Park Campgrounds Virginia

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!!

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!

A visitor contributed blog by Vel Allard from Wakefield, Virginia

We were so happy. A whole two weeks of vacation coming up in our brand new, never been used pop-up Coleman camper. It was thrilling and exciting to be heading off for our very first trip with the new camper. We were gathering up everything we thought we'd need and heading from our home in Illinois to visit our kids who lived in Virginia. My husband, Chuck, was meticulous about getting everything done with getting the camper ready while I loaded up our clothes, sleeping bags, and everything I thought we may use. Then we started to load our food. "Well, I said, "we aren't going to be camping every night.. just one night on the road to get there for now, so I will just put one night's food in the camper." Ominous words! Chuck came in and pronounced, " ah no, we need to take more than that and began throwing cans of beans and beef stew and who knows what all in the camper." Under my breath I was thinking, why is he doing all that for one night on the road camping.

We finally had it all together and took off happily down the road toward Virginia. It was a long but happy trip as we hit the beautiful mountains of Virginia. We were so delighted to be in the state even though it was raining slightly and the radio was issuing heavy rain warnings. Well if you are going to camp in a camper, we thought , we'd be safe and dry and happy. Sleeping under the tent top would be nice sleeping weather. We entered the beautiful state park at Douthat and were instructed to turn left onto a little drive that went over this lovely little stream. Then to drive up the hill to our site. We had picked out the perfect site for us...on the topmost part of the hill and near the restrooms... :)


We set up the camper and fixed our evening meal and happily listened to the little pitter patter of the rain on the top of the camper. The smell of wet woods and new camper filled the air. Finally the exhaustion of the drive hit us and we decided to call it a night. Sometime late during the night I was awakened to loud popping, crashing noises. It was a little unnerving because I didn't have a clue what it was. It was still raining... heavily... and I was starting to wonder if anything would leak. The noises kept on.. loud popping noises and roaring water sounds. I woke my husband who probably could sleep through most any kind of storm and he said, "Aww it's nothing... go back to sleep." However when we awoke and he went to the bathhouse, he ran into a fellow camper who said, "Looks like we aren't going anywhere today!" Chuck took a deep breath wondering what he was talking about. "The stream flooded" our fellow camper said, "and the bridge is underwater!"... Chuck came back to the camper with this little tidbit of information and we just looked at each other. A bit of panic made its way to my voice as I said, "that little stream we crossed last night??" "Yes, let's go look at it."

We made our way down and were totally aghast at what we saw... that tiny little stream which so quietly had crept under the little bridge last night was an angry, muddy, swirling mass of floodwater. Trees had broken off in the night and were floating along with the water and there was no way in the world we were going to be leaving that day! Immediately we thought of getting word to our daughters that we were stranded at Douthat. We tried the cell phone... of course, no service! Then we walked back up to the camper. Just as we did, a ranger came walking by the bathhouse notifying campers of our dilemma. I was so glad to see him altho the campground was pretty full of campers so we were not alone. It was reassurance that there was some way to get out. Chuck asked him how he got here if all the roads were flooded. He told us that he had climbed the mountain and showed us the direction to climb out and get to a phone at the ranger's station. The campground was fine up on higher ground.. the lower levels where we met some fellow campers from Illinois were somewhat flooded. Getting in and out of their campers was a watery experience. It wasn't long though before the rangers had a backhoe down by the now raging river. They were going to put in a culvert to divert some of the water away from the bridge and then when the water receded, we would be able to leave.. But that wasn't going to happen today. It was going to take some time.


So we started thinking food... yes, thank you husband, you packed all that other stuff that I didn't think we were going to need. So I had to eat my words but thankfully, we had beans and beef stew.. So many of the campers were sharing food and willing to help out anyway possible. It was a great group of people and a great group trying to "rescue" us. Indeed we still had to notify daughters or the state police would have been on our trail. So we decided to climb that mountain to get out to make a phone call. It didn't look all that bad, I thought. :) So we started and it was a whole lot steeper than it looked. We started to hold on to little trees and pull our way up...It was some good exercise! At last we made it... called our daughter and told her the story. Her only request... call me back in a few hours and tell me how it's going. Sure, right...climb that mountain again.. I think not! So we assured her that as soon as we got out, we would call her. Then we climbed that mountain again to get back to the camper and took a nap. Diligently, that crew kept on working hard as they could. By the next day at lunchtime, a ranger had appeared again to tell us that they would have a window of time for us to get out that day and to be ready. It could be anytime. So we hooked up, packed up and decided to eat more beef stew. As soon as I got the pot hot and we were ready, they came around again and said, "Now, you need to come on down, now." We threw that hot pot of beef stew in the trunk..and started on down the road. You could still see a little layer of water coming across the bridge but it was down enough to cross. Crossing that bridge was a little scary as you could see the water still swirling but their culvert worked.

We still sing the praises of those workers who worked so diligently to get us out. We loved the adventure and the wonder of mother nature at her best and worst as we visited Douthat State Park. We plan to go back there again soon as we are now Virginians and guess what... this time, we will pack a lot of food! Happy Camping!

