Events in Virginia State Parks

Join us for "Tree Topia" as we uncover the magical realm of trees and their incredible role as habitats!

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

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

Want to save the bees, butterflies, birds, and more? Just plant native! Even the smallest pollinator-friendly patch will make a difference. Come to our pollinator garden workshop and learn everything you need to know to get started.

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

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 the rangers with a fun tree craft.

When it comes to carrying survival materials with you on the trail, every little bit of space counts, so hikers come up with creative ways to carry their gear.

Practice your detective skills by uncovering snakes hidden in images of their habitat, and discover how best to avoid those with venom.

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

Seine netting is a skill that has allowed countless people over time to enjoy the bounty of the seas.

Discover the “bear facts” about Fairy Stone State Park’s black bears at our ranger-led program. Find out their characteristics, their habits, how to avoid conflicts, and much, much more.

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

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.

This is a fantastic time of year to take-in the beautiful Southwest Virginia landscape (and even eat some berries!).  Gravel tires work best on New River Trail crushed stone trail surface.

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.

See one of the crown jewels within the park.

All of the park's original facilities back in the 1930's were built by hand.

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

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

Experience the park in a whole new light, without the light!

The Perseids meteor shower is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.

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.

Be on the lookout for our Roving Ranger as they roam the trail around High Bridge with interesting historical items from the park.

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

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 a park ranger on a three-mile hike to the waterfall and back.

Enjoy a relaxing paddle on the Potomac River! This paddle tour is designed to show you the ecosystem, wildlife, and views from the river as we look back to the shoreline of Westmoreland State Park.  This paddle provides excellent views and wildlife sighting opportunities to include, the Horsehead Cliffs (from a safe distance),stratigraphy of the Cliffs, erosion and water as a true natural force, a brief fossil hunting on fossil beach, and significant bird watching opportunities to include special and unscheduled appearances by Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Blue Herons, and more!  Please sign up and pay in advance for this program at the Visitor Center. Guests should meet at the day-use beach and boathouse area. All equipment is provided however participants should wear closed-toed shoes. All children participating should be over 35lbs. Participants should wear a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and bring water and snacks with them.  This paddle begins at the scheduled time and can run for roughly 2 hours. This program has limited spots available.

Discover your park perspective!

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

Explore the beautiful wetlands or river with us.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

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

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

10 and 2, 10 and 2, get into the rhythm of fly fishing.

Make your own pig and meet our ambassador animal: Tazewell the potbellied pig!

Interested in learning about local geology?

Toads, Turtles, and Snakes- Oh my!

Come celebrate national bird day with this fun Birding Bingo.

Find time to head down to the Tunnel Platform where you’ll find amazing views of the 300-foot-tall amphitheater walls of the Natural Tunnel, rock pigeons, and if you’re lucky, a train.

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!

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

Turtles have a complex shield covered in a mosaic pattern. Join us to look closer at these reptile shells as we recreate natures masterpiece.

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.

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

Are all snakes venomous?

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.

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

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

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Did you know your shoes leave more than tracks behind?

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

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

Join a ranger to enjoy an ancient traditional form of fishing known as seining out on the Potomac River.

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.

Do you know what's in the woods?

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

Join us at the Big Water Visitor Center to watch us feed our residents in the salt water fish tank.

There’s duck calls and elk calls, but have you ever heard a squirrel call?

Beat the summer heat with a stream-side guided hike to learn the basics of tree identification.

Explore the life cycle of butterflies.

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.

What's that roosting in the rafters?

Think you can stump a ranger?

Come out to South Beach to learn how to use different types of nets to discover what animals are hiding offshore.

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.

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

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

Have you ever wondered what owls look like?

One Fish, Two Fish, I-Don’t-Know-Who Fish!

Join a ranger to learn about the wild animals found at Belle Isle State Park that delight your senses.

Join a ranger for a guided hike along one of the fingers of Fairy Stone Lake that leads to an abandoned iron mine.

Be on the lookout for our Roving Ranger as they roam the trail around High Bridge with interesting historical items from the park.

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.

As the sun begins to set and the wildlife start to come out of their hiding places, join the interpretive rangers for a relaxing and fun evening canoe drift on the lake.

Can not seem to get your campfire lit?

Embark on a guided tour of the area known as Group Camp 7.

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

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.

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

Come join the party!

Join our rangers for a bit of fun around the campfire.

Come chow down at the campfire and share some s’mores as we settle into the weekend and leave our marks on a fiery take-home souvenir!

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

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

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

Come take a walk with us to search for some of the park's most elusive night-time predators: owls! As we walk along under the quiet cover of darkness, we'll listen for their haunting voices as they cry out across the landscape.

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.

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

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

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.

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

Join us for Moth Watch, a nighttime exploration of the fascinating world of moths.

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

Every program description needs a hook, but this program already has plenty of them.