Events in Virginia State Parks

Join us as we answer the call of the creek and investigate how the water quality of streams is interconnected with the environmental health of Sky Meadows State Park.

Join us at Douthat State Park for Homeschool Naturalists, a monthly outdoor education series designed for homeschool students of all ages.

Explore the fascinating animals of the Shenandoah Valley through an interactive display of animal artifacts from authentic furs, scaly sheds, and skull replicas.

Use your detective skills to piece together the stories that animals, including humans, have left behind.

Spring brings about lots of change in our natural world.

Join us at Sky Meadows State Park for a hands-on clinic designed to get you started in your journey as an angler.

Pop on your bright eyes and bushy tails and explore a trail through the eyes of a squirrel.

Come explore nature's amazing spring happenings through the Powhatan Library's new educational series: Nature Days!

Meet with a ranger and go on a guided hike along the Lakeshore Trail (0.81mi.).

Just as caterpillars grow and change, our Caterpillar Club programs are designed to help your little one grow and change.

Come have a 'turtle-ly' awesome Thursday.

Did you know that opossums roamed the earth with the dinosaurs and have “hands” like ours, but on their hind legs? Wonder what other secrets these critters hold? Join us to discover little known facts about these amazing animals and how they benefit humans.

Discover the “bear facts” about Fairy Stone State Park’s black bears at our ranger-led program. Learn about their characteristics, habits, how to avoid conflicts, and much more.

Meet with a ranger and go on a one-mile guided hike along the Oak Hickory Trail, rated as a moderate hike.

If you're curious about trees, satisfy your curiosity on this Arbor Adventure!  Join a ranger on Chippoax Trace Trail to identify Chippokes' fauna, specifically trees.  This trail takes visitors from rolling farm fields, into canopied woodlands, and to a worthwhile scenic view of the beautiful salt marshes of Chippokes.

Got a little explorer who’s beyond crawling, but isn’t ready to hike with the Kindergarten siblings?  The Tyke Hike is the perfect fit for little legs.  The hikes are less than a mile and mostly stroller friendly.  The ranger will help your little one discover neat things in nature in this one hour adventure.

From the small eastern screech owl to the great horned owl, eight species of owls call Virginia home part or all of the year.   Get a glimpse into the mysterious world of our elusive nocturnal raptors.

Step back in time and explore the rich history of Sky Meadows State Park on a guided walking tour of its historic grounds.

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

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.

Let your creativity flow at our Creation Station, where you can create your favorite animal mask, opossum puppet, turkey, butterfly, or batteau craft.

Meet Gertie and Birdie, our Educational Ambassadors, and interact with our knowledgeable rangers while they care for these beloved critters.

Did you know that coyotes are not naturally native to Virginia?

Ever wondered how a beaver’s fur keeps it warm and dry, or how a white-tailed deer communicates within its herd?

Did you know there was once a thriving "boom town" located where our lake is today?

Let us keep the kids entertained while the adults set up or take a break from setting up and stop by for a quick craft; discussion of Belle Isle's history; or a lesson on critters.

Venom?

Take a closer look at the world around you through nature journaling.

Come join the party!

Explore an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night!

Start off your weekend off right with s’mores and more!

Who-who-whooooo's calling?

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

Join us for a rewarding morning of gardening with fellow plant lovers.

Celebrate the beauty of spring at Shenandoah River State Park!  Each spring, Virginia Bluebells blossom along our winding riverbank, creating a beautiful carpet of blue and purple hues.

Join professional outdoor instructor Tim MacWelch to learn about the remarkable springtime wild edible and medicinal plants of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Join us in discovering the hidden wonders of these temporary seasonal wetlands.

Who’s singing in the treetops this spring?

Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.

Did you get fooled on April 1st?

Blink and you might miss them—spring’s wildflowers don’t stick around for long!

Join a ranger in painting your very own Easter rocks to add to your Easter decorations! While you’re here, learn about the rock cycle and how it plays an important role in finding fossils at our park! .

The Virginia Bluebell serves as a reminder of the resilience of nature and the importance of preserving native species.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners from decades gone by.

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

It's time for a tail waggin' good time!

We want you to find your way in the wilderness!

