Events in Virginia State Parks

Sweet Run is proudly wearing green all summer thanks to 884 acres of abundant forests!

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Be on the lookout for our Roving Ranger as they roam the picnic areas and beaches with interesting animals or historical artifacts from the park.

Read a tale as you walk the trail. Begin at the CCC Museum to begin your exploration and story time at your own pace.

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

Learn the essentials of basic target archery, a skill that, thanks to artifacts found at the park, we know humans have been practicing here for thousands of years.

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

Help dig up invasive plants to improve the forests and meadows of 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!

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

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.

What is a seed bomb?

The trash and litter we leave behind can hurt the environment.

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?

Follow a ranger on a walk through agricultural history in this guided tour of the Farm and Forestry Museum.

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

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

The Bay can hold many secrets.

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

Celebrate National Moon Day by learning more about the elusive animals that come out under the moonlight.

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

Are you ready to broaden your horizons beyond car camping to enjoy a more challenging and immersive camping experience?

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

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

Create a hand-made, nature-inspired souvenir to take home.

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

Frogs, crawdads, and children, oh my!

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.

End the weekend with a scenic trip on the York River (or Taskinas Creek depending on water conditions) in the evening.  Discover the birds and creatures that are active in the gentle light of sunset.  Cost.

Do you feel safer walking with a friend?

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.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Have you ever wondered what secrets the natural world holds? This drop-in program offers a unique opportunity to meet with Virginia Master Naturalists who will be available to answer all your nature-related questions.

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.

Find the roving ranger as they travel the campground to find out what cool things they brought with them from our Discovery Center.

Step back in time and test your skills with an atlatl!  An atlatl (spear thrower) was a tool used by some Indigenous tribes during the Paleoindian culture and Archaic period.

Don't judge a book by its cover!

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

Every Monday evening from May to the first week of September you can find local fresh produce, baked goods, honey, jams and jellies, soap, and local artisan crafters, as well as food vendors, here at Fairy Stone State Park.

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

The Fairfield Foundation opens the Timberneck house for free walk-in tours every Tuesday.

Come learn what makes cave ecosystems so delicate and special.

Have you ever bumped into one of our tall bark-covered residents and wondered who it is you've just run into?

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

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

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

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.

First Landing is home to many creatures both large and small.

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

What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?

Step back in time and test your skills with an atlatl!  An atlatl (spear thrower) was a tool used by some Indigenous tribes during the Paleoindian culture and Archaic period.

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

Spring has sprung.

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

Bring your current project, plans, or patterns, and work with others doing the same.

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

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

Spend time floating down the Clinch River.

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

Yes, you too can canoe!

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

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

Come on down to the river for an in-seine-ly good time!

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

Come find us at the Terrace Gardens as we embark on a Nature Hike down the sensational Mossy Creek Trail.

On this hike, stimulate your senses as we immerse ourselves in nature.

Designed to introduce young participants to the wonders of the natural world and foster an appreciation for the environment.

Join us as we open the doors to the old Norfolk and Western caboose 518517.

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

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

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

While most of the adventure on the New River takes place above the water, there is no shortage of things to see below the water!

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

Go back in time in the historic village of Foster Falls.

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

Do you want to witness the art of Gyotaku fish printing, an ancient craft where you can create your own fish masterpiece!

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

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

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.

Let’s walk back in time through the exhibits here at Occoneechee State Park and learn about the history of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation.

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

Enjoy a scenic guided walk along the New River Trail. This easy one-mile round trip tour will take visitors outside one of the oldest mining operations in North America, the Austinville lead mines.

Been itching to go fishing?

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.

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

How can we be more sustainable when practicing our favorite hobbies?

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets held by the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

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

Join our Park Rangers for a unique experience of Aquia Creek as the cloak of twilight descends.

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.

The day has been filled with fun activities, but now it is time to wind down with a peaceful paddle on the lake.

Keep your eyes on the skies and come along as we dive into the art of bird journaling and discover fascinating facts about your favorite feathered friends.