Editor's note: While it is still possible to get "stranded" in White Oak Campground, we have replaced the bridge since this story in 2000. Rest assured that in an emergency situation we would have been able to rescue stranded campers. This is most likely to happen in March or April with combination spring rains and runoff from snow at higher elevations.

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. In truth he was a little sway back and deathly afraid of tractors (I have the scars to prove that).

Back then, there was still lots of farmland in Williamsburg and even Hampton and we could find a farm (not a boarding stable) to keep my horse. My dad had lots of friends.

Today, people who own horses either have some land of their own or board their horses somewhere. And regardless, it is not easy to find places to go riding. The places in Williamsburg and Hampton where I used to ride on farms have long ago been turned into housing developments.

What many people may not know is that many Virginia State Parks offer multi-use trails that are suitable for horses. We also have several parks where you can bring your horse and camp overnight. We have one park where we operate a horse livery where you can take a horseback ride even if you don't own a horse.


If you use our cool amenity search tool on our website and click "Equestrian" under trails, you will get a list of all the parks by region in the state that offer horse trails or access to horse trails directly from the park. The Virginia Outdoors website lists the parks with equestrian trails and also lists other public lands that feature equestrian or multi-use trails through their partnership with the Virginia Horse Council. Before traveling a distance to visit a park for equestrian use, I recommend you call the park and verify that the trails are open. After significant rain, the trails may be too dangerous for equestrian use.

We have campsites that allow visitors to camp with their horses at Grayson Highlands, New River Trail (Cliffview), Occoneechee and James River state parks. New equestrian campgrounds are in the construction phase at Douthat, Fairy Stone, Staunton River, and James River state parks.


New River Trail State Park offers a horse livery so you can take a trail ride on one of the park's horses. The livery is open from the first weekend in April through the end of October. Call (276) 699-2460 for details.

So, if you have horse and will travel, be sure and check out riding and camping opportunities at Virginia's state parks. For camping reservations, call 800-933-7275.

There is so much to love at Virginia State Parks!

Virginia State Parks are all abuzz with recreational activities, from history, culture, outdoor competitions, to arts, crafts, fishing, natural history, geocaching, workshops and festivals!


There are 35 State Parks in the VA Department of Conservation & Recreation System.  There is something for everyone at a Virginia State Park, from the mountains to the seashore.   Here is an abbreviated list of activities currently happening at your Virginia State Parks:

1. Can you Canoe?
2. Camp Chat
3. Prim-Tech to Hi-Tech
4. Music from the day
5. Geocaching
6. Tracks and Scats - Signs of the Times
7. Astronomy with a NASA Space Embassador
8. Invert Alert
9. Birding by Boat
10. Marsh Madness Canoe Trip
11. Walk in the Woods
12. Fish Printing
13. Family Play Day
14. Make a Hiking Stick
15. Full Moon Canoe Trip
16. Tall Tales Campfire
17. Full Moon Kayak Trip
18. Hayrides
19. Wild about Wetlands Canoe Trip
20. Sunset Kayak Trip
21. Eagle Tours
22. Kayak with the Eagles
23. Owl Prowls Hayrides
24. Wagon Ride
25. Ask a Ranger
26. Let's Go Fishing
27. Jones-Stewart Mansion Tours
28. Fossil Walk
29. Evening Paddle
30. Junior Rangers
31. Drowned in the Past
32. Crayfish Crawl
33. Campground Scavenger Hunt
34. Going Batty
35. Night Hike
36. Skin and Bones
37. Tree Cookies
38. Snake, Rattle and Whoa
39. Quest for Cache
40. Animal Bites
41. Leave it to Beavers
42. Mystery Box
43. Frog Hop
44. Bat Kapers
45. Bear Kapers
46. Roost in Peace
47. Appalachian Antic
48. Flyfishing 101
49. The Scoop on Poop
50. Owle Pellet Adventure
51. Campfire Cookery
52. Toad Abodes
53. Basic Twionometry
54. Frog Slog
55. Butterfly Kapers
56. Railroad Tales
57. Pine Cone Bird Feeder
58. Sandy Shorts
59. Fairy Stone Hunt
60. Rock n Rockets
61. Canoeing with Ghosts
62. Salamander Meander
63. Quicksand!
64. Gnome Homes
65. Luma Plena: Full Moon
66. Swamp Stomp
67. Seaside Creatures
68. Staying Found
69. Night Hike
70. Crabbing
71. Young Naturalist
72. What's in the Nets?
73. Geoquest
74. Scales to Tales
75. Wonder Bugs
76. Moonlight Movies
77. Talons of Terror
78. Relay on the Beach
79. Touch of Nature
80. Predators and Prey
81. Owl Call Canoe Tour
82. Civil War Campfire
83. Nature's Nocturne Hike
84. Critter Crawl
85. Made in the Shade
86. Owl Wisdom
87. History Flows Through it
88. Feeding Frenzy
89. Panning for Gold
90. Storytime in the Woods
91. A Stitch in Time
92. Creepy Crawlies
93. Pond Play
94. Lovely Ladybugs
95. Make Tracks for Home
96. Majestic Eagles
97. Cherokee Run
98. 1175 Frontier Life
99. Fishing at the Falls
100. The Bear Facts
101. Aquatic Insects
102. Roving Reptiles
103. River Float
104. Gone Batty
105. Owl Prowl
106. Snakes Alive
107. Toad Abodes
108. Gyotaku (Fish Printing)
109. You too Can Canoe
110. Stump the Ranger
111. Civil War Kids
112. Mystery in the Mountains
113. Ugly Bug Contests
114. Natures Paint Brush
115. Corn Husk Dolls
116. Tree ID
117. Catch 'em in the Creel
118. Pirates, Privateers and Patriots Trip
119. Going N Seine
120. Roaming Ranger
121. Pick your Paddle

Do I have your attention yet? How do YOU spell Fun?  There is so much to love at Virginia State Parks.

