Events in Virginia State Parks

Self-Guided Activity  New River Trail State Park has more than 127 bird species; you're sure to see waterfowl, songbirds, and the occasional Bald Eagle and Osprey.

Join the park (and the world) in participating in the 28th annual Great Backyard Bird Count held Friday, February 13, through Monday, February 16, 2026.

Self-Guided Activity  James River State Park has a wide variety of bird species; you're sure to see waterfowl, songbirds, and the occasional Bald Eagle and Osprey.

Self-Guided Activity  James River State Park has over 186 bird species; you're sure to see waterfowl, songbirds, and the occasional Bald Eagle and Osprey.

Join us this cool February to witness the vibrant colors of soaring birds amongst the snowy landscape.

It is time to search for even more birds!

The park is proud to be a part of this annual birdwatching event by providing a place for you to participate.

Sweet Run may not be the first place that comes to mind for a backyard bird count, but this land has supported an active community of farmsteads and residences since the 1840s.

The Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a volunteer organization of interested citizens who actively support the park. The group works on behalf of the park by assisting in daily programs, special events, fund raising, and public education. The partnership provides a mechanism to use the skills, contacts, and resources of private citizens and businesses to improve services that may not otherwise be available.

"A track is a window to the past of an animal.

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.

Join us for a special night hike through False Cape State Park.

Help support the park you love.

The Friends of Powhatan State Park is a group made up of citizen volunteers from Virginia’s Piedmont region who are passionate about supporting the park’s mission.

This program is designed to introduce young participants to the wonders of the natural world and foster an appreciation for the environment.

"A track is a window to the past of an animal.

The Senior Ranger series is geared towards senior citizens who are interested in learning more about nature, outdoor skills, and history.

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

Join a ranger to learn about science, history, and nature at Leesylvania State Park!

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.

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 Friday afternoons be filled with natural  and historical wonders.  Join us for a closer look at some of the interesting things about our ecosystem and region.

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

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

Have you ever seen or heard an actual owl call in the night?

"As long as a live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing." -- John Muir Widewater State Park is pleased to offer Bird Walks from November 2025 thru March 2026!  Join an experienced birder on an exploration of our incredibly diverse park throughout the cooler months.

Join our Rangers and Volunteers in keeping our beach free of litter!

Find out which reptiles and amphibians call First Landing home! Located within the trail center, the Discovery Room is welcome to all ages.

Start your weekend with fresh air, beautiful scenery, camaraderie, and a feeling of accomplishment.

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Think opossums are just pesky critters?

If you enjoy fly fishing or plan to try it someday, consider learning to tie your own flies.  Considered a hobby on its own by many, tying flies is both an art and a science.  Our Fly Tying Workshop will teach you the fundamentals of the craft and walk you through creating at least one fly to take home.  The workshop is free but advanced sign up is required.  All equipment and materials are provided by Trout Unlimited.   SIGN UP HERE.

Join us for a guided Winter Discovery Hike along the Buck Lick Trail and experience the quiet beauty of the forest in its cold-weather stillness.

Join us at Occoneechee State Park for a Ranger- led hike through the Beaver Pond Trail.

Join one of Mason Neck's interpreters along the Bay View Trail to discover the rich history of Mason Neck State Park. This program explores the changing relationships between people and the land, from early river-based communities and agricultural use to modern conservation efforts that preserve wildlife habitat and open space.

We let the dogs in! Stop by the Visitor Center during a special visiting hour and learn to follow the B.A.R.K Ranger principles, complete a paw-friendly activity, and take the pledge.

Did you know if Americans recycled one-tenth of their newspapers it would save 25 million trees a year?

Have you ever wanted to identify the different birds in your yard or even start bird watching as a hobby?  If so, this program is for you.  We'll go over the basics of finding and identifying birds, the basic equipment you might need, as well as some tips to help you make the most of your birding adventures!

