Camping Parks

Take the day off on Labor Day and enjoy nature and the outdoors at a Virginia State Park, your family will thank you!



Video courtesy of America's State Parks - Close to Home.

Many people are wondering why the parks are closing when the storm track indicates an eastern swing late Thursday.   I'd like to take a moment to explain the complex preparations Virginia State Parks make in these situations.

First and foremost, visitor safety is the absolute priority.



Virginia State Parks follows a set of policy guidelines that require us to close the parks when an area is under a "hurricane watch."  This closure decision then triggers a complex set of protocols that are implemented with visitor safety in mind.

Weather forecasting is tricky business even on normal days--imagine trying to predict what will happen when the storm is nearly 200 miles wide with winds around 135 miles per hour.  NOAA simply can not determine with 100% accuracy the track of this storm.



Camping in an RV or tent in a wooded area during an intense storm is a lot different than hunkering down in your brick and mortar home.  Heavy rains and moderate winds can bring down tree branches and fling debris across the park.  Water pumps and electrical pedestals can fail due to downed trees and flood waters. 

Yesterday, park staff alerted guests that the park will be closing at 4 p.m.  Many park guests were directed to the Chesapeake Bay Center where City of Virginia Beach CVB staff and a public workstation with internet access is available.  Guests are able to transfer their park reservation to inland parks, book hotel rooms, check email and check the latest weather data.


Throughout yesterday and today, park staff are gassing up vehicles, inspecting and fueling chainsaws, inventorying signage, prepping traffic cones and pulling out safety equipment.  All of this is done with the goal of being able to open the park as soon as possible after the storm hits. 

Late this afternoon after the park is closed to visitors, park staff will secure buildings by pulling down hurricane shutters, securing outdoor furniture and closing all gates and access points.

Late this evening, park staff will secure their own homes and make last-minute shopping excursions for supplies for their families.  One of the reasons, we must make a closure decision so early in the storm tracking process is because we must give our employees time to handle their personal situations--relocating their families, stocking their hurricane kits, etc.

On Friday the storm is forecasted to pass through coastal Virginia between 4 a.m. and 2 p.m., once the situation is deemed safe, park staff will conduct inspections of all the public facilities and create a plan for re-opening the park.


The goal is to re-open as quickly as possible.  On Friday, as soon as conditions permit, work crews will go out with chainsaws, tractors, and work trucks to remove down trees and debris.  Dominion Power will be alerted to any electrical problems.  If flooding is a problem, the park manager may decide to open on a limited basis--for instance, the manager may decide to open for day use only or may decide to open only the campground loops that are safe for visitors.


The best thing to do is to check the Virginia State Parks website for information on re-opening of the parks.   Again, the main priority is visitor safety.  We will re-open as soon as possible!!

At Sky Meadows State Park on September 4, 2010 from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. discover the unique qualities of owls with a close look at some live owls found in the area. Then, at 5:00 p.m. witness one of the most amazing things you’ll ever get to see - the release of two young Barn Owls.

In early June two Barn Owl owlets were found at Sky Meadows State Park. They were transported to the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia’s rehabilitation facility. Under the watchful eyes of Kent Knowles and all the wonderful care from the volunteers at the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia they are now ready to come home.


Following the release you can investigate the diet of owls by dissecting their pellets. Afterward, take a hike in search of our nocturnal friends.  Finally, wrap up the evening by trying to find an elusive “owl” in a unique nocturnal game of hide and seek.

Visitors should come to the Mount Bleak parking lot for directions to the release site. Call the park for details, or visit our website.

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."  -- John Muir

With all the activity of Summer coming to a halt, it is time to get away from it all, time to reflect. 

Award winning Virginia State Parks have scenery that takes your breath away!  From the mountains to the rivers to the seashore you can find a special quiet place at a Virginia State Park to reflect.

"Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."  -- Charles Dickens


"Only when the clamor of the outside world is silenced will you be able to hear the deeper vibration. Listen carefully."  -- Sarah Ban Breathnach

We encourage you to take some time away from it all...watch the sunrise over The Chesapeake Bay on the Atlantic at First Landing State Park, or as it gently slips behind Massanutten Mountain at Shenenadoah River.  Virginia State Parks give you peace of mind, body and spirit. 

