Spring Burning Restrictions February 15 through April 30
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
Spring Burning Restrictions February 15 through April 30
Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., Feb. 15 through April 30.
Learn more
.
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Spring Burning Restrictions February 15 through April 30
Spring Burning Restrictions February 15 through April 30
Read Our Blogs
Spring Burning Restrictions February 15 through April 30
By
Nancy Heltman
Posted January 29, 2026
All of our
Virginia State Parks
fall under the special spring burning restrictions required under
state law
between February 15 and April 30 annually. According to the Department of Forestry, fires are more likely in late winter and early spring because winds are higher, relative humidity is lower, and the fuels on the forest floor are dry due to having had no shade all winter. Winds usually calm down after 4 p.m., and relative humidity levels rise, making it less likely for debris or open-air fires to escape.
Obey the law when it comes to burning restrictions to help prevent wildfires.
Fires like this are only allowed only after 4 p.m. until midnight.
Charcoal or wood fire in a fire ring at one of our cabins or in the picnic area i
s
not allowed
during burn restriction times.
Open fires
, which include charcoal and wood fires, are
prohibited between midnight and 4:00 p.m.
each year from February 15 through April 30 in
all of our parks
. Open fires are allowed after 4 p.m. and until midnight.* The burn restrictions apply to the entire park, including the picnic areas and cabin area (even cabins with grills or fire rings).
Gas grills or propane stoves
are permitted during that period, and visitors are encouraged to bring them to use while camping or picnicking.
Personal grills
may only be used in designated picnic areas, campgrounds and at your reserved cabin (outside of this time period, some parks have personal grill restrictions, so please check with the park before making plans to bring one).
ONLY EXCEPTION: DEVELOPED CAMPGROUNDS WITH CAMP HOSTS
After much discussion with the Virginia Department of Forestry, we were able to receive an exception for our campgrounds that have a camp host
in residence
during this time. Campgrounds will post signage as to whether a host is on duty or not.
Open fires are allowed before 4 p.m. at parks with camp hosts if the fire is maintained within a designated campfire ring or circle. It must be under constant supervision until it is completely extinguished. All flammable material should be cleared from a 20-foot area around the fire, and campers must also have ready access to water, rake and shovel.
Having a camp host resident in the campground does not permit open-air fires in the other parts of the park.
You can contact the park directly to ask about the camp host status in our developed campgrounds. Our primitive campgrounds (meaning those without bathhouses) do not have hosts.
*Open fires are never allowed at
False Cape State Park
.
**
Grayson Highlands
' camping is operated as primitive until May 1. There is no host, so open fires are not allowed.
CATEGORIES
Cabins and Lodges
|
Camping
|
Get Outside
|
Picnicking
If you have read the article and have a question, please email
nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov
.
COMMENTS
Virginia State Parks
(March 31, 2017 08:18:53 PM)
:
Charles - not allowed per the law. Only gas/propane or in the campground, if we have a camp host on duty.
Virginia State Parks
(March 05, 2016 07:32:07 PM)
:
No. The host has to be on duty in the campground. The tent sites are significantly removed from where the host is located.
Virginia State Parks
(March 03, 2016 06:41:05 PM)
:
Yes.
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Volunteer Host
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eNewsletter sign up
Partnerships
Virginia State Parks are managed by the
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
600 E. Main St., 24
th
Floor | Richmond, VA 23219
To learn about park offerings and overnight accommodations, email
resvs@dcr.virginia.gov
or call
800-933-PARK (7275)
.
Address other general inquiries to
vastateparks@dcr.virginia.gov
.
Please send website comments to
web@dcr.virginia.gov
.
Copyright © 2026, Virginia IT Agency. All rights reserved.
Last Modified:
Thursday, 16 April 2026, 04:59:36 PM
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Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., Feb. 15 through April 30.
Learn more
.
Home
>
Blog
>
Spring Burning Restrictions February 15 through April 30
Spring Burning Restrictions February 15 through April 30
Read Our Blogs
Spring Burning Restrictions February 15 through April 30
By
Nancy Heltman
Posted January 29, 2026
All of our
Virginia State Parks
fall under the special spring burning restrictions required under
state law
between February 15 and April 30 annually. According to the Department of Forestry, fires are more likely in late winter and early spring because winds are higher, relative humidity is lower, and the fuels on the forest floor are dry due to having had no shade all winter. Winds usually calm down after 4 p.m., and relative humidity levels rise, making it less likely for debris or open-air fires to escape.
Obey the law when it comes to burning restrictions to help prevent wildfires.
Fires like this are only allowed only after 4 p.m. until midnight.
Charcoal or wood fire in a fire ring at one of our cabins or in the picnic area i
s
not allowed
during burn restriction times.
