Master Hiker ceremony at False Cape State Park

The medieval proverb, “All roads lead to Rome,” can be felt with each step along the Trail Quest journey. Many trails lead to a Virginia State Parks Master Hiker designation — each one unique and memorable — and just like the proverb’s intended meaning, there is more than one way to achieve this worthwhile goal.  

When my family discovered Trail Quest seven years ago, we immediately signed up. It was a no-brainer, as we had already set out to visit every state park as well as camp or stay overnight at each one with that option. This program just made it all the more fun, with mini celebrations in the form of commemorative pins along the way.  

Officially, our journey began in 2018 at Hungry Mother State Park, where my husband and I got engaged at the overlook on Molly’s Knob. However, separately, we had already spent a lot of time at our local Pocahontas State Park. Pocahontas was where I enjoyed many nights of camping with my toddler and preschooler after a sudden cross-country move to Virginia. It’s where I was first introduced to the beautiful outdoor spaces of the commonwealth. It’s where a single mom fell in love with our state parks, which led to a love story that forged a family. 

 
Moments before getting engaged on Molly’s Knob at Hungry Mother State Park

This family recently completed the quest. We have joined approximately 1,650 people who have received a Master Hiker certificate. The program, as it exists today, began in 2010, and with more than 28,000 registered participants, there are many more Master Hikers in the making.  

Are you one of them? Whether you are well on your way to the goal or have not yet joined the challenge, here are ten ways to get the most out of your quest. 

1. Visit for the day. 

Hiking Little Mountain Falls Trail at Fairy Stone State Park

Many Virginia State Parks offer overnight accommodations, but if you’re short on time, every park is well-suited for a day visit. Chatting with a ranger upon arrival is a great way to ensure you get the most out of your visit.  

As the name of the program indicates, selecting a trail or two to hike is an ideal way to explore the park, but you are not required to hike. Simply visiting the park and enjoying its amenities counts towards your journey.   

If you have limited mobility but still desire to hit the trails, several parks offer all-terrain wheelchairs. Learn more and reserve in advance by visiting the All-Terrain Wheelchairs webpage. 

If you have small children or do not consider yourself a hiker, check out my blog, 9 hikes for non-hikers. 

If you seek a trail with a bit of elevation gain, a breathtaking view and perhaps a great proposal spot, don’t miss hiking my personal favorite, Molly’s Knob Trail at Hungry Mother State Park. 

2. Stay overnight during your visit. 

Camping at Pocahontas State Park

The best way to immerse yourself in the state park experience is to stay overnight. With a variety of options, from renovated cabins to primitive camping, Virginia State Parks provide accommodations of all levels of comfort.  

In honor of maximizing my family’s Virginia State Parks experience, I decided to add another element to our goal. We camped at every park that offered that amenity (besides those with group camping only). We tent-camped in primitive campgrounds, camped in a pop-up camper and travel trailer at sites with electricity and water, and stayed in cabins, a yurt and a camping cabin. While some stays were more comfortable than others, every single one was a blast. 

In fact, the primitive campsites were some of our favorites. New River Trail State Park became one of my family’s top parks with its riverside walk-in campsites. The sound of rushing water over rocks as you sleep in a tent or hammock is hard to beat. To learn a few family-friendly tips for backcountry camping, read my blog about our time at Sky Meadows State Park. 

Camping at Sky Meadows State Park

Douthat State Park and its Whispering Pines Campground, with Wilson Creek running beside it, was another highlight. 

Our waterfront cabins at Fairy Stone and Smith Mountain Lake state parks offered the perfect blend of rustic charm and simple luxury, allowing us to enjoy both outdoor recreation and indoor relaxation.  

Cabin at Smith Mountain Lake State Park

To learn more about how to make the most of a camping cabin stay at Virginia State Parks, read my blog sharing our Shenandoah River State Park visit.  

If time allows, I highly recommend planning a week-long stay at a state park. Not only does this provide time to fully unwind and disconnect, but it also gives adequate time to thoroughly explore the park as well as its community. A few of our favorite towns with fun restaurants and things to do are in close proximity to state parks with overnight accommodations, including Front Royal (Shenandoah River State Park), Floyd (Fairy Stone State Park), Farmville (Bear Creek Lake State Park), Marion (Hungry Mother State Park), Clarksville (Occoneechee State Park) and Big Stone Gap (Natural Tunnel State Park). Additionally, significant historical sites can easily be visited, such as Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (Holliday Lake State Park) or Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement (Machicomoco and Chippokes state parks). 

3. Visit several in one trip.

Exploring Wilderness Road State Park

When it comes to visiting those day-use parks that are further from home, I suggest grouping a few to visit in one trip. While camping at a state park for a week or a long weekend, my family frequently took day trips to other parks. Those road trips became adventurous, fun-filled memories.  

Read about a few of them in my blogs, A Tidewater road trip: Machicomoco, York River and Chippokes, A Shenandoah road trip: Shenandoah River, Seven Bends and Sky Meadows, and A Potomac road trip: Westmoreland, Caledon, Widewater, Leesylvania and Mason Neck. 

