Virginia State Parks

With a goal to go trail running at every Virginia State Park, Jessica Hairfield became a Master Hiker in just 12 months! 👟 Read our Q&A to learn about her Trail Quest, including favorite trails to run and insights on how she did it in a year. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/emusNzcv

Have you completed our survey about your experiences visiting Lake Anna or Leesylvania state parks in the last 10 years? [En español ⬇️] If not, please complete it now. The survey is open for just a bit longer and it is important that we hear from you. Click on the link below to take the survey. ❓ Survey [encuesta]: https://lnkd.in/enA9tUUF ¿Ha completado nuestra encuesta sobre sus experiencias al visitar el Lake Anna o el Leesylvania state parks en algún momento de los últimos 10 años? Si no es así, complétela ahora. La encuesta estará abierta por un poco más de tiempo y es importante que sepamos de usted. Haga clic en el enlace a continuación para realizar la encuesta.

Good Fire! 🔥 It was a successful burn season for Virginia State Parks this spring. Park rangers utilize prescribed fire (aka good fire) to promote ecosystem health. These controlled burns are used to achieve specific goals like oak regeneration in forests, improved grasslands and habitat restoration. 🌱 Prescribed fire also reduces the risk of wildfires, by removing available fuel, such as dead trees and leaves. Years of excessive fire suppression have left many species and ecosystems that rely on intermittent fire in poor condition, and have left forests primed for extreme, out-of-control wildfires. 🚒 By mimicking natural fire, prescribed burns allow these species to once again thrive, and forests to return to their natural regenerative cycles from when they had regular, low-intensity fires. 📷 Parks pictured and photographer: 1-Staunton River State Park, by District 5 Resource Specialist Reed Stanley 2-Powhatan State Park, also by Reed Stanley 3-Holliday Lake State Park, by State Parks Planning Assistant Catherine Mcguigan 4-James River State Park, by District 3 Resource Specialist Al Cire ⚠️ BTW Fall fire season is here, until November 30! Reminders for safe campfires at Virginia State Parks: - Campfires are only allowed within a provided fire ring or grill (not allowed at False Cape State Park) - Never leave your campfire unattended - Fully extinguish your campfire: drown, stir, ensure it's cool, repeat as necessary More tips from Virginia Department of Forestry

Congrats to new Master Hikers Kirby and Laura Smith for completing Trail Quest! 🥾 Their journey spans over a decade, having start in September 2014 at Grayson Highlands and completing this summer at Shenandoah River. Here they are accepting their certificates at Pocahontas. Learn how to add Master Hiker to your resume: https://lnkd.in/gQN99sw

Congratulations to Tim Morris who completed Trail Quest in just 98 days! 😮 Tim started on June 5, 2024 at Pocahontas and finished at Wilderness Road on Sept. 11, 2024. He accepted his Master Hiker certificate at Powhatan for completing the quest from Chief Ranger Visitor Experience Hilda Lestrange. Sign up for Trail Quest or learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gQN99sw

This past week, John Fury, park manager and law enforcement ranger at James River State Park, deployed to Western North Carolina as part of a Search and Rescue Strike Force. The team, organized by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, included 14 highly trained search and rescue personnel and 4 specialized K9s. Together, they tackled some of the hardest-hit areas in the wake of Hurricane Helene, including Fairview, Bat Cave, Buncombe County and Henderson County. Working alongside an extraordinary group of partners—Virginia State Police, Black Diamond Search and Rescue, K9 Alert Search and Rescue Dogs, GARD K9 Search and Rescue, Blue and Gray Search and Rescue, Search and Rescue Tracking Institute and Botetourt Fire and Rescue Special Operations—the team provided critical aid to communities devastated by the storm. This deployment showcases the versatility and dedication of DCR's Virginia State Parks staff, who, whether maintaining our beautiful parks or responding to disasters, are always ready to lend a hand in times of need.

Congrats new Master Hikers Susan & John Lipps for completing Trail Quest this summer. 👏 They began in the summer of 2021 at Smith Mountain Lake & finished this summer at Occoneechee, receiving their certificates close to home at Pocahontas. 🥾 Trail Quest info: https://lnkd.in/gQN99sw

Sweet Run State Park has been part of the Virginia State Parks system for one year! 💚 This could be your office, in northern Virginia along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Now hiring for a Maintenance Ranger Supervisor: https://lnkd.in/e9XgSr3G Photos from Oct. 5, 2023.

Your input could help Virginia State Parks! [En español ⬇️] Share your opinions and experiences at Lake Anna State Park or Leesylvania State Park. Please take a few minutes to complete our visitor survey about one or both of these parks, if you've visited in the last 10 years. It will help park staff better understand and manage visitors and keep the park safe and enjoyable for your next visit. ❓ Survey [encuesta]: https://lnkd.in/enA9tUUF ¡Ayude a los parques estatales de Virginia! Comparta sus opiniones y experiencias en el Lake Anna State Park o el Leesylvania State Park (en la foto). Tómese unos minutos para completar nuestra encuesta para visitantes sobre uno o ambos parques, si ha visitado alguno de estos parques en los últimos 10 años. Esto ayudará al personal del parque a comprender y gestionar mejor a los visitantes y a mantener el parque seguro y agradable para su próxima visita.

Know before you go! ⚠️ Due to Hurricane Helene, numerous Virginia State Parks are closed or partially closed as of today. Please find the most up to date information here: https://lnkd.in/eYmBgWce For your safety as well as the safety of park staff and emergency response workers, please do not attempt to access areas or parks that have been closed.