Events in Virginia State Parks

Join us as we build a beaver to find out if their teeth, and other body parts, are useful, or just a cruel joke played by Mother Nature.

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!

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

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

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

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.

Get ready for a 'ssslithery' good time and meet some of our most 'misssunderstood' wildlife-snakes.

Take a walk among the forest's still and silent giants: trees!

Discover why skunks are scent-sational!

Slow down and take in the beauty of the James River and its vibrant landscapes!

Ever wondered what a skunk’s fur feels like or how big a bobcat’s skull really is?

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

What's under that rock?

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.

Come meet and greet Ranger Myrtle (our Red-Eared Slider turtle), Ranger Scout (our Western Hognose snake), and Ranger Brutus (our Copperhead snake) to discover what makes these rangers so special to Twin Lakes State Park.  Parks are for everyone.

We may not always see our wildlife, but they leave behind clues for us to find.

Parents, you spoke, and we listened!  We're excited to introduce our first toddler series: Little Wanderers. This series is for parents/guardians with toddlers ages 2-5. Once a month, on a Saturday, we will explore the natural world through short hikes, engaging games, and reading stories.

Celebrate our feathered night-shift MVPs and learn what makes owl so 'talon-ted'.

You can help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s rivers by participating in Mason Neck's Grasses for the Masses program.

Bundle up and join us for a peaceful winter walk as we explore the James River State Park in search of its seasonal birdlife!

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

Come out for an enchanting hike into the Highlands as day blends into the evening hours.

Have you ever seen a 'timberdoodle' dance in the twilight sky?

The Visitor Center at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park offers a museum filled with treasured artifacts discovered over the years where the last major fight of the American Civil War in Virginia occurred on April 6, 1865.

Tours of the Hillsman House, a National Historic Landmark, are available to the public by request.

A Self-Guided Driving Tour of Sailor's Creek Battlefield is available to visitors year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield offers six, self-guided Hiking Trails with historic markers for the public to explore year round during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).

Join us on a real or virtual hike through Claytor Lake State Park as we take a closer look at some of the beautiful native trees.

Did you know that Haven Howe was an early advocate for environmental reform in Virginia? Participate in person or virtually as we examine the fine craftsmanship of the Howe House and learn of its builder, inhabitants, and history.

Stop by the fishing area behind Howe House to check out our EnChroma color blind scenic viewer.

Contribute to citizen science by helping us create a time lapse of this mysterious site.

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

Take a hike back in time by visiting our tour points located at the same location as our collection of photos and videos from past years at Claytor Lake State Park and Claytor Lake.

Groups or individuals can adopt a section of a trail or a trail within our 7-mile park trail system.

Request a ranger to give your family or group a chance to get a more personalized experience at Claytor Lake State Park.

Nothing beats a ranger-led program in one of our parks.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, Douthat State Park is a great place to bring your group for a day of hands-on, outdoor learning.

Be you a teacher, camp counselor, homeschool instructor, or troop leader, you are invited to schedule your group's next field trip or educational program with Widewater State Park!

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

Wake up, lace up, and head outside with the Friends of Seven Bends State Park Walker's Club!  Join the group every Monday and Friday at 7:50 a.m. on a morning hike to enjoy cool air, quiet trails, and amazing views.

Whether you are a teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, we are inviting you to plan your groups' next field trip to Fairy Stone State Park.

Introduced by the National Parks, B.A.R.K.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, Leesylvania State Park is a great place to bring your group for hands-on, outdoor learning.

At one time, the New River marked the westernmost edge of the backcountry frontier.

Stop by Hungry Mother's Discovery Center and ask the front desk rangers about our Park Packs.

Make your park visit even more exciting by stopping by the Visitor Center to pick up an Adventure Pack!

Ready for a modern-day treasure hunt?

The park has over 12 miles of beautiful hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to moderate.

Are you looking for a great activity for the kids that is both fun and educational?

The night sky is alive with shifting constellations all year long.

Swing by the kiosk at the Spillway, grab one of our special adventure brochures, and gear up for some messy, hands-on fun with our seasonal scavenger hunts for kids.

Ready to turn your hike into a woodland quest?

Stop by the Discovery Center and grab a booklet that will take your whole family on an adventure through time at Hungry Mother State Park.

Find the special Track Trail kiosk at the corner of Parking Lot 6 and grab a brochure packed with adventures just for kids.

If you like to paddle and are excited to discover the native plants and wildlife that thrive here at Hungry Mother, you’re in the right place.