Events in Virginia State Parks

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.

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.

Enjoy a self-guided tour as you walk down to see the Natural Tunnel.

As you explore the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and the surrounding area, discover what makes this building so unique as well as what was commonly used on the frontier for survival during the 18th Century.

Stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a copy of a self-guided brochure on the “Common Trees of Virginia”.

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.

Belle Isle State Park is looking for the next generation of ranger, are you ready to give it a try?

Belle Isle State Park has some great activities that you can do on your own schedule.

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?

Stop by the Visitor Center for a list of items to find.

Did you know that James River State Park is an International Dark Sky Park?

Become a Junior Ranger today and earn your Official Junior Ranger Badge!

Come meet our turtle and snake animal ambassadors and explore the museum to learn about the history of the James River and the wildlife that calls this park home through interactive displays and taxidermy exhibits.

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?

Discover the secrets of the park through geocaching.

Biking is a wonderful activity to do here in the park.

Smith Mountain Lake is the perfect location for fishing.

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.