Events in Virginia State Parks

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?

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

Play with clay and find out how you can connect with Virginia's Indigenous cultures through pottery.

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

Join park rangers for a campfire at the Visitor Center.

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

Come join the party!

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 for a bit of fun around the campfire as we welcome you to the park.

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

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

Have you ever encountered a bear while hiking?

In this very special event, we will be exploring nature after the sun goes down and visualize it the way nocturnal animals do.

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

Set up your campsite and then join us for a campfire and s'mores!

Welcome to Staunton River 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.

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

Our park is known for its biodiversity and is home to many species of birds.

Adventures in History: Coal Camp Bus Tour, offered by the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park.

Start your day with a peaceful and invigorating ranger-led hike at High Bridge Trail State Park.

Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater Peninsula.

Event Registration is full!

The Great Egret joins the Great Blue Heron for super-sized avian fun at the park.

Experience paddling on one of Virginia's most beautiful and historic waterways: the James River.

After the iron industry moved away from the area, residents of Fayerdale went from mining to 'shining.

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. .

National TRACK Trails Day is an annual holiday honoring the commitment to engage children and families with the outdoors through Kids in Parks.

Start your weekend with fresh air, beautiful scenery, comradery, and a feeling of accomplishment.

Join the Friends of Mason Neck and Fairfax Master Naturalists for a rewarding day of volunteer garden work!

During the Civil War, Union soldiers were always ready for the challenges of marching, training, or engaging in battle.

In appreciation for continued support, Wilderness Road State Park offers an afternoon of entertainment.

Let's venture out in search of the great bumble bee.

Join certified Forest Therapy volunteer, Tina Hayes, for a relaxing program made to calm the mind.

Take a summer walk of exploration with two Virginia Master Naturalists in this second of a series of seasonal walks planned for children.

As summer winds to a close, discover the winged wonders of Sky Meadows State Park.

Take a summer walk of exploration with two Virginia Master Naturalists in this second of a series of seasonal walks planned for children.

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.

This place, this land, is as old as time itself.

Visit a ranger at Massie Gap to learn about different creatures that live within the park.

Ahoy Matey!

Join Master Naturalist Kim Manion for a short walk to discover the basics of tree identification.

Bows and arrows have been a part of human society for thousands of years and used for both survival and sport.

Hear the tale of star-crossed lovers that the trail is named after and view the tunnel from above.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Join our costumed interpretive rangers for a demonstration of historical cooking methods in the Jones-Stewart Mansion's original brick kitchen.

Join us for ranger-led hikes that will bring you on all or portions of some of our most popular trails.

There is so much to discover about the cool, clever, and sometimes confusing world of corvids.

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

Westmoreland State Park is home to four different ambassador animals: Reba the corn snake, Stevie the eastern king snake, and our two red-eared sliders, Venus and Jennika.

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

Let nature spark your creativity!

Toads, Turtles, and Snakes- Oh my!

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

Do you like to get hands-on experience looking for cool critters?

Discover the vital role butterflies play in our ecosystem and the remarkable journey they undertake from egg to winged adult.

Mason Neck's marsh is a hub for all sorts of bugs from dragonflies and fireflies to spiders, snails, butterflies, and so much more.

This land-based, hook-free fishing game is a fun and safe way to learn how to cast, but even those who are fishing fanatics will enjoy trying to beat out the competition in this game of limited resources.

Bug out and win cool prizes.

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!

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.

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

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.

We would like to introduce you to “Boxer” the box turtle.

As you make your way to the shoreline, stop and visit the live creature displays of fish & shellfish that were recently captured in the York River and Woodstock Pond.  The ranger on duty will share about these creatures and their role in the ecosystem.

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

Murders over moonshine rocked the town of Fayerdale in the 1920s and 30s, leaving a dying town remembered for tragedy rather than the mining operations that once made it a boom town. Moonshining (illegal whiskey making) was quite prevalent in and around the Fairy Stone State Park area in the early 1900s. Jealousy, greed, and competition often led to feuds, brawls, and even killings.

Turtles love worms, fish love worms, birds love worms, and our interpretive rangers love worms.

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

Hit the lake and join us in canoeing on the historic John H.

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

Join our costumed interpretive rangers for a demonstration of historical cooking methods in the Jones-Stewart Mansion's original brick kitchen.

Law in the west is swift and harsh.

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

Come on out to the park and test your paddling skills.

Can you spot a bald eagle?

This "crab" is actually more closely related to spiders and scorpions!

Have you ever wondered how snakes can swallow something as big as their own heads?

Do you have a passion for nature, environmental education, and wish to make a difference?

Explore the great outdoors with our fun and interactive Nature Bingo!

Join the fun of this centuries old art and show your creativity while learning about the fish of Smith Mountain Lake.

Ever wonder what animals call Kiptopeke home, or what shells you can find on our beaches?

Discover the art of journaling in the wild with a ranger.

Ever wonder what dolls of the 18th century frontier looked like or what they were made of?

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.

Our friends Hisstopher and Harrold planned a lunch date, and they want you to join.

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

Become an owl pellet detective as we dissect the clues an owl leaves behind.

The natural world around us is like a game of Jenga, and when species are removed, the balance becomes increasingly unstable.

Did you know there was once a thriving "boom town" located where our lake is today?

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.

Come say hello to Ranger Shelly, our red-eared slider and local shellebrity. Join us at the beach as she enjoys some sunshine and enrichment time.

Wanting to hone your outdoor skills?