Events in Virginia State Parks

Join a ranger to learn how our beautiful lake came to be and the fascinating history of the lake's past inhabitants.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Do you know what's in the woods?

Who says bears can’t brush their teeth?

What does fire mean to you?

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Use all your senses to learn something new about the environment.

Can you pitch a tent?

Are you predator or prey?

Come on a short walk and get creative with nature.

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found around the park.

Who says bears can’t brush their teeth?

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Virginia Tech Department of History, Wilderness Road Regional Museum, and other history friends are collecting art from local students.

Are you predator or prey?

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found around the park.

What does fire mean to you?

Wanna hear a cool story?

What do you know about our scaly friends?

The American Jet Sport Association (AJSA) will be holding its 2024 Blue Ridge Mountain Series Championship at Claytor Lake State Park. The event is open to both spectators and jet ski riders of different classifications. It is suggested that spectators bring their own chairs and tents to the event.

Join the rangers with a fun tree craft.

How do you tell trees apart?

Who says bears can’t brush their teeth?

Can you pitch a tent?

Ever wondered what you can and can't eat out in the wild?

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

What does fire mean to you?

Relax and have a s'more by the campfire as we learn about one of our most common nocturnal animals: bats!

What do you know about our scaly friends?

What is paracord and what is it used for?

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found around the park.

Join us by the campfire for a relaxing evening as we welcome you back to the park.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Ever wondered what you could do with what's under your feet?

Come on a short walk and get creative with nature.

Join us by the campfire for a relaxing evening as we welcome you back to the park.

Explore our park and learn something new with some special programming:  Friday, Sept.

What does fire mean to you?

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

What is paracord and what is it used for?

Ever wondered how a small piece of plastic can impact an entire ecosystem? Join the rangers for an interactive talk about pollution and how we can learn to Leave No Trace!

Are you predator or prey?

Can you pitch a tent?

Take a stroll along our lake shore as you visit several mesmerizing lights that have been placed in or along the lake.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Join us around a relaxing campfire on autumn's eve as our rangers discuss why leaves change color.

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found around the park.

It's a bird!

Have you ever wondered about the birds in your area?

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

11 a.m.   Shoreline Cleanup @ the Beach Building Volunteer  your and help stop pollution.

Volunteer your time to help stop pollution.

Ever wondered how a small piece of plastic can impact an entire ecosystem? Join the rangers for an interactive talk about pollution and how we can learn to Leave No Trace!

Use all your senses to learn something new about the environment.

How do you tell trees apart?

Can you pitch a tent?

Come on a short walk and get creative with nature.

Can you pitch a tent?

What does fire mean to you?

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Are you predator or prey?

Join us by the campfire for a relaxing evening as we welcome you back to the park.

Join us around a relaxing campfire during peak fall foliage as our rangers discuss why leaves change color.

Ever wondered how a small piece of plastic can impact an entire ecosystem? Join the rangers for an interactive talk about pollution and how we can learn to Leave No Trace!

What is the perfect sized walking stick for you?

Join our rangers as we go on a relaxing hike to observe the beautiful fall colors during peak fall foliage and discuss why the leaves change color.

What does fire mean to you?

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Ever wondered what you could do with what's under your feet?

Happy Bat Week!

Relax and have a s'more by the campfire as we learn about one of our most common nocturnal animals: bats!

Join us at the park on the eve of the Virginia Tech Homecoming game. Claytor Lake State Park will be hosting a BBQ Cookoff and other fun tailgate games for park guests on October 25th with final judging starting at 6 p.m. Please fill out the pre-registration form here.

Join rangers on a short stroll and tour of the historic Howe House.

Join us at the park to play in some fun lawn games before the Virginia Tech vs.

Celebrate Halloween with family and friends at Claytor Lake State Park for a day of spooky fun.

Join the rangers with a fun tree craft.

Join us by the campfire for a relaxing evening as we welcome you back to the park.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Join the rangers for a unique hiking experience.

Join us around a relaxing campfire during peak fall foliage as our rangers discuss why leaves change color.

What is paracord and what is it used for?

What does fire mean to you?

Who says bears can’t brush their teeth?

Virginia State Park license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.  Parking fees will be waived on Earth Day (4/22), Arbor Day (4/26), National Kids to Parks Day (5/18), Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day (6/15), Veterans Day (11/11), and #OptOutside Day (11/29) for individuals with a Virginia State Park license plate.

Wanna hear a cool story?

Now is a great time to get ready for maple syrup season later this winter.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Join our rangers as we hang out in the park after dark!

Are you predator or prey?

Ever wondered what you could do with what's under your feet?

Join our rangers as we hang out in the park after dark!

Virginia State Park license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.  Parking fees will be waived on Earth Day (4/22), Arbor Day (4/26), National Kids to Parks Day (5/18), Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day (6/15), Veterans Day (11/11), and #OptOutside Day (11/29) for individuals with a Virginia State Park license plate.

While everyone else is out shopping or online this Black Friday, #OptOutside and join us by the campfire.

Join us for a festive celebration filled with holiday activities and music.

Did you know that Haven Howe was an early advocate for environmental reform in Virginia? Participate in person or virtually as we examine the fine craftsmanship of the Howe House and learn of its builder, inhabitants, and history.

Take a hike back in time by visiting our tour points located at the same location as our collection of photos and videos from past years at Claytor Lake State Park and Claytor Lake.

Earn your junior ranger patch through a variety of programs and fun family activities.  Visit the park office, gift shop, or contact station for a copy of our junior ranger booklet, or you can download it from the link below.

Contribute to citizen science by helping us create a time lapse of this mysterious site.

Request a ranger to give your family or group a chance to engage in activities not otherwise available in our park.

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!