The Code of Virginia requires that master plans be written for existing and proposed Virginia State Parks. The plans cover the size, types and locations of facilities as well as the site's special features and resources. Plans also cover infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, and they outline phased development and costs for operations, maintenance and staffing.

For new parks, the site's cultural, natural and developed resources are inventoried. An advisory committee, appointed by the agency, meets several times during the planning process. The committee and DCR staff review the park’s resource information to consider appropriate park development.

Three public meetings are held at key times during the planning process. At the first meeting, he park's purpose statement, goals, objectives, conditions, and site inventory and analysis are discussed at the first public meeting. Once a draft of the master plan is written, it is discussed in another public meeting. Comments from the public meetings are considered and integrated into the final master plan. The final plan is presented at a Board of Conservation and Recreation meeting, which is also public. After the board accepts the plan, it is sent to all members of the General Assembly for comments. DCR's director then signs off on the plan.

Every five years, each state park master plan is reviewed and, if needed, updated. Planners meet with park staff to identify new land acquisitions, development, and progress on the master plan. Development and external and internal factors impacting the park also are assessed. If changes are significant or the location for planned facilities has changed from the original master plan, a public meeting will be held. Five-year updates are incorporated into the original master plan and presented to the board and director for approval.

Master plans (PDFs)

• Belle Isle State Park Executive Summary Update, March 22, 2011
• Caledon Natural Area Executive Summary Update, March 2011 update and April 2012 amendment
• Chippokes Plantation State Park Executive Summary Update, December 2011 update and April 2012 amendment
• Fairy Stone State Park Executive Summary Update, March 22, 2011
• Grayson Highlands State Park Executive Summary Update, Sept. 2, 2011
• Lake Anna State Park Executive Summary Update, Sept. 2, 2011
• Middle Peninsula State Park Executive Summary, Oct. 15, 2010
• Occoneechee State Park Executive Summary Update, Jan. 5, 2012
• Pocahontas State Park Executive Summary Update, March 22, 2011
• Seven Bends State Park Executive Summary, Aug. 12, 2008
• Shenandoah River State Park Executive Summary Update, Jan. 5, 2012
• Sky Meadows State Park Executive Summary Update, Sept. 2, 2011
• Smith Mountain Lake State Park Executive Summary Update, March 22, 2011
• Southwest Virginia Museum Executive Summary Update, Sept. 2, 2011
• Twin Lakes State Park Executive Summary Update, March 22, 2011
• Westmoreland State Park Executive Summary Update, Jan. 5, 2012
• York River State Park Executive Summary Update, Jan. 5, 2012

Draft master plan(s) (PDFs)

• New River Trail State Park Executive Summary draft, posted Dec. 25, 2011