See a list of Virginia State Parks here to find that special place to reflect. 

(Images above taken at Hungry Mother State Park.)

By Gwen Kirby, Office of Interpretation, Hungry Mother State Park

Do you say "Appa-laa-chian" or "Appa-lay-chian"? No matter which way you say it, come find out more about the people who moved to Southwest Virginia and laid the foundation for the unique and colorful culture of the Appalachian Mountains. Dylan House, curator of the Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia, will be at Hungry Mother State Park on Saturday, September 4, to present "The Migration Story of Southwest Virginia", a program about the Scotch-Irish and German immigrants who came to these mountains. The program starts at 8:00 p.m. at the Park Amphitheater.

The Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia is located in Atkins, Va., just a few miles from Interstate 81. The museum boasts a one-room schoolhouse, a farmhouse, and multiple outbuildings, all restored to represent a working farm from the late 1800s. With authentic farm tools and programs about school days, the museum educates the public about 19th century farm life in Southwest Virginia.

Hungry Mother State Park, located three miles outside of Marion, Va., offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education throughout the year. Contact the Discovery Center for more information about this program and others, at 276-781-7400.

By Gwen Kirby, Office of Interpretation, Hungry Mother State Park

Didn't get to the beach this summer? You have one more chance to get in some beach fun on Labor Day weekend at Hungry Mother State Park, September 3 - 6. The beach will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. all weekend. Don't miss it - once it closes on Monday, September 6, it won't open again till 2011!


We'll kick off the Labor Day weekend activities with the Welcome Ya'll Campfire on Friday, September 3, at 8:00 p.m. at the Amphitheater. Come to hear stories, sing songs, and roast marshmallows, all for free!  

On Saturday and Sunday, make sure you're at the beach at 2:00 p.m., for Beachcombing! A free program, the interpreter will roam the beach with interesting items from the natural world.

On Saturday, September 4, take a break from the sun and sand and come to the Discovery Center at 4:00 p.m. for Trick Your Stick! Customize your very own hiking stick with paint, beads, and other goodies. Your registration fee of $3.00 provides sticks and materials.  This event is sponsored by the Friends of Hungry Mother State Park and preregistration is required. .

At 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, come to the Amphitheater for "The Migration Story of Southwest Virginia", presented by Dylan House from the Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia. We'll talk about the European settlers who cam to the mountains and their contributions to our culture.

There's more fun to be had on Sunday, September 5. At 4:00 p.m., we'll be in the creek for the Critter Crawl. We will search for creek-dwellers and explain their role in the environment. Please wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that can get wet. Meet at parking lot 2. Cost is $3 per person.

Later that evening, come to our Astronomy program at 8:00 p.m. in parking lot 4 for a look at the night sky. We'll show you some favorite constellations and talk about the stories behind them. This program is free and not to be missed! If we have overcast skies, we'll meet at Shelter 2.

Hungry Mother State Park, located three miles outside of Marion, Va., offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education throughout the year. Contact the Discovery Center for more information about these program and others, at 276-781-7400.

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.  The highlight of the event will be a special evening program at 7:00 pm, featuring the life of frontier legend Daniel Boone as Scott New returns to Historic Martin’s Station to reprise his role as the folk hero in a Kentucky Chautauqua program through the Kentucky Humanities.  The event is free of all charges with the community encouraged to come out and enjoy their state park.

By the time of his death in 1820, Daniel Boone had already become a legend. Much of what Americans think they know about this great frontiersman is in some instances, off the mark. “Neither a backwoods bumpkin nor an epic slayer of Indians, Boone was an intrepid explorer and natural leader whose actual exploits easily justify his larger-than-life reputation,” explains the Kentucky Humanities Council. “And he never wore a coonskin cap!”

Scott New has portrayed Boone in films and other venues, such as Wilderness Road State Park, Colonial Williamsburg and now Boonesborough Ky.  For more than 10 years Scott has followed his lifelong interest by interpreting the Kentucky frontier and early American history. “Scott (New) is a tremendous interpreter, showman, teacher and friend” stated park concessions manager Mike Brindle. “I have known Scott for more than 8 years and I consider him to be  one of the best interpreters I have witnessed and an expert on Daniel Boone.

