Events in Virginia State Parks

James River State Park is a designated International Dark Sky park.

Discover how Virginia’s watersheds shape our communities by stopping by the Evergreen Soil and Water Conservation Tabletop Display throughout the day.

The story of a man who built himself into a leader through sheer discipline, sharp intellect, and a refusal to do anything halfway, this program follows Andrew Humphreys from his early years as a driven young engineer to his rise as one of the most respected officers in the Union Army.

Do you want to witness the art of Gyotaku fish printing, an ancient craft where you can create your own fish masterpiece?

Spring is in the air; this is prime time for bird watching!

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

Westmoreland State Park is a special place known for rare and common fossils, including the most desirable and sought after - shark teeth you can find along our shoreline.

Did you know Raccoons can remember solutions to tasks and have “hands” like ours?

Come join our Rangers in celebrating the Highland Maple Festival!

Make them this morning, use them tonight.

Walk through history by touring Sky Meadows' historic Mount Bleak House.

Frogs calling are a true sign of spring.   Frogs and toads rely on water from places like ponds and wetlands to lay their eggs, and many species never stray far from a body of water.

What's under that rock?

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.

Come join us for Women's History Month to learn about the historical figures who helped shape the Widewater Peninsula.  Margaret Brent - English colonist, Catholic landowner, attorney - An unmarried woman who moved to the colonies, and stayed unwed, was strange enough.

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.

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.

What's a benthic organism and how do they survive in the creek?

Learn the essentials of basic target archery, a skill that, thanks to artifacts found at the park, we know humans have been practicing here for thousands of years.

Ever heard of a seed bomb?

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.

Where do our amphibians and reptiles live?

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets of the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

With the park's miles of woodland trails and grassy expanses, you’re sure to see some of the mushrooms that are native to this part of the east coast year-round.  Join us for a basic introduction to fungi in our Visitors Center Discovery Room, then come with us on a short hike to see what fungi we can discover.

This is a “casting” call for miniatures enthusiasts and historic craft fans!

Basket weaving has been an important craft for thousands of years. Stop by our campfire to learn about the history of weaving in the area, as well as how to harvest and weave Japanese honeysuckle (and other invasive plants).

Enjoy a naturalist-led hike learning all about what's blooming and growing around you.  This easy hike will take visitors through our park's deciduous woodlands along the river granting an opportunity to see some of the New River’s native wildflowers and trees in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet! Please wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring plenty of water and snacks.

Come join our Rangers in celebrating the Highland Maple Festival!

“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. Meet at the Visitor Center before the hike.

Join us on World Water Day for a Hungry Mother Lake clean-up.

Ever wonder where rainwater goes after it hits the ground?

Join us to test the quality of the water in Stock Creek.

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.

Spring brings about lots of change in our natural world.

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).

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

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

Spring brings about lots of change in our natural world.

"Beavers:  Nature's Engineers" examines the characteristics and habits of North America's largest rodent.  Learn about how beavers alter the environment more than any other creature except humans.  Find out how beavers contributed to the westward expansion as settlers arrived in the New World.  Following a short lecture about the beaver and a few "local stories", a beautiful movie will follow the life of a pair of beaver's lives throughout a year-long period.  Various items, including a beaver skull, pelt, and examples of wood cuttings, will be displayed.  A special gift will be given to all children who attend the program.

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.

Unsure or unable to participate in walks over uneven forested terrain but have a desire to know nature better?

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

While we sleep a whole new set of nocturnal animals come out to begin their "daily" activities.

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets of the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

Leave No Trace principles not only apply to you, but also your dog.

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

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

Time to polish your beginner or advanced identification skills for the local fauna of Virginia.

Did you know Raccoons can remember solutions to tasks and have “hands” like ours?

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.

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets of the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

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

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

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

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

Come join the party!

Start off your weekend off right with s’mores and more! Join our rangers in a welcome campfire at the Outdoor Classroom behind the Discovery Center each Friday this month, where you can learn more about the wildlife and fossils that we have here in our park. Whether you want to learn more about Westmoreland, or you just want to hang out and eat s’mores, you know where to find us! Dress appropriately for the weather on the day of the event and bring water. .

Grab your binoculars and get outside.

Join a volunteer for a guided birding walk throughout the park.

Grab your binoculars and get outside.

The story of a man who lived life on a stage of his own making, this program dives into the sweeping presence of John B.

There’s nothing like the thrill of a first catch—bring your young anglers to reel in a big one at Kids Fishing Day.

Join us for a nature photography program with Samuels Public Library.  We will meet outside the Visitor Center to review tips for photographing spring flowers and wildlife.

Come visit our booth at the Gloucester County 2026 Daffodil festival!

Join a ranger on a volunteer workday!

Long before there was a York River State Park, or even a York River, 6,000 plus years ago, marine creatures swam here in a shallow sea.

There are many stories to tell about Sweet Run State Park.

If you get tired of the hustle and bustle of Downtown Historic Gloucester during the Daffodil Festival, but still want to be enriched in local history, stop by the first Timberneck Open House of the year!

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.

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

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

Stretch your wings on this First Day Hike all about the birds that call Chippokes State park their nest!  Join a Ranger led excursion along College Run Trail to the shoreline of the James River.

Step out on the trail to search for springtime renewal.

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!

Become an owl pellet detective as we dissect the clues an owl leaves behind.

Walk through history by touring Sky Meadows' historic Mount Bleak House.

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 an accessible paved trail to Rock Spring Pond.

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

Children ages 1 to 10 will hop along with the Easter Bunny as they search for elusive candy-filled eggs, some containing prizes.

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

Did you know using sticks on your hike may conserve your energy on treks through all different terrains?

Before leaves return to trees, the sun reaches the forest floor to give early spring flowers energy to pop up!

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

Grab your GPS (or smartphone) and step back in time to celebrate the 93rd anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

Unsure or unable to participate in walks over uneven forested terrain but have a desire to know nature better?

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!

Join our rangers as we complete the new 2026 Junior Ranger Activity Booklet to earn a badge and become a certified Junior Ranger!

Careful hair and skin care routines, and the desire to keep up with fashion trends, might be a characteristic more closely related to the 21st century rather than the 18th century.

Think you’ve got sharp eyes?

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.

Join the rangers on a hunt for three of James River's 14 geocaches.

Join author and photographer Jack Gates for an engaging presentation and book signing celebrating the beauty and history of spring wildflowers in the Eastern Woodlands.

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.

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.

Drawing on years of dog training experience and a passion for our parks, join Ranger Rachel in the pilot program designed to bring training to the trails and help your dog become their best park-ready companion.

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.

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.