Events in Virginia State Parks

Join us for a short introductory program that highlights the major military leaders involved in the Battle of Sailors Creek.

We all enjoy a yummy meal and that’s the same for our resident snakes that live here in our Visitor Center.

Did you know Raccoons can remember solutions to tasks and have “hands” like ours?

Ever wonder what dolls of the 18th century frontier looked like or what they were made of?

Humans aren't the only ones who build amazing structures.  Insects, birds, and mammals are among the many animals who create complex homes for themselves.  Let's take a look into the world of these master builders of the animal kingdom.

Take a 4-hour guided tour through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park!

Learn the legend behind the naturally occurring stone cross formations and travel to the special location in the park to search for your own "fairy stone." After a short presentation on what you will be looking for, we will head to the site.

True Art Showcase is named in the honor of the Museum’s first curator James True the Museum's first curator.

A full lunar eclipse will occur on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 6:33 a.m. Stop by the visitor center to learn a little about the moon and the eclipse.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is now accepting entries for the “Stitch in Time” Quilt Show.

Learn the essentials of basic target archery, a skill that, thanks to artifacts found at the park, we know humans have been practicing here for thousands of years.

Ever heard of a seed bomb?

Colder weather can bring more beach treasures!

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets of the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

Discover the timeless art of pine needle basket weaving and unlock your creativity with this hands-on workshop.

Join a ranger to discover park history and how the tunnel was formed during this guided hike down Tunnel Trail.

Did you know there was once a thriving "boom town" located where our lake is today?

Enjoy a winter birding adventure to discover duck species and habitats.  In less than a mile we will look for waterfowl from a shallow pond, tidal creek, and the river.  Bald eagles are also frequently found in the area.

Spring brings about lots of change in our natural world.

Have you ever found yourself in need of a length of string while out in the wilderness?

Take a journey to explore the nocturnal world of Grayson Highlands State Park and don’t miss a chance to see the last full moon of the winter season, the Worm Moon.

The Friends group is a dedicated volunteer organization made up of community members who actively support the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth's dark shadow, or umbra.

Rise and shine, astronomy lovers - a Total Lunar Eclipse is happening on March 3rd!

We will open the park gates early this morning to view the eclipse from the Visitor Center's back patio.

Happy World Wildlife Day!

Hibernation is ending.

Join us for a special night hike through False Cape State Park.

Did you know that opossums roamed the earth with the dinosaurs and that raccoons have “hands” like ours? Wonder what other secrets these critters hold? Join us to discover little known facts about these amazing animals and how they benefit humans.

Join us at Douthat State Park for Homeschool Naturalists, a monthly outdoor education series designed for homeschool students of all ages.

Spring brings about lots of change in our natural world.

"Beavers:  Nature's Engineers" examines the characteristics and habits of North America's largest rodent.  Learn about how beavers alter the environment more than any other creature except humans.  Find out how beavers contributed to the westward expansion as settlers arrived in the New World.  Following a short lecture about the beaver and a few "local stories", a beautiful movie will follow the life of a pair of beaver's lives throughout a year-long period.  Various items, including a beaver skull, pelt, and examples of wood cuttings, will be displayed.  A special gift will be given to all children who attend the program.

Discover the “bear facts” about Fairy Stone State Park’s black bears at our ranger-led program. Learn about their characteristics, habits, how to avoid conflicts, and much more.

"As long as a live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing." -- John Muir Widewater State Park is pleased to offer Bird Walks from November 2025 thru March 2026!  Join an experienced birder on an exploration of our incredibly diverse park throughout the cooler months.

Just as caterpillars grow and change, our Caterpillar Club programs are designed to help your little one grow and change.

While we sleep a whole new set of nocturnal animals come out to begin their "daily" activities.

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets of the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is thrilled to announce the spring semester of the WiseJAMS Music Program!

Join a ranger to learn about science, history, and nature at Leesylvania State Park!

Did you know Raccoons can remember solutions to tasks and have “hands” like ours?

Where do our amphibians and reptiles live?

From the small eastern screech owl to the great horned owl, eight species of owls call Virginia home part or all of the year.   Get a glimpse into the mysterious world of our elusive nocturnal raptors.

Learn the legend behind the naturally occurring stone cross formations and travel to the special location in the park to search for your own "fairy stone." After a short presentation on what you will be looking for, we will head to the site.

Let your Friday afternoons be filled with natural  and historical wonders.  Join us for a closer look at some of the interesting things about our ecosystem and region.

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets of the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

Meet Gertie and Birdie, our Educational Ambassadors, and interact with our knowledgeable rangers while they care for these beloved critters.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

When a tree falls in the forest, what happens next?

Did you know there was once a thriving "boom town" located where our lake is today?

Come join the party!

Start off your weekend off right with s’mores and more! Join our rangers in a welcome campfire at the Outdoor Classroom behind the Discovery Center each Friday this month, where you can learn more about the wildlife and fossils that we have here in our park. Whether you want to learn more about Westmoreland, or you just want to hang out and eat s’mores, you know where to find us! Dress appropriately for the weather on the day of the event and bring water. .

