Events in Virginia State Parks

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.

Experience an enjoyable ride on the lake while we watch the sun slip below the horizon.

Who's that calling in the night?

Come out to Grayson Highlands State Park for a magical night under the stars and witness the amazing Perseid Meteor Shower.

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 go on a scavenger hunt in the wilderness? Let’s go on a hike on the Captain Staunton Trail and try to find some of nature’s hidden treasures. All guests will be provided with a list of items to find while we are out on the trail. The first person to find them all will get a prize.   All materials will be provided by the park. There is no fee for this program, but the standard parking fee is required unless you are a cabin or campground guest.

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

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.

Join us as we learn more about the prehistoric history of Chippokes State Park through fossils that can be found right on our beaches!

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

Did you know that 11-3 million years ago Chippokes State Park, the James River, and most of the Tidewater area of Virginia was all under water and at the bottom of the Claremont Manor Sea? Join an interpretive ranger on an adventure through the Fossil Beds of Chippokes to see what we can find.

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

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.

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

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.

This program is all about learning how to identify wild animals by the tracks that they leave behind.

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

Join a park ranger for this competitive adventure on the one-mile loop Goodwin Lake Trail.

We know that what is now Westmoreland State Park was once covered by a shallow sea teeming with life, but what do we know about the animals of that distant world?

Can you guess what critter I am?

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.

Meet a ranger for a leisurely paced afternoon walk at the Dannelly Park access to New River Trail.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

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

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

Get ready for a reel good time.

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.

What does fire mean to you?

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Come explore the historic town of Fries.

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.

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

The one and only mammal on the planet capable of true flight absolutely loves Hungry Mother State Park.

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

The American Jet Sport Association (AJSA) will be hosting a Southern Summer Series jet ski race at Claytor Lake State Park August 15-16. The event is open to both spectators and jet ski riders of different classifications.

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.

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

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

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

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

Come join a ranger on a riverside turtle hike!

Long before there was a York River State Park, or even a York River, 6,000 plus years ago, marine creatures swam here in a shallow sea.

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.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Take a closer look at what swims in the James River.

Interested in learning about local geology?

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

What will we scoop up this time?

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!

Dare to brave the lore of dragonflies!

Can you tell the difference between an elk and a deer?

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!

Come find us at the Splash Park as we get hands on with skulls and furs from Virginia’s native animals.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

Watch one of our rangers work with a donated Bison skin, using ancient tanning methods to turn it into a functional pelt for our museum exhibits.

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.

Have you ever been walking along a trail and come across a pile of "meatballs"?

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

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).

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

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!

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the remarkable abilities of bats and the importance of preserving their habitats.

Think you can stump a ranger?

This ranger-led hike will teach you the principles of "Leave No Trace".

Join our rangers as we create owls with pinecones and other natural elements found in the park.

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

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