Virginia State Parks are open and ready for Spring Break visitors

Every Virginia State Park is offering special activities and programs during the time when most of the state’s school districts are on spring break, March 30- April 15. The state’s 35 parks will offer special ranger-led educational programs, self-guided activities, and other programs reflecting the unique character of each park, according to a news release from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

DCR State Parks Director Joe Elton said new workshops and activities, special guided hikes, and many other ways and opportunities for families to enjoy spring break are being offering including the popular geo-caching program which is available in every Virginia State Park.

Geo-caching is an outdoors scavenger hunt with a 21st-century twist. Electronic global positioning system (GPS) units are used to find caches hidden at predetermined GPS coordinates. Caches include a log book and assorted trinkets to swap or keep. Caches in Virginia State Parks include collectable wildflower cards, and prizes are available for dedicated geo-cachers who log multiple finds.

For more about geo-caching, visit http://www.geocaching.com to register and record all your geo-cache finds. Every Virginia State Park has GPS geo-caching units available for rent at $6 per half day and $10 for a full day.

All state park campgrounds are open too. Elton noted campsites range from primitive to RV size and appeal to experienced and novice campers. “Several parks offer camping cabins, which provide the fun and excitement of camping but offer the extra comfort of being indoors. And of course we have our popular rental cabins and family lodges with beautiful views and all the comforts of home,” he was quoted as saying.

Although cabin and campground reservations are accepted up to 11 months in advance, good campsites are available nearly all the time, according to DCR sources.

For more information about Virginia State Parks activities and amenities or to make reservations in one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit http://www.virginiastateparks.gov.