Events in Virginia State Parks

Unfold a map and unlock a whole new way to explore.

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.

As spring bursts back to life, our local wildflowers take center stage, painting the landscape with color and supporting an incredible web of biodiversity.

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

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Look up and learn about tree diversity in the park!

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.

Prowl the Powell and discover nature’s hidden treasures.

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

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.

Join the rangers for a fun tree craft!

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.

Spring is officially here and we want to help out our pollinator friends the bee and butterfly, as well as birds who disperse seeds.

Meet a ranger for a leisurely paced afternoon walk at the Dannelly Park access to New River Trail.

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

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

Come join our Rangers in celebrating the Highland Maple Festival!

Lace up your sneakers and step into the past.

Our animal ambassadors Hisstopher and Harrold want to meet you!

Participate in the art of origami while making biodegradable seed pots filled with wildflower seeds.

Soon, the arrival of spring will be upon us.

Trees are life-givers and inspiration for many art forms.

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!

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

How do you tell trees apart? Join us for a scenic hike from the Howe House to the beach as we learn how to identify some of our common native trees using our handheld identification sheets.

Stop by the Visitor Center for a sneak peek into the developing Virginia State Park's B.A.R.K Ranger program and upcoming dog focused events at Belle Isle.

How did soldiers sleep after a march?

Experience Sky Meadows, an International Dark-Sky Park, at this monthly astronomical celebration!

Spring is officially in season, let's light the campfire and welcome spring.

Owl prowl is a guided hiking program where individuals can connect with nature and wildlife of Virginia State Parks while learning whooo might be lurking in the evening hours at Westmoreland State Park.  Westmoreland State Park is a beautiful place, home to many wonderful wildlife and plant species.

The local Crewe Astronomy Club will bring their hi-tech telescopes and amazing video presentation about our planet, our galaxy, and our universe to the Visitor Center.

See the stars and explore our night sky with park rangers at this International Dark Sky Park!

James River State Park is a designated International Dark Sky park.

Discover how Virginia’s watersheds shape our communities by stopping by the Evergreen Soil and Water Conservation Tabletop Display throughout the day.

The story of a man who built himself into a leader through sheer discipline, sharp intellect, and a refusal to do anything halfway, this program follows Andrew Humphreys from his early years as a driven young engineer to his rise as one of the most respected officers in the Union Army.

Do you want to witness the art of Gyotaku fish printing, an ancient craft where you can create your own fish masterpiece?

Spring is in the air; this is prime time for bird watching!

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

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.

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

Come join our Rangers in celebrating the Highland Maple Festival!

Make them this morning, use them tonight.

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

Frogs calling are a true sign of spring.   Frogs and toads rely on water from places like ponds and wetlands to lay their eggs, and many species never stray far from a body of water.

What's under that rock?

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.

Come join us for Women's History Month to learn about the historical figures who helped shape the Widewater Peninsula.  Margaret Brent - English colonist, Catholic landowner, attorney - An unmarried woman who moved to the colonies, and stayed unwed, was strange enough.

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.

Join one of Mason Neck's interpreters along the Bay View Trail to discover the rich history of Mason Neck State Park. This program explores the changing relationships between people and the land, from early river-based communities and agricultural use to modern conservation efforts that preserve wildlife habitat and open space.

What's a benthic organism and how do they survive in the creek?

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?

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.

Where do our amphibians and reptiles live?

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

With the park's miles of woodland trails and grassy expanses, you’re sure to see some of the mushrooms that are native to this part of the east coast year-round.  Join us for a basic introduction to fungi in our Visitors Center Discovery Room, then come with us on a short hike to see what fungi we can discover.

This is a “casting” call for miniatures enthusiasts and historic craft fans!

Basket weaving has been an important craft for thousands of years. Stop by our campfire to learn about the history of weaving in the area, as well as how to harvest and weave Japanese honeysuckle (and other invasive plants).

Enjoy a naturalist-led hike learning all about what's blooming and growing around you.  This easy hike will take visitors through our park's deciduous woodlands along the river granting an opportunity to see some of the New River’s native wildflowers and trees in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet! Please wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring plenty of water and snacks.

Come join our Rangers in celebrating the Highland Maple Festival!

“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.

Join us on World Water Day for a Hungry Mother Lake clean-up.

Ever wonder where rainwater goes after it hits the ground?

Join us to test the quality of the water in Stock Creek.

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.

Spring brings about lots of change in our natural world.

Witness the amphibian life cycle and see aquatic invertebrates up-close when you join us in this partnership program with our local Central Piedmont Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists (CPVMN).

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.

This program is designed to introduce young participants to the wonders of the natural world and foster an appreciation for the environment.

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.

Calling all Junior Rangers!

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.

Earn your junior ranger patch through a variety of programs and fun family activities.  Visit the park office (the Howe House), gift shop, or contact station for a copy of our junior ranger booklet, or you can download it from the link below.

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!

No matter your role—teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or beyond—we invite you to plan your group’s next field trip to Twin Lakes State Park.

Looking for hands-on, memorable outdoor learning?

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.

Earn your Junior Ranger badge at Sky Meadows State Park!

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