Open fires
, which include charcoal and wood fires, are
prohibited between midnight and 4:00 p.m.
each year from February 15 through April 30 in
all of our parks
. Open fires are allowed after 4 p.m. and until midnight.* The burn restrictions apply to the entire park, including the picnic areas and cabin area (even cabins with grills or fire rings).
Gas grills or propane stoves
are permitted during that period, and visitors are encouraged to bring them to use while camping or picnicking.
Personal grills
may only be used in designated picnic areas, campgrounds and at your reserved cabin (outside of this time period, some parks have personal grill restrictions, so please check with the park before making plans to bring one).
ONLY EXCEPTION: DEVELOPED CAMPGROUNDS WITH CAMP HOSTS
After much discussion with the Virginia Department of Forestry, we were able to receive an exception for our campgrounds that have a camp host
in residence
during this time. Campgrounds will post signage as to whether a host is on duty or not.
Open fires are allowed before 4 p.m. at parks with camp hosts if the fire is maintained within a designated campfire ring or circle. It must be under constant supervision until it is completely extinguished. All flammable material should be cleared from a 20-foot area around the fire, and campers must also have ready access to water, rake and shovel.
Having a camp host resident in the campground does not permit open-air fires in the other parts of the park.
You can contact the park directly to ask about the camp host status in our developed campgrounds. Our primitive campgrounds (meaning those without bathhouses) do not have hosts.
*Open fires are never allowed at
False Cape State Park
.
**
Grayson Highlands
' camping is operated as primitive until May 1. There is no host, so open fires are not allowed.
CATEGORIES
Cabins and Lodges
|
Camping
|
Get Outside
|
Picnicking
If you have read the article and have a question, please email
nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov
.
COMMENTS
Virginia State Parks
(March 31, 2017 08:18:53 PM)
:
Charles - not allowed per the law. Only gas/propane or in the campground, if we have a camp host on duty.
Virginia State Parks
(March 05, 2016 07:32:07 PM)
:
No. The host has to be on duty in the campground. The tent sites are significantly removed from where the host is located.
Virginia State Parks
(March 03, 2016 06:41:05 PM)
:
Yes.
Search for blogs
By Park
Categories
Cabins
Cabins and Lodges
Camping
Camping
Winter Camping
Fishing
Fishing
History and Culture
Black history
Civil War
History
Other
Animals
Astronomy
ATV
Bird Watching
Birds
Bouldering
Community
Explore
Fall
Geology
Get Outside
Ghost Stories
Gifts and Shopping
Going Green
Government
Hunting
Insects
Kids
Naturalist Notes
Outdoor Activities
Outdoor Destinations
Pets
Photography
Picnicking
Podcasts and Media
Spring
Trees and Plants
Wedding
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
Winter Activities
Programs and Events
B.A.R.K. Ranger
Educational Activities
Learn
Learning Opportunities
Music
Special Events
VA250
Trails
Biking
Biking, Mountain
Biking, Multiuse
Biking, Rails to Trails
Hiking
Hiking Central
Hiking Coastal
Hiking Mountains
Horseback Riding
Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Volunteers
Virginia Association for Parks
Volunteer Opportunities
Water Fun
Boating and Water Sports
Canoeing and Kayaking
Paddling Lakes
Paddling Open-waters
Paddling Rivers
Swimming
Archive
2026
January
February
March
April
2025
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2024
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
December
2023
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
December
2022
January
February
May
August
October
2021
March
April
August
September
December
2020
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2019
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2018
January
February
April
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2017
January
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2016
March
April
June
September
October
2015
April
June
August
September
October
2014
September
December
2012
August
September
Download a booklet
about state park amenities.
General info
Reservations
Passes, prices and fees
Lodging
Programs and events
Accessibility
Careers
Job openings
Media Center
Know Before You Go
For groups
Meeting facilities
Host an event
Weddings
Things to know
FAQ
Rules and regulations
Pet policy
Don't move firewood
Feature articles
Public Safety and Law Enforcement
Get Involved
Volunteer
Friend groups
Volunteer Host
Youth Conservation Corps
Stay connected
Blog
eNewsletter sign up
Partnerships
Virginia State Parks are managed by the
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
600 E. Main St., 24
th
Floor | Richmond, VA 23219
To learn about park offerings and overnight accommodations, email
resvs@dcr.virginia.gov
or call
800-933-PARK (7275)
.
Address other general inquiries to
vastateparks@dcr.virginia.gov
.
Please send website comments to
web@dcr.virginia.gov
.
Copyright © 2026, Virginia IT Agency. All rights reserved.
Last Modified:
Thursday, 16 April 2026, 04:59:36 PM
Contact Us
|
WAI Level A Compliant
|
Privacy Policy
|
ADA Notice