Events in Virginia State Parks

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.

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

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.

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.

Experience the anticipation of seeing what lies around each "bend" of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River from a kayaker's point of view.

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

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

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

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?

Help support the park you love.

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.

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

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!

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

All aboard the Virginia Dare for a fun-filled and informative lunch cruise.

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.

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.

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!

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

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.

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?

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.

What is paracord and what is it used for?

Trees are life-givers and inspiration for many art forms.

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

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.

Who's that calling in the night?

Branch out of your comfort zone and be “tree”-ative!

Meet with a ranger and go on a guided hike along the Lakeshore 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?

Time to go on a scavenger hunt in the campground. Staunton River’s campground is nestled back in the woods right beside the Staunton River and is the perfect place to spot some interesting rocks, animals, and plant life. Each guest will be provided with a list of items to find. Will you be the first to find them all? If so, then you may receive a prize at the end of the program. Everyone will meet at the Visitor Center and the hunt will start from there.

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

Come join a ranger in learning about Critters of the Commonwealth!

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.

The Senior Ranger Series is geared towards citizens 55 and older who are interested in learning more about nature.

It's feeding time in our Chesapeake Bay Lab!

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

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

Toads, Turtles, and Snakes- Oh my!

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

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

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.

Staunton River State Park is home for many different types of wild animals. Hike around the park and see if you can spot some of these homes. Remember to think outside the box on this one. Some animals live in trees, some live in the ground, and some live in the water.

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

Did you know 'creepy crawlies' are some of the world's most important recyclers?

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Did you know that coyotes are not naturally native to Virginia?

What will we scoop up this time?

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.

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.

Take a break from the heat this summer with a monthly game night and pizza! A park ranger and educational volunteers will provide a variety of table-top games that range from simple to complex.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.  We will hike to a small woodland and marsh stream, freshwater pond, and brackish/saltwater river.  With nets, we will capture and identify different crustaceans, fish, and take note of plant life. .

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!

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