As spring unfolds at Natural Tunnel State Park, the forest floor begins to come to life with the vibrant colors that Mother Nature offers.

Celebrate springtime with outdoor games, crafts, and fun including photo opportunities and prizes.

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

Create your own beach-inspired sculpture using an assortment of seashells.

Embark on a journey into the enchanting world of vernal pools.

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

Happy spring!

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.

Step into the shoes of a 19th-century farmer and help care for our heritage breed chickens and goats!

This archery session for beginners and provides shooting time for the more experienced. It begins with instruction time on archery equipment, technique, and safety.

Step inside the Discovery Center to learn from a park ranger about local wildlife, the park's history, and the New River! All ages welcome.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the interactions between a predator population of coyotes and a prey population of deer in a forest. This program is suitable for all ages.

Take your first shot at archery in this beginner-friendly workshop.

Westmoreland State Park is home to four different ambassador animals: Reba the corn snake, Stevie the king snake, and two red-eared sliders, Venus and Jennika.

There's something happening in White Oak Swamp, Beavers!

With warmer wetter weather comes springtime fungi!

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.(The Roaming Ranger will be at Woodstock Pond).

Spring has sprung, and there is no better place to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather than at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Bring your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to the park to be Mustard Busters! We’ll kick things off with a short introduction to why garlic mustard is harmful to our local ecosystem and how to remove it.

Join Master Gardener Linda Marchisello for an engaging presentation exploring the history and culinary uses of herbs.

Come out for a guided hike to the historic bridge and earthworks here at Staunton River Battlefield State Park!

Explore the Chesapeake Bay through the animals that live in it!

Foxes have long been represented as tricksters, and they may have even tricked you!

The Friends of Chippokes, park staff, and volunteers welcome one and all to our annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Murders over moonshine rocked the town of Fayerdale in the 1920s and 30s, leaving a dying town remembered for tragedy rather than the mining operations that once made it a boom town. Moonshining (illegal whiskey making) was quite prevalent in and around the Fairy Stone State Park area in the early 1900s. Jealousy, greed, and competition often led to feuds, brawls, and even killings.

Ever wondered what stories Douthat State Park holds?

Just because we don’t always spot them, we know the animals are around by the tracks and traces they leave behind.

Eggs come in a range of colors and sizes and not just during Easter.

Join us as we answer the call of the creek and investigate how the water quality of streams is interconnected with the environmental health of Sky Meadows State Park.

Trees have magical qualities that provide us with many important everyday items, as well as a large portion of the oxygen we breathe.

While most humans are used to working a 9-5, beavers prefer the night shift.

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

Join astronomy volunteers as they share the stories written in the night sky.

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.

Can you find all the Easter rocks?

After the iron industry moved away from the area, residents of Fayerdale went from mining to 'shining.

Eggs play an important role in the lives of many animals in Mason Neck. Stop by the visitor center upon arrival to pick up clues and lead yourself on an egg-themed scavenger hunt throughout surrounding areas in the park.

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

Discover what makes First Landing’s iconic Bald Cypress so extraordinary.

This classic campground activity is perfect for spring renewal.

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

Geocaching combines Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with nature to provide adventure for treasure hunters all over the world.

Want to save the bees, butterflies, birds, and more?  Just plant native!  Even the smallest pollinator-friendly patch will make a difference.  At our pollinator garden workshop, you'll learn everything you need to know to get started and receive a planning packet to help create your own pollinator habitat at home.

Give your outdoor skills a boost and learn how to build a warm and cozy campfire during this hands-on workshop. Learn about fire safety, types of fires, and what materials to use when making s'mores at your next campout.

Head over to the historic “Wash House” to uncover the many stories behind this unique historic structure.

Discover the timeless art of pine needle basket weaving and unlock your creativity with this hands-on workshop.

When a tree falls in the forest, what happens next?

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.

Calling all birders and nature enthusiasts. Birding and wildlife viewing are hobbies enjoyed by enthusiasts around the world.

The Green Arrow?

April showers bring May flowers.  For the month of April, homeschoolers will learn about the water cycle, water pollution, and how it affects us and the environment.

Explore the fascinating animals of the Shenandoah Valley through an interactive display of animal artifacts from authentic furs, scaly sheds, and skull replicas.