Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., beginning Feb. 15 through April 30, per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

Wandering Waters Paddle Quest

The wandering waters of Virginia connect communities and people across landscapes and through time. From mountain streams and lakes to tidal rivers and bays, the waters of Virginia provide an endless source of adventure and fun. Beginners can get into paddle sports at one of our tranquil lakes or go with the flow on a lazy stretch of river. Get on the water and explore at a Virginia State Park. Get prizes just for doing so.

There are 42 total state parks, with 31 offering the Paddle Quest program. You must visit the Know Before You Go section on each park page before visiting and check with the park about operating hours and availability. Park rentals are subject to change due to staffing and water/weather conditions.

Here's how it works:

Visit a Virginia State Park and participate in a paddle based adventure in one of three ways:
- Join a Ranger Guided paddle program
- Rent paddle equipment from the park and go on a self-guided tour
- Bring your own equipment and design your own paddling experience

After your visit, log into (or make a new account on) the State Park Adventures page.
Select the name of the park you visited, pick "Wandering Waters," and record the date of the visit and method of participation. The “Wandering Waters” option will only be available if the park you select has paddling amenities.
The State Park Adventures system keeps track of your progress and you will receive email confirmation.
Paddles taken at a park prior to the start of the program on May 3, 2023, do not count towards the Wandering Waters program.

Here's what you get when you paddle at participating parks:

Paddle at 5 parks and you get a sticker.
Paddle at 10 parks and you get a patch.
Paddle at 20 parks and you get a mesh gear bag.
Paddle at all 31 parks that offer the program, and you get a cellphone dry bag and a certificate.

Wandering Waters Paddle Quest prizes

Get more information about the program by reading a Q&A with program creator Sammy Zambon.

Sign up now!

Chesapeake Bay Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
Belle Isle	yes	yes	yes
Caledon	yes	no	no
Machicomoco	yes	no	yes
Westmoreland	yes	yes	yes
Coastal VA - Eastern Shore Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
Kiptopeke	yes	yes	yes
Coastal VA - Hampton Roads Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
First Landing	no	no	yes
False Cape	yes	no	yes
Chippokes	yes	no	yes
York River	yes	yes	yes
Northern Virginia Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
Widewater	yes	yes	yes
Lake Anna	yes	no	yes
Leesylvania	yes	yes	yes
Mason Neck	yes	yes	yes
Shenandoah Valley Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
Shenandoah River	yes	no	yes
Seven Bends	yes	no	yes
Central Virginia Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
James River	yes	yes	yes
Pocahontas	yes	yes	yes
Powhatan	yes	no	yes
Bear Creek Lake	yes	yes	yes
Twin Lakes	yes	yes	yes
Holliday Lake	yes	yes	yes
Southern Virginia Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
Fairy Stone	yes	yes	yes
Occoneechee	no	yes	yes
Staunton River	yes	no	yes
Virginia Mountains Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
Douthat	yes	yes	yes
Smith Mountain Lake	yes	yes	yes
Blue Ridge Highlands Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
Claytor Lake	no	yes	yes
New River Trail	yes	yes	yes
Hungry Mother	yes	yes	yes
Heart of Appalachia Parks	Ranger Led	Rental Equipment	Bring Your Own Equipment
Clinch River	yes	no	yes
Natural Tunnel	yes	no	yes