Rent a cabin, rent a lodge, rent a tent site for a night or a week, or full hook-up site or a shelter for a family reunion or church picnic (you know how we all love Sunday chicken!)  Some Virginia State Parks even have conference centers available for your use.  Book the conference center and a "canoogle" of canoes, guaranteed you will have a blast! 

You can reserve online TODAY or see what is available here.  Search for specific amenities for the park that is just right for you or view a PDF amenities grid comparing all Virginia State Parks at once.

Virginia State Parks Rock!
I am tellin’ ya they roolly do!

By Taylor Thorp, Cove Ridge Center Director, Natural Tunnel State Park

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. It’s a trip that’s been done before, visiting sites such as coastal Virginia during the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, as well as Chincoteague, False Cape, touring Washington, D.C., and visiting 9 Virginia State Parks in 1 week! But this year marked something different … something that hasn’t been done before in the history of Virginia Is For Students.


This year, the students followed in the footsteps of the American Civil War, from events that helped trigger it, to the first major land battle, to the site of some of the most important moments, and to the site of the surrender of Confederate forces that marked the end of the war. This year, the Virginia Is For Students Tour was planned around the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War – the 150th Anniversary.


So what is the Virginia Is For Students Tour, you ask? That’s easy – it’s a multi-day, overnight, educational and adventure touring program that focuses on the recreational and historical opportunities that exist within Virginia, or have direct bearing on our state. Working with Virginia SOLs, it offers rising Sophomores and Juniors a chance to visit parts of the state they may have never seen, while allowing them to be immersed in activities that can make a lasting impression. The Tour is run by the Cove Ridge Center of Natural Tunnel State Park in conjunction with the school systems of Scott, Lee, and Wise counties, and the City of Norton. It is partially funded through gracious contributions from the Cove Ridge Foundation & Advisory Board, a non-profit group that works with the Cove Ridge Center.


This year, the Virginia Is For Students Tour took 5 students from Lee County High School and 2 students from Rye Cove High School (in Scott County) on a 8-day trip around our state. Beginning on Sunday, June 20th, the students traveled through more than half the state, and took in 3 State Parks, 1 National Battlefield, 1 National Military Park, 2 National Historical Parks, a large Ropes Course and Zip-Line, whitewater tubing, and canoeing – not to mention the sights, experiences, and friendships that occurred along the way! Two nights were spent in tree house shelters – yes, in real trees! – at Maple Tree Campground, while 2 nights each were spent at Lake Anna and James River state parks, and 1 night at Hemlock Overlook. The group returned to the Cove Ridge Center on Sunday. June 27th.


When it came to adventure and recreation, this year’s Tour made sure that the students kept active. From whitewater tubing on the Potomac River during their first full day out, to tackling an 8-mile canoe trip on the James near the end of the trip – this trip made full use of the outdoor activities throughout our state. In addition to the swimming and hiking offered at each State Park, the students spent an entire day in the middle of the week at the Adventure Links Hemlock Overlook, where they participated in various team building activities. From ground initiatives to low-ropes elements to soaring down a zip-line – the programs at Hemlock Overlook helped to raise group and individual confidence, self-esteem, and group dynamics and cohesion. And all the students agreed – it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip!


While adventure and recreation were an important part of the trip, some of the most unforgettable moments came from visiting the historical sites throughout the Tour. As the first stop on the trip, the students toured Harpers Ferry, WV, site of the infamous John Brown Raid on the federal armory, and one of many precursors to the American Civil War. The next historical stop centered on Manassas National Battlefield, where the students toured the sites of the first and second battles of Manassas (or Bull Run). It was here that they learned about spectators venturing out from nearby Washington, D.C. to watch the first battle – only to flee back to the city when the Confederate forces won. One student told the staff after visiting: “Manassas was heartbreaking. It’s sad to hear about the thousands of men dying and (us) actually being there.” It was also here the group saw firsthand the spot where General “Stonewall” Jackson earned his nickname.


Later in the week, the students toured the battlefields and sites around Fredericksburg, VA. They followed the Sunken Road and saw the wall that protected Confederate forces during the Marye’s Heights portion of the battle, where failed Union charges led to more 6,000 casualties. The group also visited the Stonewall Jackson Shrine, where they saw the bed in which he had died. One student commented, “It was awesome, yet very… creepy. The bed he passed away in still had the indentation of his body.”


The last place the students visited was Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park, the site of the last major battle of the Civil War. The group toured the McLean House, and saw firsthand the room and desks where Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant signed the surrender papers that ended the war. All the students mentioned that site and the house had a profound impact on them, and one student said, “We got to see ‘where our nation reunited.’”


