Events in Virginia State Parks

Are you age 55+ with an interest in spending time in nature?

 Come along on a guided walk to imagine life as a tree. Is it time to draw on your reserves of sugars and starches and begin to bud?

Join us in solving a murder mystery through animal tracks.

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

Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.  We will hike to a small woodland and marsh stream, freshwater pond, and brackish/saltwater river.  With nets, we will capture and identify different crustaceans, fish, and take note of plant life. .

Often overlooked as just a simple plant, lichen (which isn't even a plant) is one of nature's best examples of different organisms coming together to form a mutualistic relationship.

Meet a ranger for a leisurely paced afternoon walk at Cliffview.

The forests are full of things both delicious and dangerous, but can you tell which is which?

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is excited to announce the Spring semester of the WiseJAMS Music Program.

This is a fantastic time of year to take-in the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflowers of Southwest Virginia.

Come explore the historic town of Fries.

Let's go fishing with friends and family!

Come explore the historic town of Fries.

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

See the majestic osprey right behind our Visitor Center.

Meet at the Big Water Visitor Center and help our resident box turtle have some fun in the sun.

Explore the Chesapeake Bay through the animals that live in it!

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'.

This historical building tour is designed to highlight the architecture of the time, designs, furnishings, special touches, ornate decor, and stories within the walls of the Jones-Stewart Mansion.

Frogs, turtles, and fish, oh my!  Explore the water quality of the pond, while learning about the abundance of organisms that call this ecosystem home.

Create a hand-made, nature-inspired souvenir to take home.

Join a ranger on this guided hike and learn about the fascinating world of fungi.

Join a Kiptopeke Park Ranger for a guided hike through our nature trails.

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

Bring along your partner and friends to embark on a way finding adventure through the Interpretive Area to earn a free Adult Adventurer key chain (Pre-registration recommended).

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect 'fairy stone' that everyone is looking for.

Some of Virginia's coolest mammals are rarely seen by humans.

Let us keep the kids entertained while the adults set up or take a break from setting up and stop by for a quick craft; discussion of Belle Isle's history; or a lesson on critters.

Have you met the animals living at Hungry Mother State Park's Discovery Center?

Come for the s’mores, stay for the fun!

Come take a walk with us under the glow of the moon to search for some of the park's most elusive night-time predators: owls! As we walk along under the quiet cover of darkness, we'll listen for their haunting voices as they cry out across the landscape.

The surface of the water might seem calm, but down under there is an exciting world filled with all kinds of life.

Event Registration is full!

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

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will offer a monthly "Birding in the Gap" program on the second Saturday of each month (with the exception of October and December).

Each month, volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to work together on a project that helps improve and maintain our beautiful park.

Join us every second Saturday at the Mayo River Trails to explore the future Mayo River State Park. You will also discover some interesting facts about local wildlife, and about the exploration of the area by William Byrd.

Flame and hammer.

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

Bows and arrows have been a part of human society for thousands of years and used for both survival and sport.

As spring unfolds at Natural Tunnel State Park, the forest floor begins to come to life with the vibrant colors that Mother Nature offers.

Grab a wildlife scavenger hunt from the visitor center and discover a new way to explore.

Explore the park's expansive wetlands with us as we search for and identify the plants and animals that call this unique habitat their home.

Bring your paws out to Caledon for a doggone egg-stravaganza!

Come walk the park's bluebird trail with a Virginia Master Naturalist as she checks the nestboxes and records data for the Virginia Bluebird Society.

Curious about how the light green house looks from the inside and its restoration process?

Come and discover the majestic aerial hunters and their habitats.

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

What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?

Stop by this Chesapeake Bay display on your way to the beach to hear a short talk all about one of the nation’s most valuable waterways.

Meet us at the camp store to learn about the 7 Leave No Trace principles while we come together to clean our beaches.

Join a ranger for a 1.5-mile guided hike through fields and marsh to a splendid beach view of the Rappahannock River.

The joy of nature journaling is not about being a perfect artist.

It's feeding time for our ambassador reptiles.  How do we feed our animals?

Children ages 1 to 10 will hop along with the Easter Bunny as they search for elusive candy-filled eggs, some containing prizes.

Successful hunting and outdoor adventure depends on good planning and preparation, especially with the skills needed to survive the unexpected.

It's the most beautiful time of year!  Join us for a ranger-led hike down Bluebell Trail!

Meet a Ranger at the Visitor Center for a guided hike to see if you can spot any of our springtime birds.

Uncover the mysteries of mycology on this ranger-lead hike and learn more about the fungi that grows along the park’s trails.

Like all wild animals, black bears are food motivated.

Join us for an immersive adventure!

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'.

This historical building tour is designed to highlight the architecture of the time, designs, furnishings, special touches, ornate decor, and stories within the walls of the Jones-Stewart Mansion.

Reconnect with nature and your innate creativity with monthly Nature Journaling workshops led by Mary Larson, Virginia Master Naturalist.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

As the forest and meadows awaken from winter, we’ll explore the trails in search of delicate spring ephemerals like trillium, bloodroot, and trout lilies.

Join staff and volunteers from the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, April 12 for a historic cemetery preservation workshop at Big Stone Gap’s Glencoe Cemetery.

We would like to introduce you to “Boxer” the box turtle.

Step into the world of medicinal plants and connect with nature in a whole new way at Seven Bends State Park!

Join a ranger, enjoy Big Meadow Trail, and learn about the natural history of Westmoreland State Park.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

Come join a ranger for a fun bird identification hike!

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

Join a ranger to learn about many of the birds you see soaring the skies at Belle Isle.

Join us for a geocaching adventure at Shenandoah River!

Come explore the historic town of Fries.

Why should we want to create spaces for bees and other pollinators?

From shells to feathers to aquatic grasses, Mason Neck’s beaches are teeming with life and interesting finds.

Slither on down and join the Park Ranger for an in depth look into the fascinating lives of some local reptiles.

Join the Rangers each week to learn a new skill to help you survive in the wild.

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect 'fairy stone' that everyone is looking for.

How much do you know about Douthat State Park's past?

Join Master Naturalist Kim Manion for a short walk to discover the basics of tree identification.

Need a break from your long trip and have a little fun? Do you like being creative? We have many things to see at our Visitor Center.

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 boomtown. 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.

Are you an expert angler or looking to pick up a couple fishing tips?

Flame and hammer.

Every program description needs a hook, but this program already has plenty of them.

Step back in time as we uncover the mysteries of those at rest in the park's historic cemetery.

Join a ranger-led hike to catch glimpses of the full moon.

Wanna hear a cool story?

Have you ever wanted to enjoy the wonders of fossil beach after dark?

Not all who wonder are lost!

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

We let the dogs out!

As the weather warms to spring, explore what is in bloom on the park's trails with Shenandoah Chapter Virginia Master Naturalist Paul Guay.

Bows and arrows have been a part of human society for thousands of years and used for both survival and sport.

Looking for that perfect selfie spot?

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

Join rangers at Westmoreland State Park for a fun-filled Easter adventure.  Bring a basket to collect wooden ornaments that will be turned in for prizes.