Trail-related activities at every Va. State Park for Nat’l Trails Day June 6

With more than 500 miles of trails, celebrate National Trails Day on June 6 than Virginia State Parks.

All Virginia state parks will offer special events or activities on June 6 geared towards trails. State parks in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, like Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge and Mason Neck State Park in Fairfax, will also mark the 27th annual Clean the Bay Day with special activities.

National Trails Day is sponsored by the American Hiking Society.

Activities across Virginia include:

High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville offers the annual 5K, “Run for Your Life.”

Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane has a special horseback ride planned for riders who bring their own horse.  Also at Sky Meadows, cyclists looking for a new challenge can join Element Sports of Winchester for a ride on the multi-use trails at the base of the Blue Ridge backcountry.

Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield is offering three different hikes throughout the day.

Grayson Highlands in Mouth of Wilson will offer different experiences, including a 9-mile trek on the Appalachian Trail to Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, and trail maintenance on the Cabin Creek Trail.

Natural Tunnel in Duffield offers a canoe trip on the Clinch River, a historic hike, a wild cave tour and a night hike to demonstrate different trail experiences. New River Trail State Park partners with Mike McMillion, owner and head Bike Mechanic of Pulaski Bikes LLC, for a demonstration of basic road and trail side maintenance. 

State parks will also offer opportunities to help maintain trails and improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. At Staunton River Battlefield, in Randolph, there will be work on the initial layout and construction of a new trail around Mulberry Hill Pond. At James River State Park in Gladstone, float along the James River to Treasure Island. Visitors can earn a free wagon ride by collecting 15 pieces of trash. At First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, volunteers will clear debris from Bald Cypress swamps, Broad Bay and the beach along the Chesapeake Bay.

Read the details of all June 6 National Trails Day park programs at http://bit.ly/2015NTD Some .activities require advance registration.

Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

For more information about state park activities and amenities, or to make cabin or camping reservations, call the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275 or visit http://www.virginiastateparks.gov.