Waging through “battles” of their own, the students fought heat and bugs and long days to follow in the footsteps of some of the most important parts of Virginia’s history. They witnessed and toured sites that marked the beginning, middle, and ending to a war that saw more battles fought in our state than in any other. And one thing all the students and staff could agree on was the fact that there was no information in any textbook that could compare to the impact of actually being there.


So, where will the Virginia Is For Students Tour go next year? When will it run? These are questions that the students are already asking! Not to worry – planning is already underway, with hopes that next year’s Tour will be better than ever!

An official Press Release from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation by Jim Meisner, Jr.

A statewide volunteer program, the Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps, has been named the Outstanding State Volunteer Program in the United States by the Take Pride in America program.

Virginia State Parks are operated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The Take Pride in America program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The award was presented by Robert Stanton, senior advisor to Secretary Ken Salazar and a former director of the National Park Service, and Lisa Young, director of Take Pride America. “Virginia State Parks have received many accolades over the years, from awards honoring facilities and amenities to being recognized as the best managed state park system in the United States,” said DCR Director David Johnson. “This award recognizes the hard work and contributions of nearly 1,000 young people and staff who made this program so successful.”


Fashioned after the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, the YCC is a summer program for young volunteers between the ages of 14-17. Working in crews of approximately 10 volunteers and three college-age supervisors, the young people each contribute between 120 and 180 hours of service. Participants work in state parks across Virginia on a variety of conservation projects including trail and campground maintenance, construction, fence building, tree planting, noxious weed removal and fish habitat improvement. Program projects are designed to foster teamwork, self-esteem, social responsibility and respect for the environment, said Gaston Rouse, State Parks director of volunteer services.

“These youngsters are the future of the Commonwealth and the future of America,” Rouse said. “Volunteering is one of the most important facets of adult life, and we need to incorporate that into the lives of our children.”

In 2007, the YCC program received the Virginia Governor’s Best Youth Volunteer in Virginia award.


Since its creation in 2002, nearly 1,000 young people have participated in the YCC program. This year, YCC volunteers will work in 20 parks in two three-week sessions. Ten were completed earlier this summer, while the second session of YCC volunteers will work through Aug. 7 in nine state parks: Westmoreland, Holliday Lake, Leesylvania, York River, Belle Isle, Claytor Lake, Lake Anna, Sky Meadows and Wilderness Road state parks, as well as the Petersburg National Battlefield.

In 2009, 165 youths performed park development and maintenance projects, putting in 45,483 hours of work, valued at $933,765 in employee wages.

“The YCC program gives young people opportunities to serve their state and communities while learning important skills and it introduces natural resource and environmental fields as a possible career path,” said DCR State Parks Director Joe Elton. “The YCC embodies the core responsibility of the state parks system by fostering environmental awareness at a young age and connecting our volunteers to the awe and wonder of nature. YCC participants carry the memories of these experiences with them for the rest of their lives and they remain our partners in protecting state parks for future generations.”


This year, 246 are expected to participate in the program, logging an estimated 65,000 hours worth $1,360,450 in employee hours. The program attracted 447 applicants in 2010.

The YCC program was selected by a panel of judges from hundreds of qualified nominations representing outstanding examples of public lands stewardship from across the country. This year, there are 15 National Award winners, representing projects and events in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Take Pride in America is a nationwide partnership program authorized by Congress to promote the appreciation and stewardship of our nation’s public lands. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior for the benefit of all public lands at all levels of government nationwide.

A visitor contributed post by Elizabeth Murray from Springfield, Virginia

This past weekend we spent two nights and three days at the Shenandoah River State Park campground. It is a beautiful park with only 10 sites, and each is unique and remote enough that it feels like you are at your very own park. Each site had a huge area with picnic tables and a fire ring, and plenty of room for tents for a big family. There is ice cold water available a few steps away and a very clean and well maintained bathhouse near the parking lot.


Our kids, ages four and six, loved swimming in the clean and clear river when we were hot (which was frequent since it was about 100 degrees last weekend!), and we even participated in a few of the programs put on by the rangers, including a camp cooking class that was really fun! The park is about 8 miles from Front Royal, so it is a pretty quick drive when your camping air matresses spring a leak, or you run out of hot dogs.


They had a great farmer's market on Saturday that displayed the area's best in produce, baking and canning. Even though it was a hot weekend, no one wanted to leave come Sunday. We've already reserved another trip before the end of the summer and can not wait to return! Every beautiful morning we woke to find rabbits hopping around looking for breakfast and deer bounding away. We could have done without the industrious and chubby squirrel that fiqured out how to break into our kitchen rubbermaid container and chew through the plastic container that held our precious homemade granola--but who could resist homemade granola with cashews, cherries, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips?

If you follow my posts you know that this has not been the best year for First Landing State Park's campground.

First there was flooding (there are still sites we can't open). Wheo n it was clear that the water just wasn't draining off the sites and we took action to block the sites from rental, we realized we had already booked more sites than might be available. We made it through Memorial Day thanks to the hot dry weather but despite some last minute site openings, we still had to cancel some customers for the 4th of July weekend. I guess you can imagine what it would be like on the customer end of that phone conversation: "Hello customer, we are calling to ruin your vacation." Trust me, it's not a lot of fun on our end either.


