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.

Join Twin Lakes State Park during our celebration of Virginia State Park History and Culture Day.

In observance of Virginia State Park's History and Culture Day on June 15, the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will offer a Civil War Bus Tour.

Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater Peninsula.

Ride with a park guide as we experience Smith Mountain Lake from a boat.

All of the park's original facilities back in the 1930's were built by hand.

Journey to Martin’s Station and immerse yourself on Virginia’s frontier at the beginning of the American Revolution.

Calling all history (and kayak) lovers!   Celebrate Virginia State Park's 88th anniversary with us on a guided kayaking tour!

The land that holds each Virginia State Park has its own story.

Belle Isle became a Virginia State Park in the1990s but this 892-acre property has a long history. Join a ranger on the grounds of the historic Belle Isle Manor House to hear the latest update on the house restoration project and stories of the people who lived and worked the land before it became Belle Isle.

How did Pocahontas State Park come to be? What are the "Original 6" State Parks?

Celebrate the rich history and culture of Virginia's State Parks by diving into the archaeological work that has been done on Mason Neck.

 Celebrate Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day at Holliday Lake State Park!

Two chances to catch gold fever.

 Join park staff, volunteers and  community partners for a series of events celebrating African-American culture, resilience, and joy.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Natural Bridge.

How did African slavery begin in the Virginia Colony and did they seek freedom from their condition?  Did any European indentured servants and Native Americans resist their lot as well?  Walking with us you will discover stories of rebellious conspiracies and courageous runaways and how they overcame the challenging terrain of Tidewater Virginia to elude their oppressors. .

Embrace the history of the upper York River region this weekend from the colonial period to today.  Learn about plots for freedom by indentured servants and enslaved people with the Rebellion & Runaway Walk.  Discover the rise and continued heritage of independent waterfront communities with the Afro American Waterman's Display.  .

It's Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day!

Ride with a park guide as we experience Smith Mountain Lake from a boat.

Learn about the fascinating history of our park, our lake, and the surrounding area.

Travel through time during the 2024 Virginia State Parks History and Culture celebration at First Landing State Park.  Check out a replica artifact touch table, participate in games inspired by the indigenous cultures of Virginia Tribal Nations, and attend guided hikes all to do with the history of the park, CCC, and Cape Henry region.

Surviving as a colonist was drastically different and more complex than the 21st century, but we can still find similarities between them and us.

In 1860, nearly half of Fauquier County's 21,706 residents were enslaved, with fourteen enslaved individuals living at the Mount Bleak Farm.

Spend History and Culture Day at Natural Tunnel State Park and tour a replica of the Anderson Blockhouse as rangers provide information about the history of the building and area.

Spend History and Culture Day with us by stepping back in time to participate in games played in the 18th century.

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.

This Father's Day, explore some of the lineage of the two most famous Civil War generals: Lee and Grant.  Eleven children were born between the two men, Grant with three sons and a daughter, and Lee with three sons and four daughters.  To commemorate Father's Day, learn about the stories that each of these sons had to tell.  Join our historian park rangers as we explore the lives of those children.   This program is FREE to the public and is family friendly.  Please call (804)-561-7510 for more information.  .

Head on over to the park to meet Ranger Parker Redfox, the Virginia State Parks mascot.

Come learn about Palmer Hayden, a renowned Widewater artist who is known for his paintings of everyday life in African-American communities.

Once the smoke cleared, Johnny Reb and Billy Yank would often collapse from exhaustion and set up camp for the night. What did a military camp look like? Was it dangerous to be in camp? Come out for an interactive experience with our rangers as we walk you through the lives of the soldiers from both North and South.

Celebrate the anniversary of Virginia State Parks with a scenic guided walk along the New River.

Historically, trees have provided us with shelter as we've used them to make various structures and enjoyed the warmth they provide as we've built fires from them.

Mystery of History Hike - Interpretive Area.

Join us on a ranger-led wagon ride through history. We will take you on a tour of our beautiful park, stopping at multiple places along the way to interpret the amazing history of Staunton River State Park.

Spend a nice summer's evening sitting around the campfire with storyteller Melanie Smith as she spins tales that span Appalachian culture.

Swing by for a presentation on some of the techniques used by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the construction of Douthat's facilities. Traditional tools that were used to hew logs, split shakes and more will be on display.

In celebration of Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day, False Cape State Park will offer a special night tour to Wash Woods.

On Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day, step back in time as we uncover the mysteries of those at rest in the park's historic cemetery.