Events in Virginia State Parks

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

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

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

Who wouldn't want to learn helpful skills to fully enjoy nature safely and responsibly?

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

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

Join a ranger and learn tips and tricks to take better photos with the cameras we always have on us - our phones.

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?

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

Have you met the animals living at Hungry Mother State Park's Discovery Center?

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.

Don't judge a book by its cover!

This is a fantastic time of year to take-in the beautiful scenery of Southwest Virginia.

Take a break from the heat this summer with a monthly game night and pizza! A park ranger and educational volunteers will provide a variety of table-top games that range from simple to complex.

Embark on an exciting and interactive adventure designed to bring out your inner explorer and historian!

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

Come explore the historic town of Fries.

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

The Friends of Twin Lakes State Park is an all-volunteer non-profit that supports Twin Lakes State Park.

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

The one and only mammal on the planet capable of true flight absolutely loves Hungry Mother State Park.

Step into the quiet, mysterious woods of Douthat State Park after dark for an unforgettable experience.

Children Ages 7 - 13 Wednesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Children can experience Virginia’s frontier like never before.

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

Join us along the New River for a FREE hour-long guided yoga flow session, led by a Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor.

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.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Color your world while developing your creative skills through watercolor painting at this weekly outdoor program led by a recognized local artist.

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

Interested in learning about local geology?

Fly through the gardens of Twins Lakes State Park on your quest to find resources and claim your flower before it's gone! Join us for this "musical chairs" based program competing to keep your resources before habitat loss ensues.

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

Can you recall taking a break on a hot summer day and sitting under the shade of a maple tree, or swinging on a tire swing hung from a giant oak? Trees provide many benefits including food, shelter, and oxygen, to both humans and wildlife.

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

Join us for the vibrant "Lunch on the Lawn," an afternoon of music, community, and creativity!

Meet Natural Tunnel's wildlife ambassador, Popcorn the corn snake.

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

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

See something that sparks your curiosity on the trail?

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

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 as we explore the various flora of one of the most biodiverse places on the planet!

Enjoy a ranger-led hike learning all about what's blooming and growing around you.

Come join us for a day of giving back at Seven Bends State Park!

Get creative when you build your very own bug at this ranger-led program.

Calling all budding detectives.

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

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 us as we learn more about the prehistoric history of Chippokes through fossils that can be found right on our beaches!

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.

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

Are all snakes venomous?

Did you know that 11 to 3 million years ago Chippokes, the James River, and most of the Tidewater area of Virginia was all under water and at the bottom of the Claremont Manor Sea? Join an interpreter on an adventure through the Fossil Beds of Chippokes to see what we can find...

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

Stop by the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and step back in time to experience aspects of life on the frontier.

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

Join a ranger for a stream-side guided hike to learn the basics of tree identification.

The Bay can hold many secrets.

Three out of every ten bites of food we consume were grown with the help of pollinators.

Think you can stump a ranger?

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.

Get your feet wet investigating the vast array of life in a stream. Catch crawdads, salamanders, frogs and such.

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

What's that roosting in the rafters?

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

June 16-22 is National Pollinator Week!

Let us keep the kids entertained while the adults set up or take a break from setting up and stop by for a quick craft; discussion of Belle Isle's history; or a lesson on critters.

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

Can not seem to get your campfire lit?

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.

Join the rangers with a fun tree craft.

Holliday Lake State Park is buzzing with life this time of year.

End your week with a relaxing paddle along Swift Creek Lake.

The blue crab is one of the most iconic species of the Chesapeake Bay.

Experience the summer solstice on the tranquil Potomac River and listen for nocturnal creatures. We'll meet at the Visitor Center to gear up before paddling out to Caledon Marsh in hopes of observing birds and other wildlife.

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.

Join us for a night of bat-tastic fun at Twin Lakes State Park!

High Bridge Trail State Park invites you to witness the spectacular sight of nature's fireflies by the thousands in the treetops below the historic High Bridge.

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

Come join the party!

***REGISTRATION IS FULL*** Warm summer nights combined with the lush, blooming grasslands at Powhatan State Park make the perfect stage for dancing fireflies! Join us at 7:30 p.m. for a glowing bug craft, then around 8 p.m. we'll learn about their amazing adaptations from a Virginia Master Naturalist followed by a ranger-led hayride alongside the rolling hills and wide-open meadows to watch their famous display.

Join us at the amphitheater for a warm welcome to the park, camping tips, and fun activities!

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

Explore some of Machicomoco’s best views during golden hour while stopping in to talk with a Ranger about some of their favorite park topics.

Join us at the Community Fire Ring to relax, enjoy a roasted marshmallow, and get to know your camping neighbors.

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

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

Take a stroll along our lake shore as you visit several mesmerizing lights that have been placed in or along the lake.

Come for the s’mores, stay for the fun!

Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater Peninsula.

Event Registration is full!

Join us for our nature photography series!  April 19 - Wildflowers and Wildlife  May 17 - Bird ID and Photography  June 21 - Wildlife Photography and Scavenger Hunt  On June 21, we will begin with a review of techniques for taking close-up photographs.  Following the review, we will head to the field to practice these techniques by capturing images to complete a nature scavenger hunt.  This is a great family event.

Experience paddling on one of Virginia's most beautiful and historic waterways: the James River.

Join a park ranger on a hike to the waterfall and back.

Plan on hiking the Rhododendron Trail to see the wild ponies of Grayson Highlands State Park?

Start your weekend with fresh air, beautiful scenery, comradery, and a feeling of accomplishment.

Join the Friends of Mason Neck and Fairfax Master Naturalists for a rewarding day of volunteer garden work!