What's happening this month in Virginia State Parks
July
Happy Independence Day! In addition to this national holiday, the whole month of July offers fun activities for people of all ages. We’ve got camps for kids, conservation events, cave tours and opportunities to explore the night sky. Do not miss the many upcoming concerts! Everyone can find something to enjoy in a state park this month.
Events sampler:
July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2024. 11:30-12:30 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Douthat State Park is home to many mammals including black bears. Curious about these illusive creatures? If so, join us to learn about black bears and how you can safely enjoy the view from a distance, if you're lucky enough to spot one in nature.
July 5 & 6, 2024. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park
Join us at Prince Edward Lake, the site of historic Prince Edward State Park, in celebration of freedom. "The lake" will come alive again for this event with music, food, walk for freedom, and guest speakers, including the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" Dr. Opal Lee.
July 13, 2024. 9 a.m.-3p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park
The Carolinas Chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club International will hold a motor running meet. Claytor Lake has boating and outboard racing history going back to at least the early 1940s. Buy, sell, trade and show old outboards and boats.
July 13, 2024. 1-4 p.m.
Chippokes State Park
The Virginia Master Naturalist Historic Southside Chapter will be hosting a guided hike and workshop experience for all experience-levels to attend and enjoy.
July 20, 2024. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Natural Tunnel State Park
The park and Norfolk Southern Railroad are partnering together to provide a program that will touch upon railroad history and promote railroad safety. Stop by Carter Cabin to hear about the history of the cabin and stories about the area over the past 200 years. For this event only, a waiver has been obtained that will allow visitors to explore the tunnel starting at 10 a.m.
July 20, 2024. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sky Meadows State Park
Join professional outdoor instructor Tim MacWelch to learn about the remarkable summertime wild edible and medicinal plants of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This full-day hike will cover native and non-native species of useful plants and will conclude with a sampling of the foods you gathered from the wild.
July 20, 2024. 1-4 p.m.
Southwest Virginia Museum State Park
The July Prowl the Powell nature series will be Mushrooms and More. Participants will join park rangers and Virginia Master Naturalists on a walk along the Powell River in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Learn about mushrooms and all those mysterious things that you see in the woods and in your lawns, that might be mushrooms, or might not.
July 21, 2024. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Caledon State Park
Dig fossils and shipwrecks? Take a guided kayak tour to explore the remnants of the historic World War I vessel that washed up on the lower Potomac decades ago. Then paddle on a fossil finding adventure as we scour Caledon's shoreline for clues to the past. We'll ride down to the beach and learn about the shipwreck history of Boyd's Hole, then head upriver in search of shark teeth.
July 18 & 25, 2024. 1-3 p.m.
New River Trail State Park
oin us as we open the doors to the old Norfolk and Western caboose 518517. Look inside a 1960's rail car and learn what it was like to live on the rail and run a train. The caboose at Foster Falls is in original condition and offers an authentic view of railroad life from the late 1960's into the mid 1980's when the caboose was retired.
July 4th Events
July 4, 2024. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.
Wilderness Road State Park
The Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence, leaving ties to the English crown in ruin and the North American colonies in an open state of rebellion. Join Captain Martin as he examines his copy of the declaration and determines how the actions of those in Congress will impact the lives of those settled on the frontier.
July 4, 2024. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
New River Trail State Park
Bring the family by the Discovery Center to play fun field games! This is a drop-in program so stop by anytime from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Here is just some of the fun to expect - Cornhole; Colonial Games: Game of Graces, jacks; Scottish Games: tug of war, shot put, caber toss; Native American Games: atl atl, idol game; Appalachian Games: fishing game.
Here is just some of the fun to expect - Cornhole; Colonial Games: Game of Graces, jacks; Scottish Games: tug of war, shot put, caber toss; Native American Games: atl atl, idol game; Appalachian Games: fishing game.
July 4, 2024.
Hungry Mother State Park
Join us for a full day of fun activities including a watermelon seed spitting contest, homemade ice cream abd a luminary campfire.
July 4, 2024. 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park
It is July 4th and we are bringing the BLING! Join a ranger to make your own unique beaded bracelet or necklace to wear to holiday outings and learn about this special American holiday.
July 4, 2024. 12-3 p.m.
Grayson Highlands State Park
Bring the family out to the Campground Field and join us for an afternoon of games. Compete in a friendly game of Cornhole against the rangers, play volleyball with your friends, or throw a ball or Frisbee until your hearts content. Then join us for a parade later on in the evening.
July 4, 2024. 5:30-7 p.m.
New River Trail State Park
The cycling route is a 12-mile out-and-back ride suitable for all skill levels, taking about 1.5 hours to complete. The Fincastle Resolutions, adopted on January 20, 1775, by thirteen elected representatives of Fincastle County in the Colony of Virginia, were a precursor to the Declaration of Independence. This 4th of July, ride through a bit of history.
July 5, 2024. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Natural Bridge State Park
July 5th, 2024 marks 250 years since Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Natural Bridge, setting the stage for the Bridge to be preserved in its natural state for all to experience. Join park rangers, local officials, historians and other guests as they share what this day meant for the Natural Bridge, for a young Thomas Jefferson just two years before the American Revolution, and what it means for its future.
July 5, 2024. 9-11 p.m.
Natural Bridge State Park
Are you looking for a light show without the fireworks this Independence Day weekend? Join park rangers for an exploration of our night sky at this International Dark Sky Park. Pick out constellations, observe planets and nebula through a telescope, and take in the silhouette of the star-lit Blue Ridge Mountains.
