Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!

• Mountain Peaks to Coastal Getaways: Season 5 Finale, Win a $50 Gift Card to River Rock Outfitter (Ep 77)

  After 10,000 miles crisscrossing Virginia, 17 full episodes, and 4 bonus features, Season Five of Virginia Outdoor Adventures has been a remarkable journey of discovery and connection. What began as a pandemic project has evolved into a five-season exploration of the Commonwealth's most breathtaking outdoor destinations, hidden gems, and adventure opportunities. This season marked several firsts, including five solo episodes covering practical topics like packing checklists and seasonal bucket lists. The Virginia Adventure Town series continued to captivate listeners with comprehensive guides to Onancock, Big Stone Gap, and Martinsville – destinations where tourism dollars make a meaningful impact on small communities. Educational episodes on wilderness survival, snake identification, and secondhand gear shopping provided valuable knowledge for outdoor enthusiasts, while special features on forest bathing and wild caving introduced listeners to unique outdoor experiences. Your feedback has shaped this podcast from the beginning, guiding content creation and helping it grow beyond what I ever imagined possible. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what outdoor adventures you want to explore in Season Six. Share your feedback through the listener survey in the show notes for a chance to win a $50 gift card to River Rock Outfitter. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive updates and discounts, or consider supporting the show through Buy Me A Coffee. Your contributions directly fund the thousands of miles traveled to bring Virginia's outdoor wonders to your ears. Adventure on, Friends – I'll see you in the fall!Follow VAOA Podcast:Instagram I Facebook I Newsletter Sign Up Support the Show! Buy Me A CoffeeShop the Virginia Outdoor Adventures Merch Store!VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:Virginia Association for ParksBreaks Interstate ParkVirginia State ParksHeart of Appalachia Advertisers:Visit Grayson CountyVirginia State Parks Interpretive ProgramsMentioned in this episode:Take the Listener SurveyFan Mail - Send Jessica a Text MessageContact show host, Jessica Bowser: [email protected]

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• Primitive Camping and Backpacking in Virginia State Parks with Ranger Amelia Hulth, Powhatan State Park (Ep 76, Part 2)

  If you’ve ever dreamed of backpacking through the wild but felt unsure about jumping straight into the backcountry, primitive camping in Virginia State Parks might be your perfect middle ground. Ranger Amelia Hulth from Powhatan State Park describes how these minimalist campsites offer just enough amenities to keep things comfortable while giving you a true taste of the wild. We review each primitive campground, including distance to hike in, terrain, difficulty level, and amenities. From Belle Isle’s easy 1.5-mile hike to scenic riverfront sites to the rugged 8-mile trek to False Cape that rewards you with remote beachside solitude, there’s something for every skill level and sense of adventure. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build backpacking skills or a seasoned camper craving a quieter connection with nature, Virginia State Parks’ primitive camping experience is your gateway to a wilder Virginia. Let’s Go!Follow VAOA Podcast:Instagram I Facebook I Newsletter Sign Up Support the Show! Buy Me A CoffeeShop the Virginia Outdoor Adventures Merch Store!VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:Virginia Association for ParksBreaks Interstate ParkVirginia State ParksHeart of Appalachia Advertisers:Visit Grayson CountyVirginia State Parks Interpretive ProgramsMentioned in this Episode:Connect with Ranger Amelia Hulth: Email [email protected] I Powhatan State ParkVirginia State Parks Primitive CampgroundsLet's Go Adventures - Backpacking (Camping) ScheduleEpisode 56 - Let's Go AdventuresFan Mail - Send Jessica a Text MessageContact show host, Jessica Bowser: [email protected]

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• Primitive Camping and Backpacking in Virginia State Parks with Ranger Amelia Hulth, Powhatan State Park (Ep 76, Part 1)

