Events in Virginia State Parks

Ever wonder what animals call Kiptopeke home or what those shells on the beach are called?

Have you ever wondered what secrets the natural world holds? This drop-in program offers a unique opportunity to meet with Virginia Master Naturalists who will be available to answer all your nature-related questions.

Explore the life cycle of butterflies. Learn what is special about the monarch butterfly. What do they like to eat?

Have you ever been scared to go out in the wilderness by yourself or just with a friend? Join an interpreter to learn how to stay safe in the wilderness and learn a useful skill, such as knot tying or fire building.

As you make your way to the shoreline, stop and visit the live creature displays of fish & shellfish that were recently captured in the York River and Woodstock Pond.  The ranger on duty will share about these creatures and their role in the ecosystem.

As you soak up the sun on Memorial Day, it is important to stay cool.

Peak into the microscope to view the tiny cells that make up your favorite plants and animals.

How would you stand in competition with the wildlife of Virginia?

Frogs, crawdads, and children, oh my!

Join the Rangers for an all out trivia battle!

Meet us on South Beach to help clean up trash and search for treasures.

Who made those footprints?

Been itching to go fishing?

Take some time to get out of the hot sun and join our park nature interpreter under the tent for some fun crafts. Memorial Day is a time to give thanks to all the brave men and women who fought to give us our freedom.

Join a ranger on a hike to the historic bridge and earthworks here at Staunton River Battlefield State Park to celebrate Memorial Day!

Every Monday evening from May to the first week of September you can find local fresh produce, baked goods, honey, jams and jellies, soap, and local artisan crafters, as well as food vendors, here at Fairy Stone State Park.

Look for the park interpreter on the sidewalk between the pavilion and sand at the swimming beach to have some fun making bubbles.

Lend a hand and help clean up the sand after Memorial Day weekend!

The Fairfield Foundation opens the Timberneck house for free walk-in tours every Tuesday.

Stop by and investigate the variety of flora and fauna found around Smith Mountain Lake.

Fly on over and learn how to make a bird feeder from natural materials which you can keep.

Hop on over to learn about this ancient insect eater, and discover how you can help preserve its habitat.

Bring your current project, plans, or patterns, and work with others doing the same.

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

Designed to introduce young participants to the wonders of the natural world and foster an appreciation for the environment.

Migrate to the Discovery Center to learn about the fascinating "Fish Hawk".

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

Where do toads live?

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

“What does the fox say?” Did you know that there are two different foxes found in Virginia, the red fox and the grey fox?

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

Whether you're fascinated or a little rattled, snakes are a vital part of healthy ecosystems, and they’re not as scary as they seem.

Get creative and be inspired by the beautiful scenery of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

Hop on over for a hands-on adventure into the world of frogs. Join park staff as we search for some of Virginia’s native frog species and their tadpoles.

Join us for a sunset/moonlight bike ride on High Bridge Trail.

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

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

Using our senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing, we can come to appreciate unique qualities of plants and trees that have made them partners in our survival.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Stop by and investigate the variety of flora and fauna found around Smith Mountain Lake.

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

Calling all budding detectives.

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

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

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.

Ever wonder what the fish are doing when they dive deep under water?

Ever wondered what critters are crawling beneath the surface of a stream? Join us on a fun adventure as we search the stream for interesting, tiny critters: freshwater invertebrates.

Shine a light on days gone by with a lantern-lit history tour of the Natural Bridge.

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

Grow some good and lend a hand.

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

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Robin Hood, Katniss Everdeen, Hawkeye, fictional archers with real world skills.

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

Have you ever wondered what makes an owl such a skilled night hunter?

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.

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

Step into the shoes of an archaeologist and uncover the secrets of an owl’s diet!

This land-based, hook-free fishing game is a fun and safe way to learn how to cast, but even those who are fishing fanatics will enjoy trying to beat out the competition in this game of limited resources.

Come along on a hike through Kiptopeke's trails to learn about the nature in our park.

Stop by and investigate the variety of flora and fauna found around Smith Mountain Lake.

Robin Hood, Katniss Everdeen, Hawkeye, fictional archers with real world skills.

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

The Bay can hold many secrets.

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found around the park.

Think you can stump a ranger?

What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?

Come over to Picnic Shelter #2 and get inspired by the great outdoors.

Join us at the Visitor Center and let's venture out into ancient times!

Frogs, crawdads, and children, oh my!

Slime is survival.

Ever wonder what a ranger does from day to day?

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

Discover how fire affects our world and how we attempt to harness its power.

Slip on your closed-toe shoes and get ready to explore the creek.

Come join the party!

Enjoy the sounds of local musicians as you take in our beautiful park.

Kick off your stay at our ranger-led campfire.

Join your fellow campers to hear about all of the different trails and activities the park has to offer and discover the history of the park. This is a great chance to ask questions about the park, local activities in the area, and future events at Fairy Stone State Park.

Kick off your weekend with an evening of fishing fun!

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

Welcome to the park, kick off your stay with an evening by the fire at water's edge.

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

Join the Virginia Peninsula Stargazers as they point out the different items of our solar system in the night sky. They will have the equipment.  Just bring your curiosity.  This program is dependent on the clarity of the viewing sky on the night it occurs.

Are you ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city?

Rise and shine!

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

Learn about birds of the woods and fields and how they utilize their habitat for survival and nesting.

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

Have you ever thought about what an animal eats?

Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?

Archery programs are some of the best recreational activities that State Parks have to offer.

How do we make sure that the soil is ready for planting?

Discover the wonders of Phenology, the study of the seasonal and cyclical changes in nature, and create your own work of art.

Join a ranger on a guided hike to learn more about different ecosystems found in the park.

Come join us for the Clinch River Days Festival.

Become a steward of nature while building your local community and connecting with the people near you that share a passion for the outdoors. Meet with rangers at the Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center for a short talk about conservation and to get supplies to clean up the trash that washes onto the shoreline or is left and scattered along the trails and recreational areas. Clean-Up days are self-paced, so come clean our shoreline for as much time as you can spare to make a difference at the park.

Stand in the shade of one of the most 'poplar' trees in the park as you learn about Swift Creek, native wildlife, and more about the park's history.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.