Events in Virginia State Parks

Is the opossum misunderstood?

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.

Animals may be shy, but they leave plenty of clues behind.

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

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

Ever wondered how you stack up against some of the largest birds in the sky?

Did you know people were tie-dyeing clothes over a thousand years before it became a 1960s fashion trend?

Allow the evening to envelop you and enjoy a hay wagon ride with our park guide.

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

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

Yes, you too can canoe!

This summer, the Junior Ranger program is exploring different biomes, and Week 1 is Wetlands! Programs run Monday - Wednesday from 10am to 1pm. Outdoor and weather appropriate clothing must be worn as we will be exploring the park; getting dirty and wet are both strong possibilities. Closed-toed shoes are required every day. Please don't forget to bring a lunch and a reusable water bottle, as well as apply sunscreen and bugspray before the program begins.

Take a fascinating hike to learn about the rich history of James River State Park from fossils to the American Civil War.

Come across our Ranger outposts stationed at a part of First Landing State Park you may have never visited: the Narrows Beach!

Without pollinators, people and all of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.

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

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

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.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

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

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

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

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

Right now in Fairy Stone Lake, giant gelatinous blobs resembling brains can be found attached to stationary objects in the water, using their tentacles to feed.

Trees are so important to our environment. They give us air to breathe, homes for animals, wood to build our homes and help control erosion.

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

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.

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

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

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.

Experience an enjoyable ride on the lake while we watch the sun slip below the horizon.

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

Want to learn how to play the outdoorsman’s version of BINGO? Each guest will be given a Virginia State Parks Bingo Card with a picture or a word in each box. If you find five objects in a row on your card, then you get BINGO. Let's set out on the trail and see what kind of natural wonders we can find. Along the way we might also be able to observe the Staunton River and learn about the history of the Park.

Geocaching combines Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with nature to provide adventure for treasure hunters all over the world.

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

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

Join the Rangers on a guided hike through our most popular trail!

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.

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.

The beauty of nature has inspired artists for thousands of years.

This program is all about learning how to identify wild animals by the tracks that they leave behind.

Calling all budding detectives.

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the remarkable abilities of bats and the importance of preserving their habitats.

The batteau was a historically significant boat used in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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

Discover the fascinating world of creepy crawlies with a park ranger.

Trees are some of the most crucial organisms on the planet.

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

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

We all love the great outdoors and enjoy nature. Sometimes we are in a hurry and miss out on all the little things nature has to offer. The James River and its lush landscapes have always been a source of life and inspiration. So, let's take that inspiration and have a “brush” with nature while we paint what we see and talk about what we are painting.

Join our volunteer on a short stroll and tour of the historic Howe House.

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

Join us for a refreshing blend of learning and outdoor fun that promotes environmental awareness and sparks a sense of wonder about the tiny worlds hidden in plain sight, right by the pool.

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

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

Let us teach you all the basics you'll need to know to get yourself started with one of our most popular outdoor activities, from tying on your hook and tackle to casting your line.

Join us for an evening exploring the diversity of Virginia's native nocturnal wildlife.  Erin Shibley, Program Coordinator with the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, will present an interactive program about the behavior and ecological benefits of bats and other nocturnal animals.

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!

Let us teach you all the basics you'll need to know to get yourself started with one of our most popular outdoor activities, from tying on your hook and tackle to casting your line.

Explore the beautiful wetlands or river with us.

Immerse yourself in nature and experience the calming and health-promoting benefits of the forest.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Have you ever wondered what lies under your feet?

See First Landing in a whole new lens in this guided program through one of the most vital ecosystems around: the marsh!

See something that sparks your curiosity on the trail?

Interested in learning about local geology?

Come celebrate national bird day with this fun Birding Bingo.

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

Paddling a kayak gives you a new perspective of the world.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, or is that a bat?

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.

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

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.

Join us for an exciting journey into the world of butterflies with our Citizen Science Series, "Exploring Nature with eButterfly." We will explore how to utilize eButterfly, a cutting-edge citizen science platform, to identify, document, and contribute to butterfly research. Discover the rich diversity of butterflies in their local ecosystems and gain valuable skills in butterfly identification, observation, and data collection.

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.

You can learn a lot about the health of a stream by seeing what lives beneath its surface.

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

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

Every week the Rangers at First Landing will show off some of our wonderful animal ambassadors to provide an up-close look at the reptiles and amphibians that call First Landing home! Located within the trail center, the Discovery Room is welcome to all ages.

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

Come learn about the Clinch River's famous mussels.

Our wildlife ambassadors are taking a field trip to the library!  Join us at Samuels Public Library for our interactive program Toads, Turtles, and Snakes.

Join a ranger as they showcase local rocks, minerals, and fossils commonly found around Natural Tunnel State Park.

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

The Bay can hold many secrets.

Think you can stump a ranger?

What's that roosting in the rafters?

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

Pan for gold in the James River while learning about Virginia’s unique geology, the rocks and minerals of the park, and the magnetic sand on the banks of the river.  Participants must be ages 10 and over.

Are you predator or prey?

Come over to picnic shelter #2 and get inspired by the great outdoors.

Join us for "Turtle Time" at Holliday Lake State Park and meet our beloved turtle, Harrold Holliday!

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

This ranger-led hike will teach you the principles of "Leave No Trace".

Get down and dirty with this two-hour wild cave tour.

You never know what critters you will see around Belle Isle, there's dozens to pick from.

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.