Events in Virginia State Parks

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is now accepting entries for the “Stitch in Time” Quilt Show.

The Eta Aquarids is an above average meteor shower capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.

Do you feel safer walking with a friend?

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

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

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

Beat the heat at our River Bend Discovery Center!

Stop by and investigate the variety of flora and fauna found around Smith Mountain Lake.

Second only to humans in the ability to change their environment to fit their needs, learn just how smart a beaver can be.

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.

Fly through the gardens of Twins Lakes State Park on your quest to find resources and claim your flower before it's gone! Join us for this "musical chairs" based program competing to keep your resources before habitat loss ensues.

Step into the shoes of an archaeologist and uncover the secrets of an owl’s diet!

Cape Henry Lighthouse joins First Landing State Park to bring history to you.

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

Did you know owls get 'hairballs?' About once a day, an owl spits up a ball of hair and bones called an owl pellet which is actually the 'leftovers' from their most recent meals.

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

Do you enjoy coffee, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables?

Our Friends Group is an organization of citizens who support our park's operations, events, and material needs through fund raising.

Ever wonder what goes on at night in a park?

Step into the quiet, mysterious woods of Douthat State Park after dark for an unforgettable experience.

Shine a light on days gone by with a lantern-lit history tour of the Natural Bridge.

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

You're invited to stop by the Education Station any Friday and Saturday to explore, ask questions and learn something new!

We are kicking off the summer season at the Education Station with a weekend of Backyard Bass!

Join us for the official grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration of the Breaking Point Disc Golf Course at Occoneechee State Park, the third disc golf course in the entire park system!  This 18-hole course is designed for players of all skill levels, from first timers to seasoned competitors.  Crafted by professional disc golfer Matt Bell, the course offers a fun, scenic and challenging experience that highlights the natural beauty of the park.  Celebrate with us as we open this exciting new recreational feature to the public.

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.

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

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

Ever wonder what the fish are doing when they dive deep under water?

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

New River Trail State Park has partnered with Mount Rogers Community Services to offer Wellness in Nature: Rooted in Wellness.

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.

Trek the path many settlers walked and discover what life was like back when the legend was formed.

Create a hand-made, nature-inspired souvenir to take home.

Look up and learn about tree diversity in the park!

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

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

Can you guess what critter I am?

What track is that?

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

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

Come meet and greet Ranger Myrtle (our Red-Eared Slider turtle), Ranger Scout (our Western Hognose snake), and Ranger Brutus (our Copperhead snake) to discover what makes these rangers so special to Twin Lakes State Park.  Parks are for everyone.

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

We can tell a great deal about an animal’s adaptations by looking at their skins and skulls.

Dive into the history of the Occaneechi Tribe that once called Occoneechee State Park home.

Come say hello to Ranger Shelly, our red-eared slider and local shellebrity. Join us at the beach as she enjoys some sunshine and enrichment time.

Join a ranger to learn about the wild animals found at Belle Isle State Park that delight your senses.

Do we have bears around here?

Are you predator or prey?

In Virginia, a lot of pre-contact Indigenous history was obscured by colonization.

Who made those footprints?

Expand your survival skills by learning how to build a fire!

Keep an eye out around the campgrounds before the welcome campfire for a ranger carrying a fascinating historical or natural item from the park.

Ever wondered what critters are crawling beneath the surface of a stream? Join us on a fun adventure as we search the stream for interesting, tiny critters: freshwater invertebrates.

Twilight Paddle Adventures are a great way to spend an evening away from the hustle and bustle of work, traffic and the cares of life.

Everyone has heard of dancing in the moonlight, but what about kayaking?

Enjoy the beautiful park setting as you are entertained by some of our very own local musicians.

Join your fellow campers to hear about all of the different trails and activities the park has to offer and discover the history of the park. This is a great chance to ask questions about the park, local activities in the area, and future events at Fairy Stone State Park.

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

Come join the party!

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

Enjoy a beautiful moonlight paddle on the lower Potomac River.

Join us at the Community Fire Ring to relax, enjoy a roasted marshmallow, and get to know your camping neighbors.

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

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

Start your weekend off at the Twin Lakes State Park Welcome Campfire program, where you'll be invited to take part in classic campfire games, hear about the weekend's activities, and familiarize yourself with the park and its rangers.

Welcome to the park!

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

Join us for a day of competitive fly fishing on one of Virginia's most scenic waterways!

Join local birder and Woodstock resident Kirk Andrews, on a Saturday morning bird walk.

Are you ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city?

Ready to learn the ins and outs of stand up paddleboarding?

This program marks each hour with the spoken name of a person who died at Sailor’s Creek.

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

Take a hike with a park ranger and fellow nature-enthusiasts through the park's beautiful forests and meadows!

We are kicking off the summer season at the Education Station with a weekend of Backyard Bass!

Join Virginia Master Naturalist Dr.

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

Join us as we help spruce up and enhance the Fairy Stone Hunt Site.

Calling all budding detectives.

Think opossums are just pesky critters?

Take aim and let your arrow (and confidence) fly.

Paddle the lower Potomac River on a fossil finding adventure! Millions of years ago, Virginia was covered in a shallow sea that was teeming with life, leaving behind prolific fossil beds.

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

Join a ranger to learn about meteorological vs.

Find out what lurks below the surface of the swamp in this fun dip-netting adventure!

Observe nature as a naturalist with our Lake Anna State Park scavenger hunt!

Join a ranger led tour to reveal what the landscape of Cedar Creek is trying to tell you.

Leaf your worries behind and tree-t yourself to a ranger-led hike that shows how trees are everything but still!   We will be hiking ~0.5 miles down a stroller friendly paved trail to Rock Spring Pond.

Keep your eyes on the skies and come along as we dive into the art of bird journaling and discover fascinating facts about your favorite feathered friends.

What will we scoop up this time?

Hear the tale of star-crossed lovers that the trail is named after and view the tunnel from above.

Explore the history of the Occoneechee Plantation on this one-mile guided hike around the Plantation Trail.

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

Discover the vital role butterflies play in our ecosystem and the remarkable journey they undertake from egg to winged adult.

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.

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

How many fish can you catch?