Join the Rangers to learn a new skill to help you survive in the wild.

A beloved holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees celebrates its 29th year.

During the Festival of Trees, local organizations are asked to decorate a holiday tree to represent themselves in the community.

Foraging isn't just for animals, but for people too!

Bring your current project, plans or patterns, and work with others doing the same.  If you don’t have a project but would like to contribute, we are looking for some clothing items that we can either wear or display at the park for special events.

Winter Trams at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offer the unique opportunity to observe and experience the incredible migration of waterfowl.

The Visitor Center is home to two freshwater Red-Eared Slider turtles, Jennika and Venus, and it is time for them to eat.

It's feeding time for two of our ambassador reptiles, Stevie the King Snake and Reba the Corn Snake, and we welcome you to attend this demonstration and learn about these snakes as they prepare to feed on a frozen mouse! .

Want to work up an appetite for the big turkey day feast, while helping a worthy cause?

Virginia State Park license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.  Parking fees will be waived on Earth Day (4/22), Arbor Day (4/26), National Kids to Parks Day (5/18), Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day (6/15), Veterans Day (11/11), and #OptOutside Day (11/29) for individuals with a Virginia State Park license plate.

Opt Outside Day  The day after Thanksgiving is often the start of a busy season for many.  Join us to get outside and take in some fresh air.

Take a fascinating hike to learn about the rich history of James River State Park from fossils to the American Civil War.

What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?

Have a specific program you'd like to see?

The rich story of Virginia’s First Peoples has many twists and turns that are steeped in mystery and controversy as their oral histories were scattered by European arrival, leaving the written and published accounts of those same foreigners to be some of the only well-known accounts that remain today.

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.

Come join a park ranger on an after-thanksgiving hike!

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

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

Westmoreland State Park invites you to learn about the different fossil types that you can find here along the shoreline, and why, as you create your very own shark tooth necklace keepsake.

Join a park ranger to walk off that turkey!

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

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the remarkable abilities of bats and the importance of preserving their habitats.

Have a specific program you'd like to see?

Foraging can foster a special connection with the land as well as with fellow foragers.

Need a break from your long trip and have a little fun? Do you like being creative? We have many things to see at our Visitor Center.

Start a new tradition the Friday after Thanksgiving and #OptOutside at False Cape State Park.

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.

While everyone else is out shopping or online this Black Friday, #OptOutside and join us by the campfire.

Join us for a magical and entertaining view of one of our most treasured holidays at the Karlan Mansion.

A beloved holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees celebrates its 29th year.

To kick off this year's Christmas Lighting event the park will provide this one-day special offer that will help those in need in our community.

Winter Trams at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offer the unique opportunity to observe and experience the incredible migration of waterfowl.

Bring your canine companion and join the B.A.R.K.

Would you like to have the chance to explore the trails in Powhatan State Park and meet new people?

Become a steward of nature while building your local community and connecting with the people near you that share a passion for the outdoors. Meet with rangers at the Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center for a short talk about conservation and to get supplies to clean up the trash that washes onto the shoreline or is left and scattered along the trails and recreational areas. Clean-Up days are self-paced, so come clean our shoreline for as much time as you can spare to make a difference at the park.

Paleo art is any art depicting prehistoric life on earth based on the evidence we have.

We don't always see animals, but we know they're there.

During this one-mile trek, a ranger will guide you through this journey through time on Goodwin Lake Trail. Although rated easy, this trail may not be suitable for those with strollers or severe mobility issues.

Come explore the Fairy Stone State Park 3rd Annual Holiday Market during small business Saturday.

Past and present, friends and families have enjoyed getting together for some friendly competition.

Join our costumed interpreters for a demonstration of historical cooking methods in the Jones-Stewart Mansion's original brick kitchen.

Explore the park's expansive wetlands with us as we search for and identify the plants and animals that call this unique habitat their home.

The Visitor Center is home to two freshwater Red-Eared Slider turtles, Jennika and Venus, and it is time for them to eat.

