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.

Our park is known for its biodiversity and is home to many species of birds.

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

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

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.

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.

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

Paddling a kayak gives you a new perspective of the world.

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.

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.

Look up and learn about tree diversity in the park!

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

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

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

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.

Step into nature, cast your line, and learn the art of fishing alongside one of our knowledgeable park rangers!

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.

How do you tell trees apart? Join us for a scenic hike from the Howe House to the beach as we learn how to identify some of our common native trees using our handheld identification sheets.

Stop by for a sneak peek into the developing Virginia State Park's B.A.R.K Ranger program and upcoming dog focused events at Belle Isle.

Do we have bears around here?

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.

What is paracord, and what is it used for?

Kick of the Memorial Day weekend with a Friday Night Campfire!

Spending the weekend camping at Lake Anna State Park?

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!

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

Come take a walk with us to search for some of the park's most elusive night-time predators: owls! As we walk along under the quiet cover of darkness, we'll listen for their haunting voices as they cry out across the landscape.

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

Grab your binoculars and get outside.

Grab your binoculars and go birding.

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

Kayak season is here!

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

Join a Ranger for an unplugged hike that leaves technology behind and replaces it with tools that you create with!

The Timberneck House got a new paint job last year!

Art in the Park programs explore connections between art and the natural world through a different hands-on project each month.  May's program is Nature Painting.

Explore the rich natural history of trees guided by a Virginia Master Naturalist.

Experience the bald eagle soaring wild and free over the Potomac River.

Discover how water helped families and communities survive in the past and how we care for and protect these vital resources today.

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.

Have you ever wondered what a plant would sound like if it could speak or play music?

Want to become a citizen scientist for the day?

Calling all budding detectives.

Think opossums are just pesky critters?

Have you ever wondered what flowers are blooming around us?

Keep an eye out for the Roving Ranger who will be walking around the picnic area with either a game, furs, or one of our wildlife ambassadors.

Chippokes State Park welcomes visitors to accompany an interpretive guide on a very unique historical building tour experience to explore one of the oldest dwellings on property.

You never know what critters you will see around Belle Isle, there's dozens to pick from.

This World Turtle Day uncover the fascinating world of turtles from their habitats, behaviors, and the challenges they face in the wild.

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

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.

Celebrate the vibrant musical heritage of Southwest Virginia!

From turtle shells to insect exoskeletons, many different species have built-in armor to protect them from predators. This program will explore the different types of animal armor, the different parts of their armor, and the species that utilize it.  This program will be held in the Visitor Center.

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

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

What's under that rock?

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

Join us in paying homage to 70,000 years of history and human tradition as we learn the sport of Archery.

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

Who made those footprints?

Looking for a family friendly way to kick off your summer fun?

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.

Eagle, Osprey, and Owls, oh my!

Join us for an opportunity to get "a-head" on wildlife knowledge and learn to identify skulls based upon their characteristics.

Happy World Turtle Day!

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

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.

Visit a Ranger at Massie Gap and learn about bear safety: how to store food, what to do when you come across a bear hiking, camping in bear country, and more.

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

Create a recycled flowerpot out of newspaper that you can place right in the ground with native flower seeds.

Take a guided hike to several views of the park’s streams and Gordon Pond.

The Friends of Twin Lakes State Park is hosting its fourth annual 'shellebration' of World Turtle Day® with the following activities: turtle-themed games and face painting, a 'shellfie' station (with wearable turtle shells!), a turtle-themed craft, and visits from turtle experts with live turtles, as well as the beloved local 'shellebrity' Ranger Myrtle the turtle.

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.

The trash and litter we leave behind can hurt the environment.

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

How well do you know the park's ambassador animal, James the mud turtle? This tiny rescued turtle's aquatic home is located at the Park Office.

Did you know you can identify some turtles just by looking at their shells?

Ready to explore the forest in its full summer glory?

Celebrate Memorial Day with us by decorating your own star just like the ones on our nation's flag.

Join our rangers for a look at the skins and skulls of animals you can find in Hayfields.

Beat the heat at our River Bend Discovery Center!

Slime is survival.

Join us on a ranger-led hike to certify your canine companion as a New River Trail State Park B.A.R.K Ranger!    The B.A.R.K.

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.

Join our volunteer John Duncan on a short stroll and tour of the historic Howe House as we discuss how the park came to be.

Join us as we continue to pay homage to 70,000 years of history and human tradition as we practice the sport of Archery.

Have you ever wondered how snakes can swallow something as big as their own heads?

Take some time to get out of the hot sun and join our park nature interpreter under the tent for some fun crafts.

Are all snakes venomous?

Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?

Art or Trash?

Ever wondered what stories Douthat State Park holds?