Events in Virginia State Parks

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

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

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

Back to school time doesn't mean summer fun has to end.

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.

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?

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.

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

Come be a scientist for the day with our park rangers!

Join a ranger on for some fishing fun, on dry land!

Can you guess what critter I am?

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.

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.

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

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!

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

Think you can stump a ranger?

Join the rangers with a fun tree craft.

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

Slime is survival.

Virginia is home to a healthy population of black bears; do you know what to do if you encounter one?

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

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?

Every program description needs a hook, but this program already has plenty of them.

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.

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

Come join the party!

Where's the best place to fish at the park?

Join our rangers in exploring the wildlife along our central trails.

Enjoy a movie night under the stars and bring your chairs, blankets, snacks, and more for the whole family!

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

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

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

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

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

See the night-time world like you've never seen it before!

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.

Experience Westmoreland State Park after hours with this enchanting program.

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!

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

Grab your binoculars and get outside. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy leads these monthly hikes to discover and identify birds at Sweet Run State Park. We will explore parts of this beautiful 900-acre preserve to see what lives in it and visit its diverse habitats.

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.

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. .

Step back in time and experience the power and precision of Civil War-era firepower during this ranger-led musket demonstration, held within the historic grounds of Camp Paradise.

Would you like to have the chance to explore the trails in Powhatan State Park and meet new people?

Life, as we know it, depends on pollinators.

In our park's nature center, you can see many different native animals of Virginia.

From antlions to zebra swallowtails, amazing insects are everywhere!

Explore the rich natural history of trees guided by a Virginia Master Naturalist.

Explore the rich natural history of trees guided by a Virginia Master Naturalist.

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

Join us for the 6th Annual Pollinator & Nature Festival.

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.

Come join us for a fun day in the river learning all about the Clinches River Critters.

The York River was home to four manned lighthouses: Bells Rock, Pages Rock, Tue Marshes, and York Spit.  Bells Rock was the uppermost, just two miles below West Point.  Pages Rock was the only other light above the Coleman (Rt.

There are many stories to tell about Sweet Run State Park.  Some are visual, some will be tactile, and most do not use words.

Come celebrate national bird day with this fun Birding Bingo.

Ahoy Matey!

Leesylvania State Park is home to many different turtles!

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

Mussels play a huge part in our watershed.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

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

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

How do forests change over time?

A paracord key chain has endless uses, designs, and accessories and is a must have on any adventure.

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

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.

Bread and meat are common fare found along the western fringes of the Virginia frontier.

Let nature spark your creativity!

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

The Ranger Station is the place to bring your questions or curiosity about the park, its inhabitants, to find a suitable trail, or to chat with a park ranger.

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

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

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.

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Bug out and win cool prizes.