Events in Virginia State Parks

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

Can you name some of the fish that inhabit Hungry Mother Lake?

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

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.

Have you ever heard a bird call and wanted to know what bird made that noise?

This trail begins on Iron Mine Trail and features an iron mine used by Fayerdale residents and an overlook of Fairy Stone Lake before transitioning into the Upper and Lower Stuart's Knob Trails.

Come drop some line in the water, and soak in some sun!

Start your day with birdsong and discovery by joining a park ranger for a bird-watching walk.

Join a ranger on a guided hike to learn more about different birds, plants, and ecosystems found in the park.

Enjoy amazing views of Horsehead Cliffs, watch Ospreys and Bald Eagles fly overhead, and look for fossils on this guided paddle tour of the Potomac River at Westmoreland State Park.

Come join a ranger on The Sugar Hill Hike!

Come and explore a dynamic ecosystem that prevents erosion and brings life to the river.  The living shoreline between the rip-rap and water’s edge is attracting interesting estuarine and marine creatures and plants.  Discover them and how living shorelines enhance and protect our waterfronts.

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

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

Have you ever seen a squirrel fly?

Super strength, super smell, super flight...Do you ever wish that you had powers like your favorite superheroes do?

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

How do forests change over time?

What does it take to be at the top of the food chain?

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.

Get up close and personal with the wildlife of Natural Tunnel State Park, without ever seeing a live animal!

Explore one of our trails to find a small fallen branch to turn into a hiking stick!

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

Come join us as we learn the fantastic, classical art of making paper.

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

How can one trail have so much to offer? Hike with a park ranger down Crostic Forest Trail to discover something new each week.

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.

The library is hitting the park!

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

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

Create a recycled flowerpot out of newspaper that you can place right in the ground with native flower seeds.

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

Are all snakes venomous?

Come join us as we experiment with watercolor painting using the papers made during our "Papermaking 101" program.

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.

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

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Paint pretty pictures with prickly pines (try saying that five times fast).

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.

Challenge yourself to identify animals not by what they look like, but by what their tracks look like.

Let nature spark your creativity!

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

Think you can stump a ranger?

Get creative and discover the magic of upcycling! Join us in repurposing glass bottles that were headed to the landfill by painting your own vase.

You never know what critters you will see around Belle Isle, there's dozens to pick from.

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

Frogs, crawdads, and children, oh my!

Come on a short walk and get creative with nature.

Step into the heart of Douthat State Park on this guided hike, where you'll uncover the wonders of nature, from the tiniest details to the grandest views.

Can not seem to get your campfire lit?

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.

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.

Explore an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night!

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

Come join the party!

Discover how fire was used by Virginia’s First Peoples to fell trees and build canoes, followed by a tasty treat Participants will get to try their hand at making fire using both the bow drill and flint and steel.

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 our rangers in exploring the wildlife along our central trails.

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

Join us for a special night hike through False Cape State Park.

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

Experience the beauty of High Bridge Trail under the enchanting light of the setting sun and the rising moon.

Watch the last traces of daylight strike the Blue Ridge Mountains on this haywagon ride.

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Ride with a ranger as we explore the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park on a beautiful summer evening.

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.

Have you ever seen or heard an actual owl call in the night?

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

Join us after dark to observe moths and other insects of the night. Entomologists Dr.

Paddle through the Catlett Islands on a Ranger led kayak tour which explores the diverse wildlife, ecosystems, and history of the park.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will offer a monthly "Birding in the Gap" program on the second Saturday of each month (with the exception of October and December).

Get knee-deep in the Shenandoah during Fly Fishing 101!  During this program, our fly-fishing instructor will go over all the basics to get you catching your first fish on a fly!

Join Rangers for a morning of family fun, fishing and learning about the Potomac River.

Each month, volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to work together on a project that helps improve and maintain our beautiful park.

Lean into summer on a self-guided float along the beautiful James River.

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

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

Spend time paddling down the Clinch River.

Visit the Virginia Master Naturalists’ Historic Southside Chapter table and learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics in order to keep Virginia "plastic free.” Please meet inside the Chippokes Visitor Center.

In the words of Woodsy Owl (1971), "Give a hoot; don't pollute!" Volunteer and help out the planet today.

Join us every second Saturday at the Mayo River Trails to explore the future Mayo River State Park. You will also discover some interesting facts about local wildlife, and about the exploration of the area by William Byrd.

Have you ever wondered what owls look like?

Curious about how the light green house looks from the inside and its restoration process?

Come learn what makes cave ecosystems so delicate and special.

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

Owls, bats, and bugs, oh my!

"Echoes of the Past: Guardians of History" is a park ranger-led program dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of history.

Join us for a guided tour of the Visitor Center at High Bridge Trail State Park, where history and nature come together!