Events in Virginia State Parks

Hop onto the FLSP Express and take a guided tour of the park!

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.

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

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

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.

Explore the life cycle of butterflies.

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.

Paddle your way around the park’s unique ecosystem.

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.

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

Energy makes sense; it helps all living things grow but is not always the same.

Trees are some of the most crucial organisms on the planet.

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

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

Is the opossum misunderstood?

Find out what lurks below the surface of the swamp in this fun dip-netting adventure!

Journey from river homesteading, to Camp Lupton’s era, to Seven Bends State Park’s leased fields.

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.

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

Pine needle crafting can rise to an art form, but one has to start somewhere.

Did you know that whales are closely related to hoofed land animals, such as cows and hippopotamuses?

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

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

Take a stroll down our beachfront to learn all about our country's largest estuary.

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

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.

Our beautiful park is the perfect place to pick up a fun new workout routine.

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.

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.

Spend time paddling down the Clinch River.

Explore the park's expansive wetlands with us as we search for and identify the plants and animals that call this unique habitat their home.

Join the Rangers on a guided hike through our most popular trail!

Can you guess what critter I am?

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

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!

Did you know that spiders are one of nature's best pest controls?

Help our resident box turtle have some fun in the sun!

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Seine fishing is an ancient practice that utilizes a net to surround and catch fish.

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.

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

Right now in Fairy Stone Lake, giant gelatinous blobs resembling brains can be found attached to stationary objects in the water, using their tentacles to feed.

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

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.

Did you know that owls regurgitate their hard-earned snacks in a small hard pellet?

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

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

Ever wondered how the cabins you stay in and the shelters you enjoy were built without modern technology?

Learn how Mother Nature can both inspire and help you create your next masterpiece.

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

Challenge yourself to name various songbirds found around Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Join the interpretive ranger and see how many of our common birds you can identify.

Join us as we comb the beach to discover what natural treasures await.

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.

Everyone has heard of dancing in the moonlight, but what about kayaking?

Who's that calling in the night?

Ever wonder what goes on at night in a park?

Meet with a ranger and go on a one-mile guided hike along the Oak Hickory Trail.

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

Want to experience the New River Trail State Park in a way few people get a chance to?

Let’s go on a fun "History Hike" at Staunton River State Park. Our interpretive ranger will lead the hike on River Bank Trail and talk about the exciting history of the Staunton River and our beautiful State Park.

Geocaching combines Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with nature to provide adventure for 'treasure hunters' all over the world.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.

It's feeding time in our Chesapeake Bay Lab!

Just as caterpillars grow and change, our Caterpillar Club programs are designed to help your little one grow and change.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

If you’ve ever wondered how a fossil is formed, this is the program for you.

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

Toads, Turtles, and Snakes- Oh my!

Do you want to learn how to use a microscope to view specimens from nature?

Second only to humans in the ability to change their environment to fit their needs, learn just how smart a beaver can be.

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.

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

Want to learn how to play the outdoorsman’s version of BINGO? Each guest will be given a Virginia State Parks Bingo Card with a picture or a word in each box. If you find five objects in a row on your card, then you get BINGO. Let's set out on the trail and see what kind of natural wonders we can find. Along the way we might also be able to observe the Staunton River and learn about the history of the Park.

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

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

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

Begin your journey along the Wilderness Road towards Cumberland Gap as an interpreter takes you on a guided tour of the museum.

Have you been to the Discovery Center and seen all the animals that live at Hungry Mother?

Did you know that opossums roamed the earth with the dinosaurs and that raccoons have “hands” like ours? Wonder what other secrets these critters hold? Join us to discover little known facts about these amazing animals and how they benefit humans.

Join us for an opportunity to get "a-head" on wildlife knowledge and learn to identify skulls based upon their characteristics.

Can you catch the biggest fish?  Discover native fish species in the Shenandoah River and responsible fishing practices by catching some “fish” that represent the different species!

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.

Scurry on over to investigate the secret life of a bug.

Joining a park ranger for a fun reading adventure!

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

Get ready for a reel good time.

What is the perfect sized walking stick for you?

Do you want to learn more about owls and what they eat?

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

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

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.