “Following the awards, we will have races, games, and more. There will also be a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny, who will be more than happy to pose for photos.”

Games and activities scheduled include: egg toss, egg race, bunny hop race, and crafts with a visit by the Easter Bunny concluding the event.

This program is free of charge, but normal parking rates apply. Pre-registration is required and participants are asked to bring their own basket. For more information, or to register, please call the park office at 276-445-3065 or email us at: WildernessRoad@dcr.virginia.gov. Wilderness Road State Park is located in Ewing, Virginia, less than a 2 hour drive from Knoxville, Kingsport, Bristol and Lexington.

Your Next Family Reunion

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

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.

Many parks have water features for swimming and boating fun for the family

What's good for the immediate family is even better for larger family groups. We have families who come to a particular state park year after year or every other year to celebrate their annual family reunions. Twenty-four of our Virginia State Parks have campgrounds for families that enjoy the camping experience. Nineteen parks have comfortable cabins for those family members who prefer a bed, kitchen and bathroom all under the same roof. Thirteen parks now have our family lodges that have five to six bedrooms and sleep 15-18 people (most sleep 16). The family lodges offer large gathering areas where many family members can gather and prepare meals together.

The family sitting down for dinner at the Bear Creek Lake State Park family lodge

Photo by Bill Crabtree Jr., Virginia Tourism Corporation

In the summer, all of our parks offer special programming and events. We are all about catering to our customers, so for a large group you can arrange a special program just for your family group. Hungry Mother and Douthat state parks offer catering for your event and many other parks like Claytor Lake, Twin Lakes, Bear Creek Lake and Westmoreland have meeting facilities you can rent for an event.

Our cabins and lodges do require a week stay during the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day period. We accept reservations up to eleven months in advance so if you have a big group coming, plan in advance. Normally we require payment in full fourteen days after making a reservation but for a large group with one coordinator, we will make special arrangements if you ask to speak to the Reservation Center or Assistant Manager. Reservations and information are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-933-7275.

Photo by Bill Crabtree Jr., Virginia Tourism Corporation

If you are not sure which park you want to visit, try our new park amenity search.

If you have been coming to Virginia State Parks for years with your family, tell us about it! Add your own blog here. If you have more than one picture, you can email me the others at nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov. If you post your own blog between now and August 31, 2010 you will be eligible for a drawing for a week cabin stay at any of our parks.

Family camping trip at Pocahontas State Park

New Cabins Go On Sale March 12

Monday, March 8, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

We are excited to announce that our brand new cabins at Shenandoah River State Park will be available for reservations starting March 12 at 9 a.m.

Since the cabins are still under construction, we will take reservations for July 15, 2010 forward. We hope they will be finished and ready for occupancy sooner and when we know a definite date we will back date the opening.

Shenandoah River State Park is located on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River approximately twenty minutes south of Front Royal, Virginia. The park will have a six-bedroom family lodge (sleeps 16), one three-bedroom cabin (sleep 8) and nine two-bedroom cabins (sleep 6). Cabins will offer a fantastic mountain view. Shenandoah River State Park is located near the start of the Skyline Drive, part of Shenandoah National Park.

See my previous posts, My Visit to Shenandoah River State Park (Parts One, Two and Three), or Cyndi's post Discover Shenandoah River State Park.

We are building new cabins at Natural Tunnel and Douthat state parks as well but the winter weather have set those projects back such that we do not have a comfortable date to use for future reservations.

These new cabins are part of the 2002 State Park and Natural Area Bond. While these cabins are not yet complete, they are our new cabin design. Bear Creek Lake, Claytor Lake, James River, Kiptopeke and Occoneechee state parks have similar cabins. The cabins also feature our Legacy Line of furniture designed in conjunction with Virginia Correctional Enterprises. Our goal was attractive, comfortable and long lasting furniture and comments from our guests indicate we were successful.

All Virginia State Park cabins have a two night minimum. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, we have a week stay requirement. If cabins are not booked for a week stay a month prior to the date of arrival, we allow the two night minimum. At this time you can only book for less than a week in the summer season through the reservation center.

Reservations will be accepted for these new facilities starting a 9 a.m. on March 12, 2010 through our Reservation and Information line at 800-933-7275 or on line.