  If you’ve ever dreamed of backpacking through the wild but felt unsure about jumping straight into the backcountry, primitive camping in Virginia State Parks might be your perfect middle ground. Ranger Amelia Hulth from Powhatan State Park describes how these minimalist campsites offer just enough amenities to keep things comfortable while giving you a true taste of the wild. We review each primitive campground, including distance to hike in, terrain, difficulty level, and amenities. From Belle Isle’s easy 1.5-mile hike to scenic riverfront sites to the rugged 8-mile trek to False Cape that rewards you with remote beachside solitude, there’s something for every skill level and sense of adventure. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build backpacking skills or a seasoned camper craving a quieter connection with nature, Virginia State Parks’ primitive camping experience is your gateway to a wilder Virginia. Let’s Go!Follow VAOA Podcast:Instagram I Facebook I Newsletter Sign Up Support the Show! Buy Me A CoffeeShop the Virginia Outdoor Adventures Merch Store!VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:Virginia Association for ParksBreaks Interstate ParkVirginia State ParksHeart of Appalachia Advertisers:Visit Grayson CountyVirginia State Parks Interpretive ProgramsMentioned in this Episode:Connect with Ranger Amelia Hulth: Email [email protected] I Powhatan State ParkVirginia State Parks Primitive CampgroundsLet's Go Adventures - Backpacking (Camping) ScheduleEpisode 56 - Let's Go AdventuresFan Mail - Send Jessica a Text MessageContact show host, Jessica Bowser: [email protected]

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• Virginia’s Adventure Towns: Martinsville – Blueways, Trails, Camping and more in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge with Anna Wheeler and Brian Williams, Dan River Basin Association (Ep 75, Part 2)

  Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Martinsville reveals itself as an unexpected paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Anna Wheeler and Brian Williams from the Dan River Basin Association share their intimate knowledge of this small city with its outsized adventure potential.The Smith River Blueway provides 45 miles of accessible paddling and world-class trout fishing on the crown jewel of Martinsville. Just beyond city limits, Philpott Lake offers 25 miles of undeveloped shoreline with camping, paddling, and hiking opportunities.Bring your bike or borrow one for free and ride the Smith River Trail System, a network of local trails, including the 11-mile paved Dick & Willie Passage Trail, that serves as both recreation corridor and community connector.Anna and Brian also highlight local museums, culinary gems, and fascinating history to add to your must-do Martinsville bucket list. Let’s Go!This is Part 2 of a two-part episode.Follow VAOA Podcast:Instagram I Facebook I Newsletter Sign Up Support the Show! Buy Me A CoffeeShop the Virginia Outdoor Adventures Merch Store!VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:Visit Martinsville Henry CountyVirginia Association for ParksBreaks Interstate ParkVirginia State ParksHeart of Appalachia Mentioned in this Episode:Visit Martinsville Henry CountyConnect with Anna Wheeler and Brian Williams:Dan River Basin Association I Facebook I InstagramSmith River BluewaySmith River OutfittersPhilpott LakeSmith River Trail SystemDick and Willie Passage Rail TrailYMCA Bike BarnBeaver Creek ReservoirSmith River Sports ComplexMayo River State ParkFood & DrinkMuseums, Arts, & CulturalThings to Do in MartinsvilleLodgingFan Mail - Send Jessica a Text MessageContact show host, Jessica Bowser: [email protected]

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• Virginia’s Adventure Towns: Martinsville – Blueways, Trails, Camping and more in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge with Anna Wheeler and Brian Williams, Dan River Basin Association (Ep 75, Part 1)

  Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Martinsville reveals itself as an unexpected paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Anna Wheeler and Brian Williams from the Dan River Basin Association share their intimate knowledge of this small city with its outsized adventure potential.The Smith River Blueway provides 45 miles of accessible paddling and world-class trout fishing on the crown jewel of Martinsville. Just beyond city limits, Philpott Lake offers 25 miles of undeveloped shoreline with camping, paddling, and hiking opportunities.Bring your bike or borrow one for free and ride the Smith River Trail System, a network of local trails, including the 11-mile paved Dick & Willie Passage Trail, that serves as both recreation corridor and community connector.Anna and Brian also highlight local museums, culinary gems, and fascinating history to add to your must-do Martinsville bucket list. Let’s Go!Join us next week as we dive into Martinsville’s local attractions, including museums, culinary gems, and one of the newest state parks that is open and welcoming visitors. Follow VAOA Podcast:Instagram I Facebook I Newsletter Sign Up Support the Show! Buy Me A CoffeeShop the Virginia Outdoor Adventures Merch Store!VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:Visit Martinsville Henry CountyVirginia Association for ParksBreaks Interstate ParkVirginia State ParksHeart of Appalachia Mentioned in this Episode:Visit Martinsville Henry CountyConnect with Anna Wheeler and Brian Williams:Dan River Basin Association I Facebook I InstagramSmith River BluewaySmith River OutfittersPhilpott LakeSmith River Trail SystemDick and Willie Passage Rail TrailYMCA Bike BarnFan Mail - Send Jessica a Text MessageContact show host, Jessica Bowser: [email protected]

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