Between the Hills Conservancy

10/14/2026

🍂 Sweet Run State Park's first annual Homestead Heritage Day is around the corner, featuring hands-on demonstrations, local artisans and craftspeople, and a celebration of the heritage that continues to inspire us today! It's the perfect opportunity for family-friendly fall fun!
🗓️ Oct. 24: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
🎟️ Free (standard parking fee applies)
Learn more: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2026-08-17-10-40-11-604031-ibm

10/14/2026

📌 As many of you know, over the past nearly two years Sweet Run State Park's Master Plan has been under development. Many Between the Hills Conservancy members and followers have played a role in shaping its development through comments and input.

❔ The purpose of this state park master plan is to create a framework document to guide the development and operation of Sweet Run State Park over the next 30 years. The master plan will identify natural, cultural, and physical resources; define the park’s purpose, goals, and objectives; and create a roadmap for prioritization of future improvements.

The Draft Master Plan has been made available and is open for public comment now through October 22. We encourage you to read the draft plan, which can be viewed on the park's Master Plan website.

🖊️ If you wish to make a comment on the plan, the public comment period is open through Oct. 22, 2026. Please email your comments to the master plan team at [email protected] with “Sweet Run State Park Master Plan” in the subject line.

Thank you for the care and compassion you give to the park. Your voice is vital to preserving and shaping the future of Sweet Run for generations to come!

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

10/08/2026

WHO IS CALLING AFTER DARK? 🐸🌌
Looking for a unique weekend plan right here in the Loudoun's Blue Ridge? Grab your portable chairs and join Jenny Erickson of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy at Sweet Run State Park this Saturday, October 10, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for an unforgettable Twilight H**p Adventure!
"Croaks, Calls & Crawlers: A Twilight H**p Adventure" is a family-friendly evening designed to introduce you to the incredible frogs, toads, and autumn reptiles of Loudoun County:
✨ 30-Minute Presentation: Meet at the Interpretive Center to learn about local species, their seasonal fall behaviors, and how national programs like and the iNaturalist.org Project help scientists track wildlife populations.
🥾 Walk to Wortman Pond: Take a short, 5-minute stroll down to the water for a quiet listening experience. You'll get to put your new identification skills to the test and figure out exactly who is calling in the dark!
The Details:
📍 Where: Meet at the Interpretive Center, Sweet Run State Park
🗓️ When: This Saturday, Oct. 10 | 6:00-7:30 p.m.
🎒 What to Bring: A portable lawn chair for sitting comfortably by the pond.
🎟️ Cost: No extra event fee! Standard park parking/admission fees apply.
🛑 Registration: None required—just show up ready to explore!
It’s the perfect way to welcome the autumn season with the kids and support local nature conservation.
For full program details, check out the park's website here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sweet-run
Who's planning to join us out at the pond? 👇

10/04/2026

✨🌈 Clouds couldn’t dampen the magic at Sweet Run State Park last night 🌈✨

Even though a blanket of clouds hid the starry night sky we were waiting for during the October Earth & Sky Adventures , the hills gave us something completely unexpected instead. Right before the twilight hike, an incredible full rainbow stretched over the park, making the early autumn landscape look absolutely surreal.
The Mountain View Trail meadows of goldenrod glowed in the dusk light and the chorus of crickets created the perfect October evening for guests. Hikers enjoyed the early foliage colors, fascinating geology, and fabulous fall weather. In the Interpretive Center, hands-on displays and activities—from moon phase bookmarks to nature dye artwork—kept the cozy energy going with great community conversations.

Shoutout to everyone who came out to embrace the seasonal weather, and to the dedicated park and NOVAC volunteers who always show up!
🌈 Nature always has its own spectacular plans.

Missed out or hoping for clearer skies next time? The next Earth & Sky Adventures at Sweet Run State Park is scheduled for November 14 from 4:30-7:30 and it is the last one of the year!

Virginia State Parks

10/03/2026

We couldn't agree more! 🍂 October at Sweet Run State Park is going to be incredible - and it starts TONIGHT with the October Earth & Sky Adventures at 6:30pm!

October is one of the best times to visit Virginia State Parks, and this month is packed with seasonal activities for all ages.

