Friends of Seven Bends State Park began as a committee of Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping the North Fork clean, healthy, and beautiful since 1988.

Before Seven Bends State Park officially opened, Friends of the North Fork partnered with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to support the park’s planning and development. As excitement for the future park grew, a group of passionate volunteers and community members came together under FNFSR’s umbrella, eventually forming Friends of Seven Bends State Park.

Who We Are

A Park Years in the Making

The opening of Seven Bends State Park was years in the making and faced several delays along the way.

Construction was postponed due to necessary bridge reinforcements and repeated flooding challenges. When the park was finally prepared to open, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of all planned opening ceremonies.

Despite these setbacks, Seven Bends quietly welcomed its first visitors in March 2020 and quickly became a cherished outdoor destination for the Shenandoah Valley community. The park was officially dedicated by the Governor and Virginia DCR on June 14, 2022.

Supporting the Park Every Step of the Way

Even during the pandemic, Friends of Seven Bends State Park remained active, meeting virtually and continuing efforts to support the park through uncertain times.

Today, volunteers help enhance and care for the park through:

  • Trail maintenance and improvement projects

  • Wildlife habitat and stewardship initiatives

  • Educational and interpretive programming

  • Special events and community outreach

  • Visitor experience enhancements

Want to get involved?

\\Whether you want to lend a hand on a volunteer day, support park programming, or help improve the visitor experience, there is a place for you at Seven Bends.

Join us in helping preserve and enhance Seven Bends State Park for generations to come.