To top if off, two other things have created more confusion. First, the park renovated some of the sites over the winter. This would normally be a great thing since the sites were made larger. However, we have since realized that these changes caused some real problems for our customers. It seems that folks have favorite sites and have figured out what kind of sites they need to reserve so they have a chance at getting that favorite site. Well, out renovations messed all that up. Normally we would have warned everyone and swapped site types for them but again the flooding prevented that at least for the weekends so far.

Secondly, we have had some issues with our reservation software. There was a glitch that was creating overbookings through the web. Because of everything else that was going on the best solution was to temporaily disable on line reservations for the park. I hope that we will be able to reinstate web reservations soon.

The good news is that we are through the worst of it after this weekend. Below is the new campground map. If your favorite site has changed site types, contact the Reservation Center by calling 800-933-7275 (they are closed Monday July 5 for the State Holiday) and they will try to transfer your reservation to the site type you desire.

As most of our regular customers know, we do not reserve specific sites. But, if you have one you like, there is zero chance you will get it if you do not have a reservation for that type of site. Please beware though - you must always reserve a site that is large enough for your equipment. If you have a 30' RV, if your favorite site is a 20' site, you are just our of luck.

The other good news is that the new check-in policy means that you have some choices when you check in. You will be allowed to select any site in a particular campground that matches the site type you have reserved. This should be an improvement over our previous process.




Please call us at 800-933-7275 if you need some help trying to rearrange your reservations. I can't promise we can solve the problem, but we will promise to try.

After one of the hottest June’s on record the first couple of days of July have provided some much needed relief just in time for one of the biggest outdoor and camping weekends of the year.


I know that most families, mine included, look forward to evenings around the campfire. The stories, conversations and bonding that happen around the campfire are sure to create memories that last a lifetime. As I mentioned earlier, it was one of the hottest June’s on record across much of the Commonwealth and thus our beautiful forest are a little dry. Please take care and never leave a campfire unattended, fully extinguish them before leaving your site or going to bed. A big part of enjoying our parks is assuring they are preserved for future visitors and generations. Please do your part.  

One of my favorite activities when camping is star gazing, our great state parks offer some of the darkest skies in the Commonwealth, so whenever camping take a minute and look up. The moon will not rise until 11:30pm – 1am over the weekend so the early evening sky will be dark. One interesting thing of note this month is Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn will be lined up in the western sky after sunset, watch as they get closer together as the month of July progresses. If you are more of a night owl, like me, Jupiter will be rising in the east after midnight to dominate the night sky. A clear sky, lawn chair and a good pair of binoculars can provide countless hours of enjoyment!

Remember that each campground in Virginia’s State Parks offers different amenities ranging from primitive sites to some campgrounds offering electric and water. Proper planning and preparation is critical, so please take a little extra time to check what’s offered at the park you plan on visiting.

I sincerely hope everyone will set aside some time this weekend and get outdoors! If you do not have time to camp maybe visit a park and hike or just have a picnic. Virginia also has a rich history and considering it’s the 4th of July, why not discover some of the many places that played an important role in our country’s founding. Places like Jamestown, Williamsburg or Yorktown. The homes of some of our most influential founders like Washington, Jefferson and Madison. All these of these places are in Virginia and never more than an hour away from an award winning Virginia State Park.

Official Department of Conservation and Recreation Press Release by Jim Mesiner

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.

Virginia State Parks was honored with 101 awards in 17 categories. A dozen parks were named in the Top 100 Family Campgrounds: Chippokes Plantation, Claytor Lake, Douthat, Fairy Stone, First Landing, James River, Kiptopeke, New River Trail, Occoneechee, Smith Mountain Lake, Staunton River and Westmoreland state parks.


“In the past few years, we’ve hosted record numbers of visitors as more and more people recognize the beauty and affordability of our parks, as well as the many activities our parks have to offer. We are honored to have Virginia State Parks recognized again this year by ReserveAmerica,” said DCR Director David Johnson. “I know park employees take great pride in their work, and it’s rewarding to have their dedication nationally recognized.”


A part of the Active Network, ReserveAmerica is North America’s leading camping reservation and campground management solutions provider. ReserveAmerica manages the Virginia State Park electronic reservation system.

To determine the top campgrounds and locations, over 3,000 parks were evaluated based in part on testimonials from park rangers, regional park management and campers, as well as specific family-friendly criteria including kid-friendly parks, scenic views, hiking trails, children’s activities and more.


 “Our parks play an important role in the lives of our visitors,” said DCR State Parks Director Joe Elton. “Virginia State Parks are a tonic for the mind, body and spirit, and they are places people return to year after year, generation after generation.”

In 2009, 7.5 million people visited Virginia State Parks. Attendance through May 31 of this year was 2.2 million, 8.8 percent more than the same time last year.

