Events in Virginia State Parks

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

What will we scoop up this time?

Ahoy Matey!

The Nature Mobile is open for discovery!

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

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

Mussels play a huge part in our watershed.

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

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

Are you an expert angler or looking to pick up a couple fishing tips?

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.

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.

Enjoy a naturalist-led hike learning all about what's blooming and growing around you.

The Albert Hash Memorial Festival will feature Old Time Music, dancing, food, crafts, and instrument makers.

Let nature spark your creativity!

Craftily sculpt a towering sandcastle, a mermaid, a turtle, your dog, or any other creature, character, or building you can think of to win this sand sculpture contest in honor of Sandcastle Day. All skill levels are encouraged to participate.

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

Have you ever wondered what makes an owl such a skilled night hunter?

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!

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

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

Learn about the history and significance of the long gun on the early American frontier.

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.

Who made those footprints?

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.

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

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

Westmoreland State Park was one of the first six state parks developed in Virginia by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.

Step into the shoes of an archaeologist and uncover the secrets of an owl’s diet!

Learn about the historical and cultural significance of Appalachian fiddle tunes.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

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

It's National Beach Day and we are on an expedition to have some fun, make a splash, and discover some of the tiny creatures that inhabit the shoreline of the Rappahannock River.

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

Come paddle the Potomac for an in-seine-ly good time!

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?

Did you know that box turtles can live over 100 years?

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

Create a hand-made, nature-inspired souvenir to take home.

What does fire mean to you?

Be on the lookout for our Roving Ranger as they roam the picnic areas and beaches with interesting animals or historical artifacts from the park.

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.

Learn about one of the park's special creatures: the zebra swallowtail butterfly!

Take some time to get out of the hot sun and join our park nature interpreter under the tent for some fun crafts. Create your own butterfly, make a picture using the sun, or "scratch-up" some art.

Slither on over to the Visitors Center for an in-depth look into the fascinating lives of local reptiles.

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

Do you have a green thumb or are just curious to get into gardening?

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?

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.

Help us tend a whole new type of garden: an oyster garden. Discover this easy past time, learn about the history of oysters in our region and how this humble bivalve takes care of our tidal waters.

Did you know owls get 'hairballs?' About once a day, an owl spits up a ball of hair and bones called an owl pellet which is actually the 'leftovers' from their most recent meals.

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

Join a ranger for an eye-opening look at nature’s clean-up crew!

Peak into the microscope to view the tiny cells that make up your favorite plants and animals.

Are you a crafty critter?

August 30th is National Beach Day!

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.

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

Take your camping skills to the next level in this camping workshop!

Did you know that people have been using plants to dye fabric for centuries?

Throughout the summer we offer multiple opportunities for you to take a tour of our beautiful park by wagon ride.

Join us on a birding adventure, starting with a quick chat about tip and tricks to help with bird identification followed by a short hike through some of Machicomoco's best bird habitats.

Paddle around the lake with us and discover the variety of habitats the lake provides.

If you're camping with us at Chippokes State Park, we would like to extend a warm invitation to attend our special evening ranger-led campfire program.

This is a special event that comes once a year, so don’t miss out. This unique program is presented by the Yapatoko. They will be sharing their culture, stories, drums, and dancing. Be prepared to join in and celebrate Native American history.

The Rappahannock Astronomy Club presents an evening of deep space viewing.

Take a lantern lit chairlift ride down to the naturally made tunnel.

Come with us to experience the beginnings of Bluegrass music and follow its evolution as it traveled across the ocean and settled in the Appalachian Mountains.

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Secrets and spiders and campfires?

Owls are some of Mason Neck's most mysterious residents, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t spot them throughout the park.

A nearly century-long tradition continues as the Natural Bridge is bathed in light the last Saturday night of every month, April through October. Experience the 200-foot-tall arch as it is lit from above and below by dozens of lights, with the only sound being the murmuring of Cedar Creek running below.

Did you know that James River State Park is a member of the International Dark Sky Association?

Enjoy a movie under the stars.

What creatures rule our beaches at night?

Take a 4-hour guided tour through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park!

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

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

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

We all enjoy a yummy meal and that’s the same for our resident snake that lives here in our Visitor Center.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

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

Stop by this Chesapeake Bay display on your way to the beach to hear a short talk all about one of the nation’s most valuable waterways.

Our Junior Ranger program is a self-guided, self-paced set of activities geared towards kids of all ages.

Hike along the riverbanks of the James River through the park's riparian forest to discover the fascinating history and wonders of the pawpaw tree.

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

This self-guided activity is suitable for all ages and can be done on your own, with a canine companion, or as a group.

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

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

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

Hot diggity dog, the Friends of False Cape are having a FUNdraiser!

Discover how flowers are more than just beautiful; they’re essential partners in plant reproduction.

Looking for a fun way to explore the park at your own pace?