Events in Virginia State Parks

Have you ever wanted to pan for gold?

Come watch our resident snakes enjoy their mealtime!

Join a ranger in making your very own shark tooth earrings or necklace!

Have you ever wondered about the birds in your area?

This archery session offers instruction for beginners and shooting time for the more experienced. It begins with a talk on archery equipment, technique, and safety.

Explore the remains of the Goodwin Gold Mine and learn how gold was discovered here by stepping in the stream, getting wet, and learning the techniques to pan for gold! This is a hands-on historical activity demonstration; everything found during panning must remain at the site except gold and pyrite.

Bring out your inner sculptor using air dry clay.

Want to know a secret?

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.

 Volunteer and help Chippokes staff  keep the shorelines clean and safe this National Beach Day!  Meet at the Visitor Center for instructions and supplies (gloves, available trash grabbers, trash bags.

Could you tell the difference between a harmless plant and a poisonous lookalike?

"Equipped for Battle" is an opportunity to learn about the typical items soldiers from the American Civil War would have worn and carried with them into battle.

Discover the art of journaling in the wild with a ranger.

Mother Nature invites young nature-lovers to hear and read nature-themed stories. Share experiences of the natural world, nurture that curiosity for the wonders of Earth, and stay to explore the Discovery Center’s exhibits. Gaining an appreciation for nature will lead to a desire to protect it!

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

Summer heat can be challenging for both people and wildlife.

Bring a curious mind and some questions to join a roving ranger for an interpretive experience at the Bay View Trailhead.

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.

Interested in learning about archery in an adult setting?

This is the kind of Sunday program where you wander down the beach, stumble into a ranger-led arts and craft activities, and end up staying way longer than planned!

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.

Amid the hardships of the American Civil War, soldiers found strength in the bonds they formed and the small comforts of daily life.

Nature Journals are great way to practice intentional observation of your surroundings.

Westmoreland State Park is home to 5 ambassador animals: Reba McEntire the Corn snake, Stevie Nicks the King snake, and three Red-Eared Sliders, Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline, and Earl Scruggs.

Ever wonder what dolls of the 18th century frontier looked like or what they were made of?

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.

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

Discover the mysterious world of mushrooms and other fungi.  The journey begins with a presentation in the Visitor Center and includes a walk through the woods to identify the common and extraordinary, the safe and the deadly!

It's feeding time in our Chesapeake Bay Lab!

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

So many creatures visit the Bullpasture River, but what critters are below the surface?

Challenge yourself to name various songbirds found around Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Join the interpretive ranger and see how many of our common birds you can identify.

What does making a fire and baking have in common?

Create a hand-made, nature-inspired souvenir to take home.

Discover the timeless art of pine needle basket weaving and unlock your creativity with this hands-on workshop.

Join us for "Turtle Time" at Holliday Lake State Park and meet our beloved turtle, Ranger Harrold Holliday!

Experience the beauty of High Bridge Trail under the enchanting light of the setting sun and the rising moon.

What creatures rule our beaches at night?

Find out what lurks below the surface of the swamp in this fun dip-netting adventure!

Have you ever wondered what secrets the natural world holds? This drop-in program offers a unique opportunity to meet with Virginia Master Naturalists who will be available to answer all your nature-related questions.

It's National Eat Outside Day!

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

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.

Who made those footprints?

Do you enjoy coffee, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables?

Every Monday evening from May to September you can find local fresh produce, baked goods, honey, jams and jellies, soap, and local artisan crafters, as well as food vendors, here at Fairy Stone State Park.

Our beautiful park is the perfect place to pick up a fun new workout routine.

Join us at Douthat State Park for Homeschool Naturalists, a monthly outdoor education series designed for homeschool students of all ages.

Everyone loves a relaxing evening especially out on Hungry Mother Lake.

Have you ever heard of a pawpaw?

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

Meet a ranger for a leisurely paced hour walk from the Galax access towards Cliffview.

Play classic Hide-and-Seek with a modern twist!

Come explore the historic town of Fries! A park ranger will share stories of local history and show what remains of the once thriving textile industry.

Shine a light on days gone by with a lantern-lit history tour of the Natural Bridge.

The one and only mammal on the planet capable of true flight absolutely loves Hungry Mother.

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

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

What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?

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

Have you ever tried archery or mountain biking or fly fishing?

The library is coming to the park!

Did you know 'creepy crawlies' are some of the world's most important recyclers?

Enjoy the beautiful park setting as you are entertained by some of our very own local musicians.

Start your weekend off right with s’mores and more!

Watch the last traces of daylight strike the Blue Ridge Mountains on this haywagon ride.

Want to explore the New River Trail in a different light?

Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater peninsula.

Experience paddling on one of Virginia's most beautiful and historic waterways: the James River.

Join us for a rewarding morning of gardening with fellow plant lovers.

Saturday morning is for the birds!

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

Did you know Westmoreland State Park has a beach where you can find fossils?

Meet local 'shellebrity' Ranger Myrtle, the Red-eared Slider turtle, as she suns herself in her enclosure behind the concession building.

This archery session offers instruction for beginners and shooting time for the more experienced. It begins with a talk on archery equipment, technique, and safety.

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.

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

Join us on the first Saturday of the month from May to November to experience the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of history at Sky Meadows.

Come out to the newly renovated Roanoke Station Nature Center!

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Join our rangers for a guided tour of Mulberry Hill, the plantation home of Judge Paul Carrington, Virginian and Founding Father.

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

Join us at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park for a unique look at one of the American Civil War's most unexpected stories.

Westmoreland State Park is home to five different ambassador animals: Reba McEntire the corn snake, Stevie Nicks the king snake, and three red-eared sliders, Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline, and Earl Scruggs.

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.

First impressions can be deceiving, and our initial reactions to wild animals often fail to capture their true significance in our ecosystems.

Art in the Park programs explore connections between art and the natural world through a hands-on project each month.  This month's program is Paper Making!

Meet the park's ambassador reptiles: a sweet juvenile cornsnake and a spunky mud turtle! You'll examine turtle shells, skeletons, and skins, and on feeding days you may even be able to watch as a park ranger feeds them their favorite meal.  All ages are invited. Those that may be familiar or even fearful these reptiles are bound to learn something new about these fascinating critters.

Come out to Chestnut Creek along the Cliffview Campground, get your feet wet, and explore life underwater!

Drop by the campfire to relax, meet your camping neighbors, enjoy time sharing stories, and learn about critters that call New River Trail home.

Get creative when you build your very own bug at this ranger-led program.

Experience the park in a whole new way.

Come gather around the campfire and immerse yourself in a night of fun.

Take a lantern lit chairlift ride down to the naturally made tunnel.

Experience the sights and sounds of the park at sunset with a leisurely guided hike beginning at 7 p.m. from the main parking lot.

Join astronomy volunteers as they share the stories written in the night sky.

A nearly century-long tradition continues as the Natural Bridge is bathed in light the last Saturday night of every month (plus holiday weekends), April through October.  Experience the 200-foot-tall arch as it is lit from above and below by dozens of lights, with the only sound being the murmuring of Cedar Creek running below.

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

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