The program will focus on Boone’s experience as a longhunter and trailblazer, with New utilizing first-hand account dialogue in his presentation. “The program will be conducted in first-person perspective, meaning Scott will speak, act and take on the demeanor of Daniel Boone, himself,” explained Brindle. “If you ask him a modern-day question, he will not know the answer. When he is in character in the program, he is Daniel Boone.”

In appreciation for the local community’s support in helping Wilderness Road State Park enjoy another wonderful year, the park will offer a full day of entertainment along with a free hotdog lunch at 12:20 pm.  The day begins when the park grounds open at 8:00 am with programs slated to begin at 10:00 am.  The programs will feature history and nature activities as well as an Amazing Race using GPS (Global Positioning System) units.  

“This Park belongs to the people of the Commonwealth and we are pleased to have an opportunity to show our appreciation with a day of fun, food and activities, free of charge, to our extended community.” explained Wilderness Road State Park Manager Jon Tustin.

One program sure to generate lots of interest is Stories in Stone presented by Cumberland Gap National Historical Park interpreter Scott Teodorski.  Join Teodorski and step back in time to see and hear what our rock formations tell us about our land’s history, its makeup and events that shaped our region’s past.

Ever wonder what lurks in the layers of sandstone and limestone that have been thrust through the top of the ground as a result of the Earth’s plates slamming into one another? Ever wonder what rocks would tell us if they could talk? Teodorski will attempt to interpret what the rocks are telling us by studying their structure, chemical makeup and the fossils they contain.

“I think at some point in time, most of us that grew up in this area have played and climbed on rocks. And we probably have all turned over a few rocks just to see what was under them or what they looked like,” explained Mike Brindle, concessions manager at Wilderness Road State Park. “This program will take us back to that time, and allow us to find out exactly what these rocks, rock formations and cliffs have to tell us about an ancient world forgotten, but preserved in stone.”

Teodorski concluded with: “Come out and listen to these stories in stone and see how ancient earth-changing forces still chart the journey of modern explorers.”  This activity will be held at 2:00 pm in the picnic area.

Welcoming ceremonies will be conducted at 12 noon. A free hotdog lunch complete with chips, drinks and a dessert treat, will get underway at 12:30 pm at shelter #3.

A new addition to the park’s offerings is the Cumberland Outpost, located behind the Visitor Center, which opened this summer offering ice cream, candy, snacks and drinks.  It also serves as a nature center.  The Outpost will be open throughout the Open House celebration.

Historic Martin’s Station will open at 10:00 am.  The theme for the weekend is “frontier frolic” illustrating how settlers eased the tension of living along a frontier that could be both grim and dangerous.

Tours of the Karlan Mansion will be conducted at 11:00 am and 4:15 pm by Frances Robertson Inwood.  Francis is a descendant of Robert and Susan Ely who built the home in 1877-78.  “Frances has so many pictures and information that help tell the history of this building,” explained Brindle. “Now she wants to share this wealth of information with the public.”  Those wishing to join the tour are asked to meet at the front porch of the mansion at least five minutes prior to the start of the tour.    

Other programs and activities slated for the day include:  A nature hike (10:00 am), an 18th century artillery demonstration (12:30 pm) and children’s entertainment by Wilderness Wilma the Clown (1:30 pm).  Live music by Tazewell Pike and Ken Wilson will entertain guests from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm near the Cumberland Outpost. The very popular “Critters in the Creek” program takes place at 3:00 pm.  At 4:00 pm, a historical first-person program will be conducted at Martin’s Station.

The annual horseshoe tournament begins at 2:00pm at Shelter #3.  The popular event from a year ago returns with prizes to be awarded to the winning two-man team.  Teams wishing to enter the tournament are asked to meet at Shelter #3 at 1:30 pm.

Based on the popular reality television show, The Amazing Race, the park will conduct its own Amazing Race scavenger hunt at 5:30 pm using GPS units.  Each 4-6 person team will hike, walk, dig and climb to locate clues which will lead them to the final puzzle.  The team solving their puzzle first will win a cache of prizes.  Pre-registration is required for the Amazing Race game.  To register a team, please call the park office at 276-445-3065.    