Other award categories (and the number of winning Virginia State Parks) include: Top 25 Amazing Spots (seven parks), Top 25 Biking Trails (five parks), Top 25 Bird-Watching Spots (three parks), Top 25 Canoeing Spots (seven parks), Top 50 Educational and Historical Facilities (five parks), Top 50 Fishing Spots (nine parks), Top 50 Hiking Trails (11 parks), Top 25 Horse-Friendly Parks (two parks), Top 25 Kid-Friendly Parks (six parks), Top 25 Park Beaches (three parks), Top 25 Picnic Areas (five parks), Top 25 Romantic Spots (four parks), Top 50 Scenic Views (four parks), Top 25 Tours and Events (seven parks), Top 25 Unique Cabins (six parks), and Top 25 Water Recreation Parks (five parks).


For the complete list of specific winners, click here. Click here for the Virginia State Park winners by park.

For more information about Virginia State Parks activities and amenities or to make reservations in one of the more than 1,600 campsites or 220 cabins and lodges, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at (800) 933-PARK or visit our website.

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

Enjoy a beach bonfire on the James River shore as you watch several impressive fireworks demonstrations illuminate the sky!  View fireworks from Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, and Fort Eustis. 

A wagon will pick up campers in the campground at 8 pm. Non-campers please meet at the Visitor Center Parking Lot.  Feel free to bring a lawn chair and some bug spray.  S’mores will be provided!

First Landing State Park is a truly unique camping destination.  It is a 2,888 acre natural area set within the coastal urban area of Virginia Beach.  Essentially, you get the best of both worlds---the great outdoors and nature programs as well as easy access to great restaurants and attractions.





As a long-time Virginia Beach resident, park employee, and local tourist---I've developed a "sample itinerary" for a weeklong camping stay at First Landing complete with insider tips related to traffic, sights, park programs, and what to bring.

Day One--Friday

Campsite check-in begins at 4pm.  The contact station is the "gatehouse" located at the park entrance.  Because we have a very short driveway, you will be directed to pull through, park your vehicle and come to the front window to get your site assignment.  Be sure to watch the informational video while you are waiting to get your site assignment. 

Once you get your site set up, you can stop by the park's Campstore for anything you need.  The Campstore stocks groceries, RV parts, fishing gear, charcoal, firewood, souveniers, and more!!  Be sure to pick up a "Sunny Day Guide" from the kiosks outside the campstore...it is chock full of coupons.



After dinner, spend some time on the park's beautiful Chesapeake Bay beach.  There are no lifeguards on duty, but the slow wave action and shallow water make it a great spot for small children to play in the surf.




Once the sun sets, you'll want to build your own campfire. Firewood is available at the campstore--please don't burn deadfall or cut trees in the park.  If you like, join the park's evening Campfire program where you might make a few new friends while you eat some S'mores. 


Did you know First Landing State Park hold the Guinness World Record for the World's Largest S'more??!!  Stop by the Chesapeake Bay Center to find out just how big it was and how many chocolate bars, graham crackers, and marshallows it took to make it!



As you settle in for the night, remember quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.  The main contact station is staffed 24 hours a day from mid-June through mid-August.  If you have any questions or would like to report any problems, you can let them know.  


Day Two (Saturday)


Good morning!! If you haven't already set up a screened tent over your picnic table, you ought to do that first thing this morning.  In the cooler morning air, mosquitoes and biting flies can be an inconvenience. 

Be sure to reset your tent stakes--the park is in a wetlands area and the moisture in the soil can loosen your stakes after the morning dew is absorbed.  Also, be sure to secure your RV and any valuables while you explore the park and the Hampton Roads area.

Busch Gardens Amusement Park, the Virginia Beach Aquarium, the Boardwalk, the Cape Henry Lighthouse at Fort Story, and the Historic Triangle (Jamestown, Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg) area are the Top 5 things most visitors like to do while in the Hampton Roads area. 

We'll visit the Cape Henry Lighthouse today and the other attractions later in the week when the traffic and crowds should be lighter.

First Landing State Park is named for the First Landing of the Virginia Company that went on to settle England's first permanent colony, Jamestown, in the New World.   Before setting off for the Lighthouse at Fort Story, stop by the park's Chesapeake Bay Center First Landing Museum where you can get some perspective on the Virginia Company and their New World adventures. 



Once you walk through the First Landing exhibit, you're ready to head over to Fort Story to see the cross and lighthouse.  Fort Story is a working military base so be prepared by having appropriate identification with you and be prepared for a vehicle search.  Access to the lighthouse is via the Atlantic Ave/88th Street gates--about 5 miles east of the park on Shore Drive. (Turn left out of the park's campground entrace!)



There are strict rules about climbing the lighthouse stairs.  Children must be 42" tall, children can not be carried up the staris, and not backpacks or frontpacks are allowed. 

After visiting the lighthouse, you'll probably be ready to spend the afternoon on the beach.  Be sure to check the park's program schedule for evening guide hikes or nature programs.  Every Saturday night, First Landing offers an excellent night hike--and it is FREE!


Day Three (Sunday)


Sunday morning in a great time to visit the Oceanfront/Boardwalk.  To get there, turn left out of the park's campground entrace, follow Shore Drive until it turn into Atlantic Avenue.  There is a parking garage at 31st and Atlantic. 


The huge King Neptune statue is a great meeting place if your group wants to split up and do separate activities.   There are also many excellent and affordable breakfast spots nearby.  Bike rentals and skate rental kiosks are located up and down the boardwalk.

