Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., now through April 30. Learn more.
What's happening this month in Virginia State Parks
March
As the weather warms up, so does our state parks events calendar. From the emergence of wildlife in our parks to the budding of plants and trees, there’s lots to see on a nature hike. And in the warmer evenings, you can enjoy stargazing in comfort. There’s so much to learn, from tree grafting to hearth cooking. Get outdoors and fly a kite or cast a line.
March Special Events
March 1-21, 2025. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Southwest Virginia Museum State Park
True Art, named in the honor of the Museum's first curator, James True, features the works of today's local artist in a show that celebrates the creativity and talents of our friends and neighbors.
March 2, 2025. 3-4 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
A diverse grouping of women paints a fascinating portrait of life at Poplar Forest over a 200-year period. Join Mary Kesler, Coordinator of Themed Tours and Historic Resources at Poplar Forest, one of Thomas Jefferson's homes, as she discusses the contributions and experiences of a myriad of women who have lived and worked at Poplar Forest.
March 4, 2025. 1 - 3 p.m.
Seven Bends State Park
Can a fire really tell what kind of weather is coming? Absolutely! For decades, humans have been looking at mountain springs, dandelions, even crickets and geese to help predict the weather. Families with children ages 8 - 13 are welcome to come learn how and why these and many other indicators, found outdoors, can be used to forecast the upcoming weather.
March 8, 2025. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield and High Bridge Trail State Parks
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with High Bridge Trail State Park at Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park.
Step into history this St. Patrick's Day season as we explore the extraordinary story of Irish American soldiers during the American Civil War! Join us for a special indoor program that highlights their bravery, camaraderie, and unique ways of marking St. Patrick's Day amidst the chaos of war.
March 8, 2025. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
We are celebrating women here at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield! We will have a rotating slide show featuring heroic women of history, a women-centered activity table, a nature hike and an honorary flower lapel pin.
March 11, 2025. 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Southwest Virginia Museum
In collaboration with the Wise County Virginia Cooperative Extension Agency, the park will be hosting tree grafting workshops. Grafting, or graftage, is a horticultural technique whereby tissues of plants are joined so as to continue their growth together.
March 14, 2025. 8 - 9 p.m.
Hungry Mother State Park
Who, who, who is that? Venture into the night with an interpretive ranger to discover how owls are uniquely designed for nocturnal living and learn about all of their unique adaptations. Join us as we attempt to call out to these incredible creatures.
March 15, 2025. 10 - 11 a.m.
Powhatan State Park
This is prime time for bird watching since the trees haven't yet grown their new set of leaves; the birds are now more visible when perching on branches. Some winter migrants may still be visiting from far up north, while others are year-round residents. Take a guided walk with a ranger alongside meadow and forest to find out who is out and about.
March 22, 2025. 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. & 1 - 4 p.m.
Chippokes State Park
Enjoy historical interpretation inside the Brick Kitchen to learn more about this ancient, practical, and culinary craft tradition that is at the center of European cuisine.
Let us travel back in time, to a period where preparing meals and cooking for the entire family was done without the aid of modern luxuries and advancements. When meals were flavored by the fire with deeper, stronger and richer flavors.
March 22, 2025. 8 - 10 a.m.
Caledon State Park
Join the Caledon Trail Race Series for the Pollinator Dash! Traverse the trails with the Butterfly Boogie 5K or the Honeybee Hustle 10K and earn a prize. Each run is dog friendly. State parks require dogs to be leashed with no more than a 6ft leash.
March 20 & 27, 2025. 5 - 7 p.m.
New River Trail State Park
This is a fantastic time of year to take-in the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflowers of Southwest Virginia. Dutchman's Breeches will be blooming en masse along the hillsides with cutleaf toothwort, bloodroot, and hepatica. Gravel tires work best on New River Trail crushed stone trail surface.
March 20, 2025. 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park
Have you ever wanted to learn how to cook in the outdoors with no electricity? Join the Friends of Twin Lakes State Park members where they will be showing off their outdoor cooking and fire making skills, featuring pie iron, dutch oven and paper bag cooking.
March 22, 2025. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Machicomoco State Park
Have you ever wanted to try camping, but didn't because it all seems so confusing and expensive? The Let's Go Adventures staff will guide you through the basics of camping in a Virginia State Park. Get answers to questions like; How do I select and set up a tent? What do I need to make my campsite comfortable? What and how do I cook in camp?
March 23, 2025. 3 - 4p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Join us for an informative program on the Smith Mountain Lake dam, presented by Neil Holthouser, Process Supervisor for American Electric Power. Learn how and why the dam was built and how it affects our local watershed.
March 24-30, 2025.
Staunton River State Park
The Spring 2025 installment of the Staunton River Star Party will be sponsored by CHAOS (Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society) and hosted by Staunton River State Park. This week long astronomy festival has gained the attention of astronomers from all over the eastern seaboard and beyond. Registration is required. The public night will be March 28, from 8-10 p.m.
March 29, 2025. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Help children 12 and under get hooked on the thrill of fishing and discover the fun of being outdoors.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Camp Carson Picnic Shelter and fishing is from 9 a.m. to Noon.
March 30, 2025. 2 - 4 p.m.
Sweet Run State Park
National Take A Walk in A Park Day is celebrated annually on March 30. It's a day to get outside and enjoy nature, encouraging everyone to invest in their health and spend time outdoors! Stretch our legs on a Sunday afternoon hike at Sweet Run. Join Master Naturalist and Master Hiker Kelly Roach on a calming hike along Farmstead Loop Trail.
March Programs:
- Astronomy Events
Various Parks - Birding Events
Various Parks - Self-Guided Programs
Various Parks
