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.

Experience life in the early 19th century with live music, blacksmiths, cooking, period camp, boats, and much more. This event will focus on two important parts of history from this area that had a profound influence on transportation and music in America: “batteaux and banjos.” See what it was like to live in the middle of the 19th century.

Explore historic Prince Edward Lake on this guided canoe tour led by rangers.

Visit the park’s discovery center (formerly known as The Spot, the interior portion of the concession stand) to check out the park’s new display celebrating its civil rights history.

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.

From woodlands to wetlands, fields and pastures, let's investigate the plants, animals and history of farming at Sky Meadows State Park.

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

Explore plants, both native and introduced, with two Virginia Master Naturalists and Native Plant Society members.

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.

 What was a typical day like on the farm in the 1840’s.

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.  .

Join a Park Ranger at Clinch River State Park for a hike on scenic Sugar Hill.

What is the oldest way of cooking?

It's Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day!

Overlooking the New River, the Shot Tower was built in the 1800s to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers.

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.

The forge is fired up and the blacksmiths are hard at work showing off their skills.

Enjoy a scenic guided walk along the New River Trail. This easy one-mile round trip tour will take visitors outside one of the oldest mining operations in North America, the Austinville lead mines.

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 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.

During this one-mile trek, a ranger will guide you through this journey through time on Goodwin Lake Trail. Goodwin Lake Trail is rated easy but does have a few areas that may make the trail unsuitable for those with moderate to severe mobility issues.

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.

From the Colonial Era thru today, black watermen have been a part of the Chesapeake Bay seafood industry in all levels.  Discover the communities built on harvesting fish and shellfish giving African Americans financial freedom even in the Jim Crow years.  Even today, we can help improve the bay so that everyone can enjoy it’s beauty and bounty.

What is the oldest way of cooking?

Go back in time to the historic village of Foster Falls.

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

What is a gundalow?  A gundalow was a long wooden flatboat that was used to haul merchandise down the Shenandoah River.

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.

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

Participants who are interested in the Prowl the Powell nature series should meet volunteers and park staff at the front gate of the museum.

Did you know that Shenandoah County wasn't always called Shenandoah County?

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.

Join us by the campfire for s’mores as April Martin from the Wilderness Road Regional Museum talks about the early history of our mountains.

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.

Nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sky Meadows' campground provides you with a fantastic place to enjoy peaceful rejuvenation, but how much do you know about this wonderful park?

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.

The Visitor Center at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park offers a museum filled with treasured artifacts discovered over the years where the last major fight of the American Civil War in Virginia occurred on April 6, 1865.

Tours of the Hillsman House, a National Historic Landmark, are available to the public by request.

A Self-Guided Driving Tour of Sailor's Creek Battlefield is available to visitors year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield offers six, self-guided Hiking Trails with historic markers for the public to explore year round during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).

Pick up the Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center to begin this self-guided program.

Pick up this Ranger Quest guide at the Visitor Center to begin this self-guided program.

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.

Find out what it takes to be a ranger at Sky Meadows State Park.

A new discovery awaits your family with Sky Meadows' Discovery Backpacks.

Experience geocaching at Sky Meadows State Park with three park-themed caches.

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

We have some exciting self-guided activities launching this year; whether it's kayaking the New River, enjoying an audio tour, or becoming a Junior Ranger, there's something for everyone. Here is a list of what is available: Geocaching: This is a fun way to merge technology and outdoor exploration.

As you explore the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and the surrounding area, discover what makes this building so unique as well as what was commonly used on the frontier for survival during the 18th Century.

Enjoy a self-guided tour as you walk down to see the Natural Tunnel.

Are you looking for a great activity for the kids that is both fun and educational?

Schedule some fun at New River Trail State Park!

Throughout the year various constellations appear in the night sky.

Stop by the Discovery Center and go inside to grab a booklet that will take you and your kids on adventure through time in Hungry Mother State Park.

Stop by Hungry Mother's Discovery Center and ask front desk about our Park Packs.