The story of the man who became one of the most dependable leaders in the Union Army, this program explores Wright’s early life, his engineering background, his steady personality, and the qualities that shaped his long service.

Join us for a rewarding morning of gardening with fellow plant lovers.

Our park is known for its biodiversity and is home to many species of birds.

Join us on Saturday, March 7th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, for a rewarding day of community service at Kiptopeke State Park!  Activities include painting and touch-ups, minor carpentry work, and general clean-up.  The park will provide all necessary tools, equipment, and instructions for each task.  All skill levels are welcome - just bring your enthusiasm and wear clothes suitable for outdoor work.  For more information or to register, please contact kiptopeke@dcr.virginia.gov.   Help keep Kiptopeke beautiful - your efforts make all the difference!

In the words of Woodsy Owl (1971), "Give a hoot; don't pollute!" Volunteer and help out the planet today.

Teens and adults are invited to slow down, step outside, and discover how nature journaling can change the way you notice the world around you.

Join us in discovering the hidden wonders of these temporary seasonal wetlands.

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

We can tell a great deal about an animal’s adaptations by looking at their skins and skulls.

Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.

Join us for a guided Discovery Hike along the Buck Lick Trail and experience March—a month of transformation.

Explore the great outdoors with our fun and interactive Birding Bingo!

Pottery is one of the oldest forms of decorative but functional art and is found in cultures across the world.

Join us for our new series "Tales and Trails" with Samuels Public Library.

Did you know Westmoreland State Park has a beach where you can find fossils?

Immerse yourself in the calming embrace of nature as you unwind and de-stress.

Have you ever wanted to identify the different birds in your yard or even start bird watching as a hobby?  If so, this program is for you.  We'll go over the basics of finding and identifying birds, the basic equipment you might need, as well as some tips to help you make the most of your birding adventures!

Black bears are one of the many incredible mammals that dwell in Douthat State Park.

Bring your canine companion and join the B.A.R.K.

Learn the legend behind the naturally occurring stone cross formations and travel to the special location in the park to search for your own "fairy stone." After a short presentation on what you will be looking for, we will head to the site.

Think you can’t draw?

Been itching to go fishing?

Step into the shoes of a 19th-century farmer and help care for our heritage breed chickens and goats!

Join the rangers on a hunt for three of James River's 14 geocaches.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.

This archery session for beginners and provides shooting time for the more experienced. It begins with instruction time on archery equipment, technique, and safety.

Embark on a journey into the enchanting world of vernal pools.

Westmoreland State Park is home to four different ambassador animals: Reba the corn snake, Stevie the king snake, and two red-eared sliders, Venus and Jennika.

Can you match the skull to its pelt?

Discover why foxes are fantastic!

Trees have magical qualities that provide us with many important everyday items, as well as a large portion of the oxygen we breathe.

If you're curious about trees, satisfy your curiosity on this Arbor Adventure!  Join a ranger on Chippoax Trace Trail to identify Chippokes' fauna, specifically trees.  This trail takes visitors from rolling farm fields, into canopied woodlands, and to a worthwhile scenic view of the beautiful salt marshes of Chippokes.

Come celebrate national bird day with this fun Birding Bingo.

In early spring, Virginia's tiny delicate woodland wildflowers make their appearance!

 Deep in the forest lies the perfect amphibian retreat - vernal pools.  These special pools fill up each winter to provide a safe habitat for salamanders, fingernail clams, fairy shrimp, and more!

Murders over moonshine rocked the town of Fayerdale in the 1920s and 30s, leaving a dying town remembered for tragedy rather than the mining operations that once made it a boom town. Moonshining (illegal whiskey making) was quite prevalent in and around the Fairy Stone State Park area in the early 1900s. Jealousy, greed, and competition often led to feuds, brawls, and even killings.

Westmoreland State Park is a special place known for rare and common fossils, including, the most desirable and sought after - shark teeth you can find along our shoreline.

Join an interpreter to learn a variety of useful everyday knots, from the simple square not to the high flying figure eight knot - there is a knot for every situation.

Build your very own bug hotel to help provide a habitat for beneficial insects. Your creation will offer pollinators a special space where they can breed and grow!

Stop by the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center and learn more about the people who lived on the Wilderness Road frontier.

Through trail, stone, and timber, the CCC carved a legacy that still shapes Douthat today.

Join us for an evening adventure as we explore the fascinating world of vernal pools.

Deep in the forest lies the perfect amphibian retreat - vernal pools. These special pools fill up each winter to provide a safe habitat for salamanders, fingernail clams, fairy shrimp, and more!

Explore the universe, courtesy of the Crewe Astronomy Club.

The story of the man who became one of the most dependable leaders in the Union Army, this program explores Wright’s early life, his engineering background, his steady personality, and the qualities that shaped his long service.

We all enjoy a yummy meal and that’s the same for our resident snakes that live here in our Visitor Center.

Did you know Raccoons can remember solutions to tasks and have “hands” like ours?

"Wisdom from the Wild" is a monthly series that will lead you on wonder-filled journey to recovering your sense of belonging and finding your truest self, rooted in the rhythms and raptures of nature.

Nature journaling is the intersection of art, science, and curiosity.