4. Visit solo or with friends, family and fido. 

Family hike at Holiday Lake State Park

Several of our state park experiences were just the four of us, but many included my parents, who would either stay in a park cabin or somewhere nearby. A few of our trips were spent with friends who also enjoy camping. The online reservation system makes it easy to book sites next to each other. Almost all our visits included one or both of our dogs. Learn about pet policies and cabin fees on the website. 

Camping with friends at James River State Park

Additionally, Virginia State Parks are a great meetup spot for friends and family with long-distance relationships. Planning a hike or a camping trip with those who don’t live close by provides a way to make memories with loved ones while you make headway on your Trail Quest journey! 

5. Visit with a ranger or attend an event. 

Ranger-led hike into the tunnel at Natural Tunnel State Park

Some of the most fun and educational experiences at Virginia State Parks are ranger-led. Check the website for upcoming events and plan your Trail Quest itinerary based on activities that interest you. 

My family enjoyed Paint the Park at Machicomoco State Park, making macrame ornaments at Belle Isle State Park and touring the mansion at Chippokes State Park. My kids loved making shark tooth necklaces at Westmoreland State Park, painting hiking sticks at Hungry Mother State Park’s Trick Your Stick, learning to start a fire with flint and steel at Lake Anna State Park and participating in the Junior Ranger program at various parks.  

A definite highlight for us all was hiking into the tunnel in Natural Tunnel State Park’s Stock Creek Passage tunnel tour. The possibilities are endless! We’ve even participated in a Virginia State Parks Adventure Series race together! 

For more kid-friendly program ideas, hear what my kids have to say in my Q&A with kids who love Virginia State Parks. 

6. Visit during holidays or while celebrating milestones. 

First Day Hike at High Bridge Trail State Park

Getting engaged at Hungry Mother State Park was only the beginning of many milestones and holidays celebrated at Virginia State Parks. Our first anniversary was spent at Shenandoah River State Park. I’ve turned a year older three different times while camping at a state park. We’ve participated in numerous First Day Hikes. And holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day, have all been celebrated at one of Virginia’s beautiful state parks.  

Planning a wedding? Check out my interview with someone who got married at Pocahontas State Park in the blog, A state park wedding: Naturally beautiful, naturally budget-friendly. 

Celebrating holidays and special occasions at Virginia State Parks can make your quest to become a Master Hiker that much more festive! 

7. Paddle during your visit.  

Kayaking at New River Trail State Park

Did you know that while pursuing Trail Quest, you can also participate in the Wandering Waters Paddle Quest program? With 31 parks offering the program, it’s easy to simultaneously paddle and hike your way through Virginia State Parks! You simply log your paddles, whether on your own or ranger-guided, in your account on the State Parks Adventures page.  

My family has enjoyed kayaking, paddleboarding and floating at many of the parks. We highly recommend joining the ranger-led kayak tour at Machicomoco State Park, paddling out to the concrete fleet at Kiptopeke State Park, kayaking Austinville to Foster Falls at New River Trail State Park, touring the entire lake at Holliday Lake State Park, and floating at Shenandoah River and James River state parks. 

8. Collect something from each visit. 

Trail Quest pins displayed on my backpack

Throughout the Trail Quest journey, you will earn five Virginia State Park pins. I proudly display mine on my hiking pack. But if you’d like to commemorate each park you visit, there are many ways to do this. Most parks have a gift shop, and my family would purchase a hiking medallion on each trip. Currently hanging on a wall in our family room are two wooden canoe paddles covered in medallions. We love this visual representation of our adventures!  

Follow Virginia State Parks' Facebook page and Instagram for glimpses of Master Hiker ceremonies and gain inspiration from the unique ways fellow explorers have commemorated their state park visits. 

9. Visit quickly or take your time. 

Backpacking at Caledon State Park

There are no time limitations on this journey. Some complete it within a year, like Kelly Roach, who not only achieved Master Hiker status with her daughter but also became a Virginia Master Naturalist at the same time! Read about it in her blog, Mother and daughter become Virginia Master Hikers and Master Naturalists together in 1 year. Others take many years to complete their goal. There is no wrong way to Trail Quest! 

It took my family seven years, largely due to our love of long camping trips, but also because my husband is a cancer patient. An unforgettable moment during our quest was watching my husband backpack to our campsite at Caledon State Park, soon after a strenuous recovery from a T-cell transplant. 

The outdoor spaces of Virginia State Parks have a wonderful way of bringing motivation on the road to recovery and healing.  

10. Make a list of parks to revisit during different seasons. 

Revisiting Molly’s Knob at Hungry Mother State Park

Take lots of notes along the way! We made a list of parks we wanted to return to, including campsites that would work well for our rig, activities we wanted to try out in different seasons, and more.  

We became Master Hikers during our bikepacking trip to False Cape State Park in September, where Ranger Nathan provided us with a wealth of information about the park and the surrounding area. A perfect conclusion to this educational, exciting, scenic journey!  

Even before our Master Hiker ceremony took place, we already had reservations for a Thanksgiving camping trip. At the top of our list of parks to return to was Hungry Mother, of course. This time, we hiked Molly’s Knob with our kids and my parents — a full circle moment of gratitude.  

Start your Trail Quest today! 

So many diverse landscapes, unique experiences and incredible people await you on your journey. Set up your account and set off on an adventure, one Virginia State Park at a time!