Events in Virginia State Parks

Join us for a Saturday afternoon of music and fun.

Over 200 years ago, early adventurers like Daniel Boone walked these same hills and valleys we see today.

This "crab" is actually more closely related to spiders and scorpions!

People respond differently to different animals.

What is the perfect sized walking stick for you?

Although most of Mason Neck’s critter friends are nocturnal, that doesn’t mean we can’t see evidence of them.

Enjoy a refreshing cup of lemonade with a ranger and engage in interesting discussions to gain a unique insight into local wildlife and conservation efforts.

Need a hiking stick or just want to embellish your own?

Our friends Hisstopher and Harrold planned a lunch date, and they want you to join.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Join us as we continue to pay homage to 70,000 years of history and human tradition as we practice the sport of Archery.

The natural world around us is like a game of Jenga, and when species are removed, the balance becomes increasingly unstable.

Can you imagine a world without video games, cell phones, or TV?

Did you know there was once a thriving "boom town" located where our lake is today?

Express yourself on the trail with a stylish and unique hiking stick you designed and decorated yourself.

Meet us at the Camp Store to learn about the 7 Leave No Trace principles while we come together to clean our beaches!

Join our rangers on a short stroll and tour of the historic Howe House as we discuss how the park came to be.

Did you know owls get 'hairballs?' About once a day, an owl spits up a ball of hair and bones called an owl pellet which is actually the 'leftovers' from their most recent meals.

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.

Virginia is home to a very smart, and often mischievous animal, Ursus americanus, or the American Black Bear.

Practice your casting and reeling in the grass.

Did you know that people have been using plants to dye fabric for centuries?

Who made those footprints?

Twilight Paddle Adventures are a great way to spend an evening away from the hustle and bustle of work, traffic and the cares of life.

Join us for the 2025 season of Music by the River, one of the highlights of the summer on Virginia’s Northern Neck.

Enjoy a summer evening with live music and local wine in the woods!

Join our friends from Whitetop Yoga to experience a more engaged form of yoga as you strike poses on our standup paddleboards out in the lake.

Autumn is not the only season that is perfect to take a wagon ride. Take a relaxing ride through the park and campground, experiencing the sounds of summertime. Pre-registration is required; the cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. For more information and to register please call the park office at 276-940-2674.

Let’s set some hooks and set sail- uh...

Take your camping skills to the next level in this camping workshop!

Throughout the summer we offer multiple opportunities for you to take a tour of our beautiful park by wagon ride.

Take a wagon ride to the scenic Tye Overlook and enjoy the prettiest view for miles around.

Can you pitch a tent?

Come gather around the campfire and immerse yourself in a night of cultural storytelling, where we share remarkable ancient tales passed through generations. As you listen to these captivating stories, you will have the opportunity to enjoy some delicious s'mores next to the campfire with friends and family.

Secrets and spiders and campfires?

With 400 years of history, there are thousands of stories that the land of Chippokes has to offer.

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

Everyone loves fireflies, but how do they make their light, and why?

Who is that calling to you in the night?

The Chesapeake Bay provides visitors with some of the most stunning views of the sunset and sounds of the waves.

Enjoy a movie under the stars.

Ever wondered what it’s like to paddle under a sky full of stars?

Who are these stealthy hunters of the night?

Experience the park at night with a ranger guide pointing out stars and planets, nocturnal wildlife, and the joys of a natural night with low light pollution.

Ever wonder what kind of animals are out and about during the night? Our wetlands serve multiple purposes, but they are excellent hunting grounds for many of our nocturnal animals. We will show you how they use these skills with some hands-on activities. Wear some comfortable closed-toe shoes for this evening tour through our wetlands.

The Delta Aquarids meteor shower is an average meteor shower that can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak.

Looking for a fun way to explore the park at your own pace?

The Let's Go Adventures staff will introduce you to the basics like, how to select a rod and reel combo, knot tying, and selecting the right fly for conditions and species.

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

What better way to enjoy the many sights and sounds of the park than by kayak?

Have you ever wondered what lies under your feet?

Come along on a one-mile hike through our trails with knowledgeable rangers to learn about the plants and animals who live in Kiptopeke State Park.

Join a ranger, enjoy Big Meadow Trail, and learn about the natural history of Westmoreland State Park.

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

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

Join us for a week-long celebration honoring the vibrant history of Pocahontas State Park, specifically highlighting the activities and programs once offered at its formerly segregated side, Group Camp 7, which was opened for use for the first time on July 15th, 1939.

Culture was an important aspect of activities held at Group Camp 7.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

The Nature Mobile is open for discovery!

Stop by this Chesapeake Bay display on your way to the beach to hear a short talk all about one of the nation’s most valuable waterways.

Come explore aquatic life in the James River!

Visit a ranger and learn about bear safety, including how to store food, what to do when you come across a bear while hiking, camping in bear country, and more.

Stop by the Visitor Center and have the opportunity to view the sun through a telescope.

Discover the art of journaling in the wild with a ranger.

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

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

Discover wildflowers and their pollinators as we walk along the trail along Saunder's Creek.

With plenty of summer flowers and plants to feed on, butterflies are a plenty here at Mason Neck.

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!

There are many stories to tell about Sweet Run State Park.  Some are visual, some will be tactile, and most do not use words.

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.

Interested in learning more about archery while having fun?

Westmoreland State Park invites you to learn about the different fossil types that you can find here along the shoreline, and why, as you create your very own shark tooth necklace keepsake.

What is a seed bomb?

Spend your Sunday by the river!  Each Sunday, a ranger will be stationed in the picnic area with a fun activity for the whole family!  Activities may include a fur and skull table, meeting the wildlife ambassadors, dip netting, crafts, and more!

What will we scoop up this time?

Dive into excitement with our "Dipnetting Adventure" at Holliday Lake State Park.

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

The Bay can hold many secrets.

Butterflies are some of Mason Neck's prettiest residents and there are numerous species that can be seen around the park.

Trees have magical qualities which give us many important everyday items and the oxygen we breathe.

Do you want to learn the history of the land where Kiptopeke State Park is today?

Do you have a passion for nature, environmental education, and wish to make a difference?

Did you know using sticks on your hike may conserve your energy on treks through all different terrains?

What bird lives most of its life on the ground, can fly as fast as a car, and was almost our national bird?

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

What helps keep the Chesapeake Bay clean and safe for everyone to enjoy?

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

Frogs, crawdads, and children, oh my!

Evenings are a wonderful time in the park to be on the water.

Junior Ranger Camp is here! There are many things to discover at Leesylvania State Park.

Get ready for summer discoveries and fun!  Our kid's camps are a great way for children to be immersed in the estuarine ecosystem.  We offer two sessions of the Nature Explorers  in July (children who have completed Kindergarten* through 2nd grades) to introduce younger campers to unique creatures and basic outdoor activities.  Our Junior Rangers (one session in August for children who have completed 3rd through 5th grades) will be more engaged in wildlife mapping and outdoor skills.  Registration begins February 10th.  Cost is $40 per child.

Do you feel safer walking with a friend?

Discover your park perspective!

Campers will dive into essential fishing skills, learning about river conditions and weather patterns, bait and tackle selection, fishing techniques and safety practices.

We are looking for the next generation of rangers, are you ready to give it a try?

Grab your gear and saddle up for a ride down the Cape Henry Trail, First Landing‘s longest multi-use trail.

Who wants to be a junior ranger?  Join us for our junior ranger camp for ages 6-9 from Monday, July 14 - Thursday, July 17.

This summer, the Junior Ranger program is exploring different biomes, and Week 4 is Forests! 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.