Events in Virginia State Parks

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Department of Conservation and Recreation of which Virginia State Parks are a part, this ranger-led campfire program will reveal how this area has been changed for human use. What cultural values have caused these changes?

Who cooks for you?

Does seeing a bat make you shiver or smile?

Come rock and roll with local favorite "Candy Machine" as they bring the best hits from the 1950s through the 1980s to life at the Beach Amphitheater!

You’re invited to gather ‘round the campfire for a truly warm welcome at Pocahontas State Park.

Enjoy a twilight stroll along the Chesapeake Bay’s shoreline taking in sunset views and gentle waves.

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

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of DCR with Machicomoco's park manager.

June is when fireflies are most active!

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?

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.

Paddle the Potomac to give back to our forests and waterways!

What's this trash doing here?

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

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.

Take a guided stroll through the vibrant salt marsh along the Cape Henry Trail and uncover the hidden life of this vital wetland ecosystem.

Stretch your wings on this hike all about the birds that call Chippokes State Park their nest!  Join a Ranger led excursion along College Run Trail to the shoreline of the James River.

Think you’ve got sharp eyes?

Have you ever wondered what owls look like, what they eat, or where they live?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Find our table near the beach.

Join us as we discover how Sailor’s Creek transformed from an American Civil War battlefield into a protected public landscape as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation!

Interested in learning about archery in an adult setting?

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

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.

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

Virginia is home to a very smart, and often mischievous animal, Ursus americanus, or the American Black Bear.

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.

Explore the life cycle of butterflies.

Set out on a relaxing ranger-guided tubing adventure as you float from Canoe Landing to Dixon Landing along the scenic James River! This approximately 2-mile trip generally takes around two hours, depending on river flow.

Visit a Ranger at Massie Gap and learn about bear safety, including how to store food, what to do when you come across a bear hiking, camping in bear country, and more.

Upon visiting Chippokes State Park you'll find many historic buildings that are direct links to the property's past as a former plantation and active farm site. Beyond these fields and buildings, there are important narratives of the men, women, and children who worked and lived on property over the years as Chippokes has continuously evolved.

Who was Elizabeth Hartwell?

Ever wanted to learn to crab?

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

Bug out and win cool prizes.

Paddle around the lake with us and discover the wildlife, historic structures, and features that make Holliday Lake a precious resource for all. This program is suitable for ages 6 and up.

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.

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

When a tree falls in the forest, what happens next?

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

Junior Ranger Camp is here! There are many things to discover at Leesylvania State Park.

Get ready for adventure!

Join a ranger for a guided hike through Laurel Loop and explore the native and invasive trees to Hayfields State Park.

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.

This program is a part of our blast to the past week!

Migrate to the Discovery Center to learn about the fascinating "Fish Hawk".

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

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 animal tracks and signs, discover the world of rocks and minerals, get ‘buggy’ with insects, and get up close and personal with some of our reptile friends.

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

This program is a part of our blast to the past week!

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

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.

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.

Get ready for adventure!

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Have you ever bumped into one of our tall bark-covered residents and wondered who it is you've just run into?

Come learn what makes cave ecosystems so delicate and special.

This program is a part of our blast to the past week!

Through history, people have utilized plants to survive, out of which have come special relationships.

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

Is the opossum misunderstood?

Take a guided walk with a park ranger and butterfly expert in search of colorful creatures of the meadow! First, you'll get tips and tricks for learning butterfly identification and anatomy as well as a glimpse into their amazing life cycles and awe-inspiring adaptations.

From forts to farms to state parks, the property of Hayfields has taken many forms, what can we learn from each change?

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.

Animals may be shy, but they leave plenty of clues behind.

Are all snakes venomous?

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.

Ever wondered how you stack up against some of the largest birds in the sky?

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

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

Allow the evening to envelop you and enjoy a hay wagon ride with our park guide.

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

Get ready for adventure!

Yes, you too can canoe!

Join a Hungry Mother interpreter for some WILD adventures this summer!

The Bald Cypress Trail is one of the park’s most popular trails with several swamp overlooks.

Learn how orchard trees and shrubs benefit pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while helping create healthier habitats across the landscape.

Are you trying to secure the tarp over your tent, or interested in how to keep your boat or canoe tied up so that it won't float away?

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

While most of the adventure on the New River takes place above the water, there is no shortage of things to see below the water!

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

Have you ever touched bear fur or looked at the teeth of a beaver?

Try your hand at panning for gold in the James River while discovering Virginia’s unique geology.