It's feeding time for two of our ambassador reptiles, Stevie the King Snake and Reba the Corn Snake, and we welcome you to attend this demonstration and learn about these snakes as they prepare to feed on a frozen mouse! .

Slither on down and join the Park Ranger for an in depth look into the fascinating lives of some local reptiles.

Model and observe the different stages of a trees life, from seedling to sapling to a mature tree, and discover how important trees are to the life around them.  Parks are for everyone.

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'.

Gain new knowledge on the basics of composting with this DIY workshop all about waste, worms, and what you can do to start reducing trash in your home.

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.

Step back in time as we uncover the mysteries of those at rest in the park's historic cemetery.

Join Pocahontas State Park staff and volunteers in creating seasonal cheer.

Pan for gold in the James River while learning about Virginia’s unique geology, the rocks and minerals of the park, and the magnetic sand on the banks of the river.

This activity is a perfect way to show your thanks for the beauty of nature.

Join a ranger to learn about one of the many birds that call Belle Isle home, the Turkey!

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.

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect 'fairy stone' that everyone is looking for.

Discover how fire was used by Virginia’s First Peoples to fell trees and build canoes, followed by a tasty treat *Pre-registration recommended.

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

We would like to introduce you to “Boxer” the box turtle.

Join the Rangers on a walk down the beach to find all kinds of interesting wildlife and beach artifacts as we explore the Chesapeake Bay!

Colder weather is right around the corner and so are the holidays!

Join the Virginia Peninsula Stargazers as they point out the different items of our solar system in the night sky.  They will have the equipment.  Just bring your curiosity.  This program is dependent on the clarity of the viewing sky on the night it occurs. .

Join us for a magical and entertaining view of one of our most treasured holidays at the Karlan Mansion.

It's that time of year again!

A beloved holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees celebrates its 29th year.

As you ride down on the chairlift and make your way to the tunnel, you will be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and see animated Christmas displays.

When the sun takes its daily dive below the horizon and delivers night time to your doorstep, there’s no rule saying you have to stay in for the evening.

Please Note: This is an entirely indoor astronomy program Join Kim Kenny of the Crewe Observatory as he takes you back in time to Bethlehem to see the night sky as it was during Jesus' lifetime. Using the Holy Bible, computers and cutting-edge astronomy software, you will experience in two hours what the Wise Men saw and the signs in the sky from Jesus' birth to his crucifixion.

Gather with family and friends to take in the starry, moonless sky above the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pick out constellations, observe planets and nebula through a telescope, and enjoy a hot drink with park rangers on a chilly night.

Nature is magic.

Craft a keepsake for the upcoming holiday season.

Join Pocahontas State Park staff and volunteers in creating seasonal cheer.

Come to Widewater and help our Rangers fill our windows with Holiday cheer!

Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop where you'll craft your own adorable pinecone gnomes while discovering the importance of pollinator gardens!

Join us for a magical and entertaining view of one of our most treasured holidays at the Karlan Mansion.

There will be a work day at Seven Bends State Park to plant new maple and oak memorial trees, and maintain the ones already in place.

Winter Trams at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offer the unique opportunity to observe and experience the incredible migration of waterfowl.

Join rangers at the park for a fun nature reading session.

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

The Archery Range opens for the season daily from 8 a.m. until dusk.

Walk through history by touring historic Mount Bleak House.

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).

The Staunton River Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided program that you can enjoy with family and friends.

Pick up the Staunton River State Park bird identification list in the Visitor Center for this self-guided program.

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.

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.

Discover the different habitats Sky Meadows has to offer on our Kids in Park's TRACK Trail!

Stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a copy of a self-guided brochure on the "22 Trees of Virginia Tour." This one-mile hike will take you on an adventure to awe-inspiring overlooks while identifying some of the common trees you may find in your backyard.

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.

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

Request a ranger to give your family or group a chance to engage in activities not otherwise available in our park.