Events in Virginia State Parks

Come watch our resident snakes enjoy their mealtime!

Can you maintain ecosystem equilibrium?

Bodies of water attract wildlife; therefore, they are great places to look for animal tracks.

"A small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can indeed change the world." - Margaret Meade, Anthropologist Do you have a passion for teaching and being outdoors?

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

 We are looking for eager volunteers of all skill level to help us repair and maintain our trails!

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

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

The Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park presents Lights at the Lake. Entrance is a cash or toy donation to benefit the Cumberland Christmas Mother.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

Join us on a guided golf cart tour of High Bridge where we will learn about the bridge's history and the role it played in the American Civil War.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

The Friends of Powhatan State Park is a group made up of citizen volunteers from Virginia’s Piedmont region who are passionate about supporting the park’s mission.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

The Ursids meteor shower is a minor meteor shower producing 5-10 meteors per hour at its peak.

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

Explore an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night!

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

Don your ugliest holiday attire and join us for a night of festivities!

"As long as a live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing." -- John Muir Widewater State Park is pleased to offer Winter Birding Walks from November 2026 thru March 2027!  Join our experienced birder and volunteer, Lisa, on an exploration of our incredibly diverse park throughout the cooler months.

Start your weekend with fresh air, beautiful scenery, camaraderie, and a feeling of accomplishment.

Would you like to have the chance to explore the trails in Powhatan State Park and meet new people?

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

Explore the park’s expansive wetlands with us as we search for and identify the plants and animals that call this unique habitat home.

Have you watched for waterfowl?

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

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.

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

Let your creativity flow at our Creation Station, where you can create your favorite animal mask, opossum puppet, turkey, butterfly, or batteau craft.

Students K-12 in public, private, or homeschool are encouraged to participate in our Junior Duck Stamp Education series, where they will learn about native waterfowl, wetlands, and conservation, as well as the history of waterfowl hunting on the Widewater peninsula.

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

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

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is pleased to present special night viewings of the 31st Annual Festival of Trees.

 As you ride down on the chairlift and make your way to the tunnel, you will be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and see animated Christmas displays.

Please Note: This is an entirely indoor astronomy program.

Calling all birders!

Come watch our resident snakes enjoy their mealtime!

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

Join us for a lesson in the unique adaptations that make animals well suited for surviving the colder winter months.

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

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

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

Bundle up and join us for a peaceful winter walk as we explore the James River State Park in search of its seasonal birdlife!

Joining a park ranger for a fun reading adventure!

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

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

Slow down and take in the beauty of the James River and its vibrant landscapes!

Bodies of water attract wildlife; therefore, they are great places to look for animal tracks.

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

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

Come watch our resident snakes enjoy their mealtime!

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

Can you maintain ecosystem equilibrium?

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

The Friends of York River State Park is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the mission of the park: We champion the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of York River State Park's estuarine environment.

The Visitor Center at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park offers a museum filled with treasured artifacts discovered over the years where the last major fight of the American Civil War in Virginia occurred on April 6, 1865.

Tours of the Hillsman House, a National Historic Landmark, are available to the public by request.

A Self-Guided Driving Tour of Sailor's Creek Battlefield is available to visitors year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield offers six, self-guided Hiking Trails with historic markers for the public to explore year round during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).

Join us on a real or virtual hike through Claytor Lake State Park as we take a closer look at some of the beautiful native trees.

Did you know that Haven Howe was an early advocate for environmental reform in Virginia? Participate in person or virtually as we examine the fine craftsmanship of the Howe House and learn of its builder, inhabitants, and history.

Stop by the fishing area behind Howe House to check out our EnChroma color blind scenic viewer.

Contribute to citizen science by helping us create a time lapse of this mysterious site.

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

Take a hike back in time by visiting our tour points located at the same location as our collection of photos and videos from past years at Claytor Lake State Park and Claytor Lake.

Groups or individuals can adopt a section of a trail or a trail within our 7-mile park trail system.

Request a ranger to give your family or group a chance to get a more personalized experience at Claytor Lake State Park.

Earn your junior ranger patch through a variety of programs and fun family activities.  Visit the park office (the Howe House), gift shop, or contact station for a copy of our junior ranger booklet, or you can download it from the link below.

Nothing beats a ranger-led program in one of our parks.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, Douthat State Park is a great place to bring your group for a day of hands-on, outdoor learning.

Be you a teacher, camp counselor, homeschool instructor, or troop leader, you are invited to schedule your group's next field trip or educational program with Widewater State Park!

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

No matter your role—teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or beyond—we invite you to plan your group’s next field trip to Twin Lakes State Park.

Looking for hands-on, memorable outdoor learning?

Wake up, lace up, and head outside with the Friends of Seven Bends State Park Walker's Club!  Join the group every Monday and Friday at 7:50 a.m. on a morning hike to enjoy cool air, quiet trails, and amazing views.

Request a Ranger to give your family or group a chance to get a more personalized experience at Culpeper Battlefields State Park.

Be you a teacher, camp counselor, homeschool instructor, or troop leader, you are invited to schedule your group's next field trip or educational program with Culpeper Battlefields State Park!

Whether you are a teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, we are inviting you to plan your groups' next field trip to Fairy Stone State Park.

Earn your Junior Ranger badge at Sky Meadows State Park!

Say goodbye to 2026 on the shore of the York.

Introduced by the National Parks, B.A.R.K.

Enjoy a self-guided tour as you walk down to see the Natural Tunnel.

As you explore the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and the surrounding area, discover what makes this building so unique as well as what was commonly used on the frontier for survival during the 18th Century.

Stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a copy of a self-guided brochure on the “Common Trees of Virginia”.

Introduced by the National Parks, B.A.R.K.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, Leesylvania State Park is a great place to bring your group for hands-on, outdoor learning.

Belle Isle State Park is looking for the next generation of ranger, are you ready to give it a try?

Belle Isle State Park has some great activities that you can do on your own schedule.

Stop by Hungry Mother's Discovery Center and ask the front desk rangers about our Park Packs.

Make your park visit even more exciting by stopping by the Visitor Center to pick up an Adventure Pack!

Ready for a modern-day treasure hunt?

Stop by the Visitor Center for a list of items to find.

Did you know that James River State Park is an International Dark Sky Park?

Become a Junior Ranger today and earn your Official Junior Ranger Badge!

Come meet our turtle and snake animal ambassadors and explore the museum to learn about the history of the James River and the wildlife that calls this park home through interactive displays and taxidermy exhibits.

The park has over 12 miles of beautiful hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to moderate.