Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., Feb. 15 through April 30. Learn more.
Read Our Blogs
5 ways to spend more time in nature in 2026
Posted December 22, 2025
If your New Year's resolution is to spend more time outside this year, look no further than Virginia State Parks. With 44 unique parks from the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, the opportunities for outdoor adventures are endless.
See Virginia’s fall colors in a whole new way: Join a ranger-led adventure
Posted September 30, 2025
This season, parks across the state are offering a variety of ranger-led activities designed to help you enjoy fall colors in unforgettable ways.
5 must-do activities at Claytor Lake State Park
Posted May 26, 2025
Claytor Lake State Park is a go-to destination for water enthusiasts. Its 4,500-acre lake offers roughly 4 miles of lake frontage, including a sandy beach. While the water draws many people in, it's not all this park offers.
5 parks to explore within an hour of Roanoke
Posted March 17, 2025
In addition to its own opportunities for connecting with nature, Roanoke provides you with easy access to five Virginia State Parks: Claytor Lake, Douthat, Fairy Stone, Smith Mountain Lake and Natural Bridge.
5 ways to explore parks after dark
Posted July 11, 2024
While Virginia's state parks are known for their daytime activities, they offer a new world of adventure after dark. From stargazing and firefly watching to owl prowls and moonlit kayaking tours, there's something for everyone.


















