Events in Virginia State Parks

Animals and plants come in all kinds of colors, but why the variety?

Help us celebrate National Trails Day with breathtaking views!  Join a park ranger for a 1.5 mile hike along Eagle's Rest Trail at Hayfields State Park.

Come out and help Staunton River Battlefield State Park pick up trash and remove invasive species along the Battlefield Trail by the Roanoke Station Train Depot.

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

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.

Join a park ranger for a 1.5 mile hike along Eagle's Rest Trail at Hayfields State Park.

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.

Join us at High Bridge Station for a special guest program from Patrick Schroeder.

Get ready to explore some of the littlest life in our park at Bugs and Beyond!

Discover the vital role butterflies play in our ecosystem and the remarkable journey they undertake from egg to winged adult.

Join the Northern Virginia Association of Rocketry (NOVAAR) Club as their model rockets go up, up, and away.

Celebrate National Trails Day at Natural Tunnel State Park by taking your walking stick to the next level.

Join our rangers for a guided tour of Mulberry Hill, the plantation home of Judge Paul Carrington, Virginian and Founding Father. This month we will focus on the McPhail Family and their history; the McPhail's resided at Mulberry Hill during the 1800s. We will also examine Mulberry Hill during the Civil War and the role Lieutenant Col.

This land-based, hook-free fishing game is a fun and safe way to learn how to cast, but even those who are fishing fanatics will enjoy trying to beat out the competition in this game of limited resources.

Come talk to the Kiptopeke Rangers at our educational booth at the entrance to North Beach.

Come out to the newly renovated Roanoke Station Nature Center!

Celebrate 80 Years of Pocahontas State Park by taking a closer look at your surroundings in our nature journaling class.

The woods are a magical place anytime of the year.

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

Teens and adults are invited to slow down, step outside, and discover how nature journaling can change the way you notice the world around you.

Celebrate National Trails day with a guided tree trek at Chippokes State Park!

Guest Speaker, Patrick Schroeder, Chief Historian from Appomattox Court House National Historical Battlefield, will provide a presentation on the larger-than-life, Southside Virginia-native Peter Francisco, whose exploits, accomplishments, victories, and adventures are the stories of legend and heroism during the American Revolution.

National Trails Day provides an opportunity for all outdoor enthusiasts to venture out onto their favorite trails for exercise and wellness.

What can you find today?

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

Let your creativity run wild as you dive into a world of nature-themed crafting fun. Young artists can choose from a variety of nature-inspired crafts such as animal masks, opossum puppets, butterflies, turkeys, or even a batteau craft.

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.

Help park rangers keep the park and the lake clean with this Litter Patrol.

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

Ready to explore the forest in its full summer glory?

Do you like to hike?

What is the perfect sized walking stick for you?

Over 200 years ago, early adventurers like Daniel Boone walked these same hills and valleys we see today.

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

Have you ever wondered how snakes can swallow something as big as their own heads?

“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.

Ever wanted to learn to crab?

The Survival bracelet is the superhero utility belt of the outdoors.

Our friends Hisstopher and Harrold planned a feast, and they want you to join.

Join us for a geocaching adventure at Shenandoah River!

Ever wondered what stories Douthat State Park holds?

Join our rangers as we hike to the Claytor Lake Overlook for beautiful views of rolling hills and the lake.

Dive into an ancient craft with a ranger, known as Gyotaku fish printing.

Do you know North America's favorite marsupial?

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

Meet with a ranger and go on a one-mile guided hike along the Oak Hickory Trail, rated as a moderate hike.

Ever cared to create art outdoors?

Did you know that people have been using plants to dye fabric for centuries?

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Have you ever encountered a bear while hiking?

Settle in for a relaxing wagon ride as a park ranger guides you through the scenic landscapes of James River State Park.

Who cooks for you?

Join us for Pocahontas State Park's 80th birthday by taking in the sounds of the Richmond Symphony at the Heritage Amphitheater while surrounded by the beauty of Pocahontas State Park.

Experience the park in a whole new way.

Gather around the campfire for an evening of warmth, wonder, and discovery.

National Trails Day is a great opportunity to meet new people in your area and share a fun experience on a local trail.

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

Ever wondered what it’s like to paddle under a sky full of stars?

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

Experience the park at night with a ranger guide pointing out stars and planets, nocturnal wildlife, and the joys of a natural night with low light pollution.

Looking for a fun way to explore the park at your own pace?

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

One of the best times to be on Hungry Mother Lake is in the early mornings when no one else is on the lake.

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

Experience the James River like never before on this ranger-guided canoe float between Canoe Landing and Dixon Landing!

Over 200 years ago, early adventurers like Daniel Boone walked these same hills and valleys we see today.

Start your day with birdsong and discovery by joining a park ranger for a bird-watching walk.

What's this trash doing here?

Explore the 32-acre Prince Edward Lake, the larger of the park's two lakes, on this guided kayak paddle.

Do you love bees, butterflies, and birds?

"Wisdom from the Wild" is a monthly series that will lead you on wonder-filled journey to recovering your sense of belonging and finding your truest self, rooted in the rhythms and raptures of nature.

Come watch our resident snakes enjoy their mealtime!

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.

Come talk to the Kiptopeke Rangers at our educational booth at the entrance to North Beach.

Cast into a new outdoor skill during Backyard Bass at the Pollinator Garden!

Celebrate Virginia’s Free Fishing Days at Gordon Pond!

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.

Manners aren't just reserved for a fancy dinner party; everyone deserves to be respected at all times.

Bring out your inner artist using air dry clay.

Take a journey to Wilburn Ridge and discover the marvelous world of the Mountain Laurel and the Catawba Rhododendron. Learn about the different species within the park, why they grow where they grow, and hear the lore of these amazing plants.

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.

Did you know that Virginia is home to over 400 different species of native bees?  Bees are integral to our daily lives by pollinating our plants, but most people don't know much about our native species.

Ever wanted to learn how to fish, but never knew where to start?

Do we have bears around here?

Have you ever wanted to pan for gold?

It's free fishing day in Virginia, which means you don't need a fishing license!

How can you determine the approximate age of a box turtle?

Does Tralalero Tralalá live in the lake?

Interested in learning about archery in an adult setting?

What will we scoop up this time?

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.

Did you know that the tunnel used to be a cave?

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

Spend your Sunday by the river!  A ranger will be stationed or roving in the picnic area with a fun activity for the whole family!  Activities may include a fur and skull table, meeting the wildlife ambassadors Henry the turtle or Fred the snake, dip netting, crafts, and more!

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.

“What does the fox say?” Did you know that there are two different foxes found in Virginia, the red fox and the grey fox?

Who was Elizabeth Hartwell?

Visit a Ranger at Massie Gap to learn about different creatures that live within the park.

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