“The staff at Wilderness Road State Park is enthusiastically looking forward to welcoming the community to enjoy and explore the wonderful resources and activities here at the park,” concluded Tustin

The event is being sponsored by Powell Valley Bank and the Friends of Wilderness Road State Park.  For more information, please contact the park by phone: 276-445-3065.

It's hurricane season so it seems prudent to take the time to explain one of the less pleasant decisions we have to make - when and how to decide to close a park for severe weather.


From the first hint that a Hurricane or significant weather event is heading our way, Virginia's Department of Emergency Management scheduled conference calls for Federal, State and Local officials and major utility providers to discuss preparedness for the storm.


From our perspective, the safety of our visitors is of paramount concern and Virginia State Parks has an official policy that helps us decide when it is prudent to close our facilities. In other words, when we decide we need to make our overnight and day guests leave the park. We do not make the decision lightly, but you can see with the policy, below, that we have well defined parameters for making that call.

Our official call to close a park or facilities is the trigger for when we waive cancellation fees. Prior to that determination, guests are free to cancel using our standard cancellation policy. You can always check the current conditions on the NOAA weather site.

Sometimes our guests have been upset that we have closed the park and sent them away from a place to stay with nowhere for them to go. However, our decision is always based on our determination that it is UNSAFE to be in the park under the forecasted conditions. Our goal is to provide the most accurate and advance notification within reason and to notify customers in advance of their arrival whenever possible. It is important that guests provide us with email addresses or multiple contact phone numbers so we can reach them in advance of their departure.

To help get the information about park closings to customers without the need for everyone to call our Reservation line, we have instituted a new emergency bulletin system. If there is urgent information like whole park closures or specific facility closures, there will be a brown box close to the top of a park's webpage (see arrow in the picture below) with "Click here to read an urgent message about this park." If you click that link you will be directed to a page with the current information.



We hope this new alert system will enable our visitors to know about any possible closings or issues that may impact their overnight stay or day visit before they leave their house.

The last thing we ever want to do is ruin someone's vacation or park visit, especially since some of these trips are planned eleven months in advance. But there is nothing like a tree falling through your tent or cabin to do just that not to mention potential life threatening events. And, yes the forecasts can be wrong but our intent is always to err on the side of caution when it comes to your safety!

This is the last big weekend of the summer.  Still time for you to visit and enjoy spending some time at a Virginia State Park!   Like this young lady from Rocky Mount Virginia and her guide "The Shenandoah Rover" did at Shenandoah River State Park.



The park is 1,604 acres with 5.6 miles of river frontage along the south fork of the Shenandoah River. The rolling, mountainous land features steep slopes and is mostly wooded. In addition to meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic vistas overlooking Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east.

Park Size: 1,604 acres, 5.6 miles of river frontage along the south fork of the Shenandoah River. About 140 acres are pastoral.  There is no boat launch, but there is a canoe put in spot with ample parking.

Shenandoah River State Park has 11 brand new cabins, a primitive campground right beside the river, an incredible new RV campground with full hook ups and even camping cabins for you to enjoy!  You can reserve your spot on line today or call 1-800-933-PARK for your Virginia State Parks experience.


Other features at this amazing Virginia State Park is a brand new state-of-the-art visitor center with LEED certification, picnic shelters, hiking, biking and horseback trails and plenty of parking.  Don't miss the view from the lookout near the Visitor Center, especially at sunset or sunrise, it is spectacular!

There is so much to love at Virginia State Parks - I dare you to prove me wrong!

Whether in the bright morning sun, the soft colors of sunset or the quiet of a full moon, kayaking at Caledon is at its best.  Guided kayak trips along the Potomac River are now part of the many wonderful things that Caledon Natural Area has to offer. 

The park's brand new kayaks (8 solo and 4 tandem) are launched from and return to Boyd's Hole. The trips go to Caledon Marsh (high tide) or Jones Pond (low tide) depending on the tides. Kayak trips last about 2.5 hours with about an hour and 40 minutes on the water. Please check our website for complete dates and times.  As of September 12th the Sunday morning kayak trip will be at 9:00 a.m. The Thursday evening trip will be at 6:00 p.m. until the end of September with the exception of September 23rd as this trip is replaced by the Full Moon Kayak Trip at 7:00 p.m.