If you’re looking to explore a haunted hike, join a stargazing program, decorate a pumpkin or hop on a hayride, there’s something for everyone. Fall festivals, Halloween celebrations and dark sky events are just part of what makes this season so much fun.

Cooler weather, colorful foliage and great birdwatching opportunities make it even better!

To learn more about the special events happening this month at Virginia State Parks, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/monthly-update-october

📸: Natural Bridge State Park

10/03/2026

🌟🔭 TOMORROW NIGHT: October Earth & Sky Adventures at Sweet Run State Park!
Come experience the magic of the park after dark! Whether you're coming for the sunset views or the deep-space sights, it’s going to be a stellar evening under the stars. ✨
• 6:30 PM: Guided Sunset Hike with a Virginia Master Naturalist: Meet at the main parking lot for a leisurely-paced evening walk to take in the sights and sounds of autumn nature at dusk.
• 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Interpretive Center Open: Rain or shine, drop by for family-friendly, hands-on astronomy and nocturnal-themed activities and displays.
• 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Stargazing with NOVAC: Head behind the Interpretive Center as members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) guide us through the night sky with telescopic views of planets, galaxies, nebulae, and more!

📍 Where: Sweet Run State Park (Interpretive Center / Main Parking Lot), 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro, VA
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
🎟️ Cost: Free admission to the event (standard park fees may apply)

☝️ Pro-tips for the night:
• Bring a lawn chair or blanket to get comfortable while stargazing.
• Grab a flashlight (tip: cover it with red cellophane if you have it to protect night vision!).
• Dress in layers as the evening air cools down.

Check the Virginia State Parks Event Page or local park updates before heading out just in case of any weather shifts for the hike or scopes. See you tomorrow night! 🌙🪐
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sweet-run

10/03/2026

Happy October, friends and Between the Hills neighbors! 🍁💫🎃🌲
The air is becoming crisper, the leaves are starting their spectacular transformation, and autumn is officially here in our beautiful valley. There is truly nothing quite like October in the Loudoun Blue Ridge, especially inside our beloved Sweet Run State Park.
As the official friends group of the park, we are so excited for a month packed with community, history, and stargazing. Lace up your hiking boots and mark your calendars for an incredible month of interpretive programming and events!
Whether you want to catch a stunning sunset and learn to read the stars during tomorrow's October Earth & Sky Adventures at Sweet Run State Park or step back in time during Homestead Heritage Day to explore historical demonstrations and hop on a hayride, Sweet Run is the place to be this month!
👇 Check out the October schedule of events below.
Be sure to check the Sweet Run State Park website for upcoming event details before your visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sweet-run
We can’t wait to see you at the park!

09/26/2026

September at Sweet Run State Park is coming to a close 🍂
is the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort to care for our shared natural spaces and you have a chance to act locally today with the Community Invasive Pull at Sweet Run State Park! Get outside, give back, and protect the future of our parks!

Be sure to check the Sweet Run State Park website for any upcoming event details before your visit. We can’t wait to see you on the trails!

09/07/2026

✨ What an unforgettable September night under the stars at Sweet Run State Park! ✨

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for September Earth & Sky Adventures! There was an incredible team of volunteers and park staff to support the night’s many visitors! From the balmy twilight hike to the starry breaks in cloudy skies, it was a magical evening from start to finish.

Here are a few highlights from the night:
🥾 Twilight Trails: We kicked off the evening with a peaceful sunset hike led by a Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer. Guests learned about the park’s unique history, wildlife, and seasonal changes as dusk settled over the hills.
🦋 Moth Magic: At the Interpretive Center, we were incredibly honored to host Smithsonian-affiliated environmental scientist & biologist Dr. Marianne Espeland! Dr. Marianne gave us a fascinating look into the world of Lepidoptera, teaching everyone about the vital role moths play in our ecosystem and showing us how to spot some beautiful local species.
🔭 Cosmic Views: Once darkness arrived, the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) helped us peer deep into the universe. Thanks to their incredible telescope and patience, we got some stellar views despite the clouds. Amazingly, by the end of the evening, the skies were completely clear!

Missed out on this one? Keep an eye on the Virginia State Parks Sweet Run website, so you don't miss the next after-hours adventure in October: October Earth & Sky Adventures at Sweet Run State Park 🪐