Lifeguards are on duty for much of the main summer season along the Oceanfront/Boardwalk.  A flag system is also in place.  Be mindful of the riptide current and heavy wave action along this section of the Atlantic.  Red flags mean no swimming; yellow flags mean to be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS--wade only to your ankes; green flags mean it is safe to swim.  The area past 5th Street is designated for surfer's only.  There is an excellent handicap/stroller accessible playground for small children at 5th Street.


On Sunday afternoon, I recommend you take a leisurely drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.  This 17-mile span is considered one of America's "Modern Marvels."  Just a few miles past the northern end of the bridge is Kiptopeke State Park.


Kiptopeke State Park has an excellent fishing pier and boat launch.  Kayaks are available for rent as well.


After working up an appetite fishing or hiking at Kiptopeke State Park, I recommend you stop by Stingray's for some great seafood and souveniers.

Day Four--Monday 

Traffic in Hampton Roads can be a challenge!  I recommend you hold off on Busch Gardens and the Historic Triangle until mid-week.  Since this is a tourist area and many people take long weekend trips, tunnel traffic westbound on Mondays can be very heavy.

Of course, you have to be flexible with the weather.  When I'm camping, I usually hold an indoor activity in reserve in case of rainy weather or severe sunburn from the previous day's activities.  The newly renovated Virginia Beach Aquarium makes for a great indoor activity!!

The Virginia Beach Aquarium has a IMAX movie theater, excellent outdoor walking trail, fabulous exhibits, a shark tank, seaturtle tank, and numerous touch tanks!  

First Landing State Park has an excellent partnership with the Aquarium.  Throughout the year, many rehabilitated sea mammals are released from the park into the wild.  While these events are unpredictable, you might get lucky and witness a seal release like this one that happened last year.



Day Five--Tuesday

Virginia's Historic Triangle is a unique area that bore witness to the settlement of the New World, the colonization of the New World and the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown that ensured victory for the American Revolutaries.   

As always, traffic approaching the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel can be heavy.  Tunnel back ups can sometimes reach 6 miles.  There are numerous signs that indicate the length of the back-up.  Bear in mind, on average, each mile of back up equates with a ten-minute delay.  I recommend that you leave early--before 7:30 a.m. and return late--after 7:30p.m. 

The bridge tunnel traffic is heaviest from 8am-10am and 3pm-7pm.  Use HOV lanes whenever possible.  Also, when traveling eastbound on your return trip--stay in the far left lane--it moves faster and allows you to avoid merging traffic.

There is so much to see and do in this area, I recommend you pick just one or two sites to focus on.  If you are looking to plan your visit with a timeline theme, you ought to visit the Jamestown sites first, then Colonial Williamsburg, ending with the Yorktown Victory Center and a visit to Riverwalk Landing for dinner or ice cream.

If Virgina's agrian history is more to your liking, take the ferry across the James River to Surry, Virginia and Chippokes Plantation State Park.  Chippokes Plantation State Park houses the Chippokes Farm & Forest Museum, the ante-bellum Stewart Mansion, and 18th century River House.  Don't forget your bathing suits for a dip in their olympic-sized swimming pool!



Once you return to the First Landing, check the program schedule for the Stargazing program times.  Stargazing is offered every Tuesday night!!


Day Five--Wednesday

It's Busch Gardens time!!  As a long-time annual passholder, I have a lot of experience with visiting Busch Gardens.  Even though it is mid-week traffic an be an issue near the Busch Gardens exit off I-64.  Arrive early and leave early evening  or arrive early afternoon and leave after the rides shut down. 

By going mid-week, you are avoiding the "locals crowd" that tend to visit Busch Gardens on the weekend and you are avoiding the "long weekenders" who visit on Mondays and Fridays.

Check out the Busch Gardens website for all the info you need to make the most of your visit.

If you return to First Landing in time, be sure to check out the Moonlight Movie offered every Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. in the park's amphitheater.  The movie is always age appropriate and has a nature/wildlife theme.  The movie is always free and popcorn/soda/candy is available at the Campstore.


Day Seven--Thursday

Now that you've thoroughly explored the Hampton Roads area, it is time to thoroughly explore the park. 

First Landing has 20 miles of trails!  You can rent a bike at the Campstore and ride the 6-mile (one way) Cape Henry Trail down to the Narrows/Broad Bay area.  This small beach and wetland area is great for birdwatching.  You might see eagles, owls, osprey, egrets, and herons. 


On Thursdays at 2pm, the park offers a "What's in the Nets?" program at the Chesapeake Bay Center Boardwalk.  Park naturalists, with your assistance, will seine for small fish, shellfish, shrimp, and crabs.  You can get an up close look at all the different marine life in the bay's shallows. 



Then at 4pm every Thursday, park naturalists conduct a guided hike through the Bald Cypress Trail.  You absolutely have to bring your camera to this program!!


Departure Day--Friday

Enjoy the beach in the morning and then make ready to check out of your site by 3 p.m.  Be sure to take all your trash to the dumpster at the Chesapeake Bay Center and notify the contact station staff of your departure.


Remember the campground is open seasonally from early March to early December, but the cabins are available for reservation year-round.