Visitors get to observe wildlife along the rivers, creeks and marshes while quietly slicing through the water.   Paddlers will be treated to the site of Eagles, Egrets, Great Blue Heron Otter, and Osprey foraging for food.  Wild Turkey, Raccoons and White Tail Deer have been spotted making their way through the old growth forest abundant with wildlife and a wide variety of bird species.

So if you are a beginner or an avid paddler, the guided kayak trip is great fun and education for everyone. 

The new kayaks at Caledon were bought with an anonymous donation made to the Friends of Caledon specifically for that purpose.  For more information visit Caledon’s website. Reservations are required so be sure to call (540)663-3861.

 

A Change of Scenery Will Do You Good

Take a look at Virginia State Parks where the air is fresher, cleaner and there is more of it!

Open your eyes and look around you, what do you see? Can you feel it, smell it and hear it?  Let Virginia State Parks magnify your senses...listen carefully to hear the sound of a bat on a ball and children laughing, or look closely to the see harbingers of Spring.


Virginia State Parks has a fantastic trails system, you better get out here and experience it yourself!

Virginia State Parks have more than 450 miles of trails in 34 state parks, historic sites and natural areas. With more than seven million park visitors a year, our trails see a lot of use. In fact, more than 97 percent of those responding to the 2000 Virginia Outdoors Survey rated trails the most important offering state parks provide.

These trails provide a range of outdoor experiences in different settings - coastal forests, dunes, hardwood forests, tranquil lakes, hemlock forests and spectacular views in the mountains. Trails give visitors the chance for bird watching and wildlife viewing, exercise, family outings, mountain biking or just a quiet escape from urban life. Whatever your interest, our trails fill the bill.

Parks with handicapped accessible trails include Belle Isle, Chippokes, Claytor Lake, Fairy Stone, First Landing, Hungry Mother, James River, Kiptopeke, Leesylvania, Mason Neck, Southwest Virginia Museum, Natural Tunnel, New River Trail, Pocahontas, Staunton River Battlefield and York River.

See the entire list of Virginia State Parks Trails Here.  Currently there are Hiking, Biking, Mountain Biking, Hiking/Biking, Hiking/Equestrian, Hiking/Biking/Equestrian, Rail Trail, Connector, Interpretive, and Water Accessible Trails available for everyone to enjoy.   Don't forget Fido, he will know where you have been without him, so bring him along!

Learn more about park offerings by calling 1-800-933-PARK. Click here to reserve a campsite or picnic shelter or to check cabin availability.

There's so much to love at Virginia State Parks!

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.

The day was a big success at Douthat’s beach complex.  To kick off the morning at 11 a.m. was the hula hoop contest.  Third place was 33-year-old Amanda Hart from Roanoke, second place was 16-year-old Joe Brendel from Highland County, and first place was 10-year-old Lindsay Gunsallus from Charlottesville.  All contestants hula-hooped under three minutes.

The toilet paper toss started around 11:30 a.m.  Guests had to throw 12 rolls of toilet paper while his or her partner caught it blindfolded while sitting on the toilet.  First place was a tie with both teams catching eight rolls: Tom Mahr and son Nicholas Mahr from Washington D.C. and Joey Brendel from Highland County and friend Kyle Judy from Pendleton County.

Lunch was served at noon with 300 hot dogs donated from U.S. Food Services.

At 1 p.m. the limbo contest took place with 16-year-old Joey Brendel winning from Highland County.

The sand sculpture contest was judged and third place went to Lilly and Erin Brendel who built a sea turtle, second place was Megan Safara who built a shark, and first place was Katie Niebuhr who also built a sand shark. 

The day came to an end with the Cardboard Boat Regatta.  The boats were first judged for Best in Show.  Jeff, Lora, Madison, and Hailey Flint from Fishersville won Best in Show by creating a Hokie Boat.

First place in the boat race for the second year in a row was Logan Gunsallus from Charlottesville, Va. 

Second place in the boat race was Taylor Hubbard and third place was Paxton Jolly.

First National Bank and McDonald’s along with U.S. Food Services helped sponsor the event.

There were 364 guests who bought swim passes for Saturday and 12 boats entered in the Card Board Boat Regatta.

For more information click here, 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.

Overnight reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK (7275) or by booking on line.