Events in Virginia State Parks

Think you’ve got sharp eyes?

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.

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

Join author and photographer Jack Gates for an engaging presentation and book signing celebrating the beauty and history of spring wildflowers in the Eastern Woodlands.

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.

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.

Drawing on years of dog training experience and a passion for our parks, join Ranger Rachel in the pilot program designed to bring training to the trails and help your dog become their best park-ready companion.

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

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.

Join us on a ranger-led hike to certify your canine companion as a New River Trail State Park B.A.R.K Ranger!    The B.A.R.K.

Long ago, giant beasts roamed these lands...put yourself into the shoes of an Ice Age hunter in this spear-throwing workshop using an ancient spear-throwing device: the atlatl! The atlatl was used on the North American continent and all over the world, enabling both men and women to efficiently hunt megafauna such as woolly mammoths and giant ground sloths.

There's no work without play.

Vernal pools are shallow, temporary pools that typically form in early spring.

 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!

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

Join a ranger on a guided hike along one of the park’s less traveled trails to experience the tunnel from a unique angle.

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!

Bloodroot, Dutchman's Breeches, Cutleaf Toothwort, oh my!

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

Our animal ambassadors Hisstopher and Harrold want to meet you!

Join a ranger to learn about meteorological vs.

Join our rangers for a bit of fun around the campfire as we welcome you to the park.

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!

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Earth Hour by joining the biggest hour for Earth and doing something positive for nature.

Hike through the forest after dark in search of sights and sounds from the owls who are hunting there.

The story of a man who lived life on a stage of his own making, this program dives into the sweeping presence of John B.

There are many stories to tell about Sweet Run State Park.

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

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

Come visit our booth at the Gloucester County 2026 Daffodil festival!

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

Walk through history by touring Sky Meadows' historic Mount Bleak House.

Before hitting the trails, stop by our pop-up station to explore the diverse bird life of First Landing.

Virginia is home to a very smart, and often mischievous animal, Ursus americanus, or the American Black Bear.

Before leaves return to trees, the sun reaches the forest floor to give early spring flowers energy to pop up!

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.

Water, no matter if it comes from oceans, rivers, or rain, tells us a story.

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.

From spring migrations to nighttime choruses, amphibians follow nature's rhythms and signal the changing seasons.

Early spring is a time of subtle but exciting change, and this guided hike invites visitors to look closely for the first signs of the season waking up the forest and fields with your B.A.R.K Ranger.

Ever heard of a seed bomb?

Hop on over to Kiptopeke State Park for an afternoon of Easter fun!  Starting at 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy some games and crafts!

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.

Make your own pig and meet our ambassador animal: Tazewell the potbellied pig!

Join author and photographer Jack Gates for an engaging presentation and book signing celebrating the beauty and history of spring wildflowers in the Eastern Woodlands.

Interested in learning about archery in an adult setting?

 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!

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

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” - John Muir Join our rangers on a guided hike and learn about our native species, park history, and wetland habitat. Meet at the Visitor Center before the hike.

Celebrate National Take a Walk in the Park Day with a Volunteer led walk & talk through First Landing State Park's Bald Cypress Trail.  All ages and friendly, leashed dogs are welcome.

Did you know that Westmoreland is one of the original State Parks in Virginia?

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

Tour a replica of the Anderson Blockhouse as rangers provide information about the history of the building and area.

Step into Nature on National Take a Walk in the Park Day Who doesn’t love a refreshing stroll outdoors and spending some time in nature.

Enjoy maximum bluff and shoreline views on this ranger guided hike.  The hike is just about a mile and includes a portion of the new Hognose Trail.  We will explore the popular Fossil Beach and the secluded Pete's Overlook.  .

Hear the tale of star-crossed lovers that the trail is named after and view the tunnel from above.

Spring brings about lots of change in our natural world.

Does your pup have what it takes to be a B.A.R.K Ranger? B.A.R.K.

Visit the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) museum to learn more about the CCC, the original six Virginia State Parks, and the creation of Pocahontas State Park.

Where do toads live, are they beneficial to us, and can they give us warts?

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

Celebrate National Take a Walk in the Park Day with a Ranger led walk & talk through First Landing State Park's Bald Cypress Trail.  Inspired by the "RVA Baddies Walk Club", we're kicking off a monthly trail walking club at First Landing.

Want to experience the New River Trail State Park in a way few people get a chance to?

Visit the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) museum to learn more about the CCC, the original six Virginia State Parks, and the creation of Pocahontas State Park.

Put your luck to the test as you explore the trials of migration.

They're round and they're full of fiber but unless you're a termite, you can't eat these tree cookies.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will hold a public comment meeting on the proposed master plan for Powhatan State Park.

The Friends of York River State Park is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the mission of the park: We champion the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of York River State Park's estuarine environment.

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

Join us as we answer the call of the creek and investigate how the water quality of streams is interconnected with the environmental health of Sky Meadows State Park.

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

Explore the fascinating animals of the Shenandoah Valley through an interactive display of animal artifacts from authentic furs, scaly sheds, and skull replicas.

Use your detective skills to piece together the stories that animals, including humans, have left behind.

Spring brings about lots of change in our natural world.

Visit the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) museum to learn more about the CCC, the original six Virginia State Parks, and the creation of Pocahontas State Park.

Join us at Sky Meadows State Park for a hands-on clinic designed to get you started in your journey as an angler.

Pop on your bright eyes and bushy tails and explore a trail through the eyes of a squirrel.

Come explore nature's amazing spring happenings through the Powhatan Library's new educational series: Nature Days!

Meet with a ranger and go on a guided hike along the Lakeshore Trail (0.81mi.).

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

This hands-on experience invites visitors to discover the fascinating and essential connection between agriculture and livestock at Sky Meadows.

Come have a 'turtle-ly' awesome Thursday.

Did you know that Sky Meadows is home to hundreds of beef cattle?

Visit the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) museum to learn more about the CCC, the original six Virginia State Parks, and the creation of Pocahontas State Park.

Step back in time to 1939 and get crafty.

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

Step back in time and savor the sweet traditions of the past at Sky Meadows State Park!

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.

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

Halifax County is hosting their 11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt!

Meet with a ranger and go on a one-mile guided hike along the Oak Hickory Trail, rated as a moderate hike.

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.

Got a little explorer who’s beyond crawling, but isn’t ready to hike with the Kindergarten siblings?  The Tyke Hike is the perfect fit for little legs.  The hikes are less than a mile and mostly stroller friendly.  The ranger will help your little one discover neat things in nature in this one hour adventure.

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.

Step back in time and explore the rich history of Sky Meadows State Park on a guided walking tour of its historic grounds.

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.

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.

Let your creativity flow at our Creation Station, where you can create your favorite animal mask, opossum puppet, turkey, butterfly, or batteau craft.