Friends of Hayfields State Park

Friends of Hayfields State Park was recognized in July 2025 by the DCR as the official support group to assist the new state park in identifying and promoting activities to conserve, enhance, and interpret the cultural and historic resources. While still in the process of organizing and recruiting members, many in the group have worked for the past eleven years to make a state park in Highland County a reality.

Hayfields State Park officially opened on October 20, 2025. The 44th park in Virginia’s system, it is nestled between Bullpasture and Jack Mountains in the Allegheny Range at an elevation ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 feet.

The park features a mix of heavily wooded mountain land, valley pastures, and several structures, including a single-lane truss bridge and a farmhouse built in the 1800s. The Bullpasture River flows through the property for about a mile and is home to numerous threatened and endangered species.

Along the southeastern boundary, the property shares over a mile boundary with the Highland Wildlife Management Area, which is owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).

Hayfields is currently a “day use” park offering hiking and mountain biking trails, parking areas with picnic tables, fishing, and bird-watching. Wildlife on the property includes bald eagles, golden eagles, deer, and bears.

A master plan committee will be established to guide the park’s future management and development, including additional activities, interpretive programs, construction of permanent restroom facilities, a gift shop, and other amenities.

For more information, email info@friendsofhayfields.org.