Events in Virginia State Parks

Happy spring!

What is paracord, and what is it used for?

Take a relaxing stroll along our lake shore as you visit several lights that have been placed in or along the lake to attract critters of all sizes.

Help support the park you love.

Volunteer your time this Earth Day with a shoreline cleanup at our park. Learn about how pollution can spread in an aquatic environment and help us protect ourselves and our wildlife.

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

Help us celebrate our planet with some special Earth Day programs: Friday, April 24: 3 p.m. - Tree Identification Hike @ the Howe House  Join us for a scenic hike around the historical Howe House and learn how to identify some of our native trees.

Come celebrate Arbor Day with us! Join our rangers for a scenic hike from the Howe House to the beach as we learn how to identify some of our common native trees using our handheld identification sheets.

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Join our rangers as we complete the new 2026 Junior Ranger Activity Booklet to earn a badge and become a certified Junior Ranger!

Join the rangers for a fun tree craft!

Learn about how pollution can spread in an aquatic environment and help us protect ourselves and our wildlife by cleaning up our shoreline.

Can you match the skull to its pelt?

Join us on a real or virtual hike through Claytor Lake State Park as we take a closer look at some of the beautiful native trees.

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.

Stop by the fishing area behind Howe House to check out our EnChroma color blind scenic viewer.

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

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

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.

Groups or individuals can adopt a section of a trail or a trail within our 7-mile park trail system.

Request a ranger to give your family or group a chance to get a more personalized experience at Claytor Lake State Park.

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

At one time, the New River marked the westernmost edge of the backcountry frontier.