The West Virginia State Parks Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its Spring & Summer Mountains Are Always Free Photo Contest. Running from May 1 through August 7, the contest invites photographers to capture and celebrate the beauty of West Virginia’s state parks, forests, and rail trails during the vibrant warmer months.
“We recently wrapped up our winter photo contest,” said Foundation Executive Director Brad Reed. “We received hundreds of incredible submissions that showcased our state park areas as true four-season destinations.”
Reed added, “As warmer weather arrives, visitation from both residents and tourists increases significantly. We encourage park guests to enjoy everything these special places have to offer—and to capture those unforgettable moments through photography to share with others.”
The contest is open to both amateur and professional photographers. Winners will receive prizes provided by the West Virginia State Parks system and the Foundation. Awards will be presented in the following categories:
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Summer Beauty – Scenic spring and summer landscapes and facilities from across WV state park areas
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Outdoor Recreation — Favorite warm-weather activities such as hiking, fishing, and more
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Wildlife — Animals in their natural park habitats
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Plants — Native flora and seasonal blooms found throughout park areas
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Pets in Parks — Your companion enjoying West Virginia’s great outdoors
For more information and official contest rules, visit https://www.lovewvstateparks.com/events/
About the WV State Parks Foundation:
The West Virginia State Parks Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to “preserve, protect, and enhance West Virginia State Parks by providing leadership in communication, funding, and advocacy in partnership with individual Park Foundations.” Find them at www.lovewvstateparks.com.