Happy Trails!

A visitor contributed post from Melody Scott of Richmond, Virginia

Around the end of February or beginning of March, I start getting that restless feeling in my stomach again. No, its not from too much Valentine’s candy or St. Patricks Day festivities, it’s the urge to start getting outdoors again, preferably for more than just an afternoon. By the end of April or beginning of May, depending how the weather is going, we’ll have done our first family camping trip of the year.

This year, I had reserved our camping spot online at Bear Creek State Park (VA has a great online reservation system) and in the process I found out about the Virginia ‘Trail Quest’ program. That's it, I'm hooked. We will now proceed to visit every State Park in Virginia over the next couple years. I’m on a mission. How could I not have known about this great program? You simply visit a State Park, hike any trail, write down the "secret" code for that park (available at the office or at the new electronic kiosks) and then enter the code online when you get back.

For the first park, you get a very nifty pin in the mail, and very quickly I might add! I signed me and my two young boys up for the program. You also get pins for the 5th, 10th, 15th, etc parks that you visit, with a special pin if you go to EVERY State park in Virginia (there’s 35, in case you’re wondering). Free stuff just for doing what my family and I would be doing anyway? You betcha!



But, back to the camping. Bear Creek Lake was a nice park, complete with playground and lake with swimming beach, two things a parent highly prizes when looking for a campground. Then again, most VA parks do offer those things. Just another perk of this State's beautifully managed Parks system. We went in the middle of May. The weather was perfect, the foliage a bright welcoming green, and the butterflies flitting beautifully all around the campsite, teasing the kids who tried vainly to net one to get a closer look. Since it was before the "busy" season that begins with Memorial Day weekend, there weren't too many other families there, so we had a nice feeling of solitude and privacy. There's really not an obnoxiously large number of camp sites anyway, so even in the peak season I doubt it feels very crowded. It felt good to finally get away with the family. No schedules or super-planned activities. Swim , hike, eat, sleep, swim some more. That's about it! Funny how the kids get so excited about doing something that can be explained in just a few words.


I smile gratefully every time my youngest son, age 3.5 years, asks when we can go camping again. Kids were meant to be outside, and they sure know it at that age!!! Last year, if we wanted to hike we had to count on carrying our youngest child on our backs for the majority of the hike. This year we figured he’d be able to hold his own and purposefully did not pack the child backpack carrier. I knew he could do a mile easily, but wasn’t sure how much more than that he’d be good for. Feeling ambitious, we decided to do the 2 mile hike along Channel Cat Trail. The trails at the park had been recently upgraded, and the Channel Cat had some very interesting interpretive signage that my 7-year-old son had to stop and read each time we came upon them. I’m happy to say that our little one made it the whole 2 miles on his own, with only some minor complaining towards the very end. We really enjoyed the trail, which pretty much circled the park, and it was a great way to check off our very first Trail Quest accomplishment.


In my excitement after we returned home, I entered the park code and trail we hiked online that night. Three lovely pins arrived in the mail only a few short days later! The kids and I were so pleased that we immediately began looking for other nearby parks that we could visit to check off more trails. We’re looking forward to hiking and camping at more Virginia State Parks over the summer and into the next few years. Maybe someday we’ll be able to get that special 35 park pin. I’m certainly going to try!

As you will be able to tell from this post, Rick Anderson is passionate about camping and photography. I ran across a post to his blog and asked him if he would be willing to do posts on camping in our Virginia State Parks. I'm thrilled he agreed and this is the first installment of what I hope will be many future posts. You can also find Rick on Twitter @onephotojourney and Facebook. Be sure not to miss his Flickr sets. Enjoy!


With summer now upon us it is a time when Americans dream of escaping to the great outdoors and time spent with family and friends. Quality time spent camping, fishing, swimming, hiking or simply watching the day pass relaxing in a hammock. Evenings spent catching a beautiful sunset, storytelling around a campfire or simply gazing at the stars far away from city lights. Quality time spent creating the types of memories and traditions that will last a lifetime.

Like many of you my family and friends look forward to summer time, and when we say summer time we think of one thing…camping! I have been camping since I have been a small child when my family would spend most summers traveling all over Virginia. The memories of Dad packing the station wagon and our family singing songs as we traveled across the Commonwealth are still among my fondest.


I have camped from one end of Virginia to the other and am very passionate about encouraging people to get out and discover the outdoors, and in particular Virginia. The Virginia State Parks offers visitors 24 parks with campgrounds, and over 1,700 campsites. The campsites vary greatly from primitive (offering fire grills, pit toilets and non-potable water) to some sites and parks offering electric and water hook-ups. As you can imagine the equipment and supplies will vary greatly from park to park, so successful planning is critical.

Remember, if you are visiting Virginia you are never more than an hour away from one of the award winning Virginia State Parks. It is my hopes that you will visit a park soon and discover the rich natural beauty Virginia has to offer!


Stay tuned, future posts will contain information about the various regions of Virginia, the camping opportunities offered by the Virginia State Parks in each region and the equipment and supplies needed for successful camping. All can vary greatly from region to region and seasonally in Virginia!

Have a question or comment about camping in a Virginia State Park? Please feel free to post a comment below.