When the upcoming calendar holds time off from indoor work or school, time outdoors comes calling. A holiday centered around the gathering of family and friends in gratitude especially beckons to be spent in the tranquility of Virginia’s state parks. With Opt Outside day following on the heels of Thanksgiving, this four-day weekend is the perfect opportunity to trot over to a state park and make a few memories.

Plan a Thanksgiving getaway

Cabin at Fairy Stone State Park

Booking a cabin offers the option to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal, while choosing a campsite can be a fun way to celebrate and give thanks in a more minimalist, unconventional manner. There is also a third option my family has enjoyed over the years: gathering at home for a Thanksgiving lunch and then hitting the road with the camper for a long weekend at a state park.

November weather can provide ideal camping temperatures before winter shows up!

Make your overnight reservations at https://reservevaparks.com.

Run a turkey trot or hike a trail

Fall race at Caledon State Park

Whether you are a speedy turkey or prefer to trot the slower scenic routes, there are organized races and ranger-led hikes of all paces. Work up your turkey appetite Thanksgiving morning by running in a family-friendly 5K or kid’s 1-mile race at Smith Mountain Lake State Park’s Turkey Trot on Nov. 27. Caledon State Park’s Turkey Chase takes place the Saturday before Thanksgiving on Nov. 22, with a 1-mile race for all ages and a 5K for runners age 13 and up. On that same day, Occoneechee State Park will be holding a Turkey Trot Kids Fun Run and a Turkey Trot 5K. Clinch River State Park will offer a ranger-guided After Thanksgiving Hike on Nov. 28.

As always, the state parks’ more than 700 miles of trails are available for post-Thanksgiving hikes and bike rides, so gather your group and enjoy exploring in the crisp fall air.

Find information on trails at https://dcr.am.virginia.gov/state-parks/trails.

Opt Outside

Opt Outside at Pocahontas State Park

Encouraging families to opt outside the Friday following Thanksgiving, rather than go Black Friday shopping, has been a fun tradition at Virginia State Parks. The outdoors provides a great setting to make family memories, and the state parks offer a variety of ways to do just that. Enjoy a solo adventure or bring friends and family along. Choose self-guided exploration or join a ranger-led activity. #OptOutside this year and be sure to share your photos with us by tagging the Virginia State Parks social media channels!

Learn more at https://dcr.am.virginia.gov/state-parks/optoutside.

Prepare for the winter holiday season

30th Annual Festival of Trees at Southwest Virginia Museum

After Thanksgiving trots on by, the winter holiday season quickly appears. Virginia State Parks offer several opportunities during the last weekend of November and into December to kick off the festivities.

Marvel at the lavishly and creatively decorated Southwest Virginia Museum during its 30th Annual Festival of Trees from Nov. 9 through Dec. 31, with a special event taking place on Nov. 29. Festival of Trees: An Evening Aglow offers visitors the opportunity to view the museum in a different light, with overhead lights turned off. Join Wilderness Road State Park Nov. 28-30, and weekends through December, for the Karlan Christmas: Parade of Trees. Shop for gifts and support local small businesses at Fairy Stone State Park’s Holiday Market on Nov. 29.

Planning another state park visit shortly after Thanksgiving? Lights at the Lake, Bear Creek Lake State Park’s annual drive-through light show event, will begin on Dec. 5. Natural Bridge State Park will be lit up with festive lighting and awash with holiday spirit for two weekends in December during its 2025 Luminary Nights. Also, enjoy lights and displays at Natural Tunnel State Park’s Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel beginning on Nov. 28.

Find more holiday events and programs at https://dcr.am.virginia.gov/state-parks/events.

Give thanks, trot the trails and welcome the upcoming festive season this Thanksgiving weekend!