Events in Virginia State Parks

Spend time paddling down the Clinch River.

This pleasant paddle will show you two aspects of the lake: one of a lake built in the 1930s and another of a wetland created by nature.

Without pollinators, people and all of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.

How can we be more sustainable when practicing our favorite hobbies?

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

All aboard the Virginia Dare for a fun-filled and informative lunch cruise.

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

Imagine your afternoon at the park involving turtles soaking up sunshine as they enjoy the tickling grass.

Trees are vital to our environment.

What swims in the shallows of South Beach?

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

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.

Explore the life cycle of butterflies.

First Landing is home to many creatures both large and small.

Are all snakes venomous?

Do you know what's living in our lake?

Hear the sound of axes.

Ever wondered what makes coyotes such successful survivors in our backyards and beyond?

Kiptopeke is full of beautiful sights to draw inspiration from. Breath taking sunsets on the bay, graceful migratory birds in flight, the swirling lines of seashells in the sand, and the pops of color from flowers in the fields can awaken the artist in all of us. Want to create your own masterpiece or capture a memory in your own impressionistic style?

Stop by the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and step back in time to experience aspects of life on the frontier.

Have you been fishing before?

Whether you're fascinated or a little rattled, snakes are a vital part of healthy ecosystems, and they’re not as scary as they seem.

Want to save the bees, butterflies, birds, and more?  Just plant native!  Even the smallest pollinator-friendly patch will make a difference.  At our pollinator garden workshop, you'll learn everything you need to know to get started and receive a planning packet to help create your own pollinator habitat at home.

Where does your water go?

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

Hop on over for a hands-on adventure into the world of frogs. Join park staff as we search for some of Virginia’s native frog species and their tadpoles.

Join us for a Kayak Paddle trip to fossil beach!

The final week of Junior Rangers is all about the Spirit of Adventure!

Join us for a special night hike through False Cape State Park.

Join Highland County astronomers and park staff as we gaze into the August night!

Join us for an unforgettable evening under the stars as we celebrate one of the most spectacular celestial events of the year- the Perseids meteor shower!

Join a ranger at the Upper Beach Parking Area to view the night sky during the new moon. Since there is no moonlight competing with the sky, the days surrounding a new moon offer the best conditions of the month for spotting the Milky Way, faint galaxies, and constellations Telescopes will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side with this monthly series of true nature walks!

Do you feel safer walking with a friend?

Look up and learn about tree diversity in the park!

Explore the wonders of the Tutelo Trail with our park interpreter.

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

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

The blue crab is one of the most iconic species of the Chesapeake Bay.

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.

Second only to humans in the ability to change their environment to fit their needs, learn just how smart a beaver can be.

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

Imagine spending your afternoon by the water, catching dragonflies and damselflies discovering all the little details you usually miss.

Think you’ve got sharp eyes?

Discover what the tiny creatures living beneath the water’s surface can tell us about the health of a stream.

Step into the shoes of an archaeologist and uncover the secrets of an owl’s diet!

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.

It's feeding time in our Chesapeake Bay Lab!

Cryptids (animals commonly not believed to be real) like the Moth Man may be folklore, but the cryptic adaptations of moths are very real.

Customize your hiking stick and suddenly every trail feels more personal.

Some of Virginia's coolest mammals are rarely seen by humans.

Ever heard of a seed bomb?

Can you recall taking a break on a hot summer day and sitting under the shade of a maple tree, or swinging on a tire swing hung from a giant oak? Trees provide many benefits including food, shelter, and oxygen, to both humans and wildlife.

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.

Seine netting is a skill that dates back many centuries ago for people to enjoy the bounty of the seas.

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

Summer is a great time of year to take-in Southwest Virginia's beautiful scenery by bike.  This ranger-led bike meet up will go from Foster Falls to Austinville and back (10.4 miles round trip).  Group Ride: Rides will be at a group pace.

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

Ever wondered what critters are crawling beneath the surface of a stream? Join us on a fun adventure as we search the stream for interesting, tiny critters: freshwater invertebrates.

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

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

Step into the quiet, mysterious woods of Douthat State Park after dark for an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy a relaxing morning canoe paddle with a park ranger as they share various ecological and biological features we encounter on our journey. No experience needed; all equipment is provided. Sunscreen, water, sunglasses, a hat, and closed-toed shoes you can get wet are highly encouraged to bring.

Our park is known for its biodiversity and is home to many species of birds.

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

Step back in time on a hike to the park's historic cabin ruins under a canopy of a mature mixed hardwood forest, where you’ll learn about the historical uses of native plants and trees, the story of the park's land, and how the remains of the cabin fits into its fascinating history.

Let us teach you all the basics you'll need to know to get yourself started with one of our most popular outdoor activities, from tying on your hook and tackle to casting your line.

Start your day with a gentle adventure designed especially for young explorers and their families.

Description: Join a ranger for an eye-opening look at nature’s clean-up crew!

The York River was home to four manned lighthouses: Bells Rock, Pages Rock, Tue Marshes, and York Spit.

How can we be more sustainable when practicing our favorite hobbies?

Explore the park’s different ecosystems that provide habitats for an array of unique mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and birds.

Most people don't like to drop their camera in the lake, but the rangers at the park will do it on purpose.

Come celebrate national bird day with this fun Birding Bingo.

This guided nature walk will take you through scenic trails of the Sugar Hill Unit rich with wildlife, where you’ll have the chance to observe turtles in their natural habitat, learn fascinating facts about their behavior, and discover how we can help protect these gentle creatures.

Join Ranger Madison on a hike to learn the wonders of Bear Creek. This walk of about one half mile walk over moderately terrain will take us along the lake and stream side as well as higher ground.

Black bears are one of the many incredible mammals that dwell in Douthat State Park.

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.

Bees get all the credit, but they're not the only pollinators.

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

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.

What swims in the shallows of South Beach?

Ever wondered what a skunk’s fur feels like, or how big a bobcat’s skull really is?

Meet Natural Tunnel's wildlife ambassador, Popcorn the corn snake.

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 rangers will have a variety of craft materials available so you can let your creativity flow like Swift Creek. This program encourages artistic expression, enhances fine motor skills and encourages teamwork.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our rangers who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.

Jump in and explore the underwater side of the Shenandoah River!

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

Are you Bear Aware?

The library is coming to the park!

While designing a cool animal tooth necklace, learn how to to identify different animal skulls like a mini wildlife scientist.

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

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

Join us for a ranger-led hike highlighting the parks flora and fauna, historical sites, and unique ecology!    Please wear closed-toe shoes.

Ever wondered what stories Douthat State Park holds?

Dive into the history of the Occaneechi Tribe that once called Occoneechee State Park home.

Ever wonder what the fish are doing when they dive deep under water?