Black bears are one of the many incredible mammals that dwell in Douthat State Park.

Practice your detective skills by uncovering snakes hidden in images of their habitat, and discover how best to avoid those with venom.

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.

Read a tale as you walk the trail. Begin at the CCC Museum to begin your exploration and story time at your own pace.

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 popular activity gives you the chance to glean the makings of a s'more while enjoying a geocaching adventure.

On April 6, 1865, Lucy Hillsman and Catherine Brown huddled in the farmhouse basement, bracing their children as thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers clashed all around them.

Have you ever found yourself in need of a length of string while out in the wilderness?

Slow down and take in the beauty of the James River and its vibrant landscapes!

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

Ever wondered what a skunk’s fur feels like or how big a bobcat’s skull really is?

Some Invasive species are pretty to look at, but they have a big impact on our native ecosystem.

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

This place, this land, is as old as time itself.

Meet Maverick, our corn snake animal ambassador, as he helps teach us about the hidden world of our scaly friends and the good that they do for our environment.

Happy National Squirrel Day!

Bundle up and join us for a peaceful winter walk as we explore the James River State Park in search of its seasonal birdlife!

Through trail, stone, and timber, the CCC carved a legacy that still shapes Douthat today.

Discover the significant role native plants played in Civil War-era medicine, as both physicians and soldiers relied on them to treat a variety of ailments and injuries.

Have you ever seen a 'timberdoodle' dance in the twilight sky?

Join us for a flexible Stewardship Sunday, offering both self-guided and ranger-led opportunities to lend a hand and give back to Mother Nature.

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

Raccoons, skunks, and opossums often find food in what we discard, but scavenging through garbage has plenty of dangers.

Humans aren't the only ones who build amazing structures.  Insects, birds, and mammals are among the many animals who create complex homes for themselves.  Let's take a look into the world of these master builders of the animal kingdom.

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.

Slow down, observe, and discover what’s happening in the woods.

Take a fascinating hike and discover the rich history of James River State Park, from ancient fossils to the American Civil War and beyond.

On April 6, 1865, Lucy Hillsman and Catherine Brown huddled in the farmhouse basement, bracing their children as thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers clashed all around them.

Dozens of birds and other animals migrate to and from Mason Neck each year, while others hibernate to escape the cold.

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.

Winter offers the best chance of observing the rainbow swamp here at First Landing.

We let the dogs in! Stop by the Visitor Center during a special visiting hour and learn to follow the B.A.R.K Ranger principles, complete a paw-friendly activity, and take the pledge.

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” - John Muir Join our rangers on a guided hike and learn about our native species, park history, and wetland habitat.

Join us for a special Black History Month program at Green Pastures Recreation Area, a park originally built for African Americans during the era of segregation.

Did you know that Westmoreland is one of the six original State Parks in Virginia?

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

 Join your hosts, the directors of Imagine Well Being as you settle into the quiet calm of winter at Sweet Run State Park.

Enjoy a winter birding adventure to discover duck species and habitats.  In less than a mile we will look for waterfowl from a shallow pond, tidal creek, and the river.  Bald eagles are also frequently found in the area.

"A track is a window to the past of an animal.

Witness the amphibian life cycle and see aquatic invertebrates up-close when you join us in this partnership program with our local Central Piedmont Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists (CPVMN).

The Friends of York River State Park is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the mission of the park: We champion the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of York River State Park's estuarine environment.

Meet us at the library in Appomattox where a ranger will read a story about wildlife, and then we will have a snack and do a simple craft together. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

Meet us at the library in Appomattox where a ranger will read a story about wildlife, and then we will have a snack and do a simple craft together. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

"A track is a window to the past of an animal.

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

Rangers from Leesylvania State Park will take your little ones on a nature adventure with reading, games, and crafts.

Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is thrilled to announce the spring semester of the WiseJAMS Music Program!

Calling all Junior Rangers!

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).

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.