Events in Virginia State Parks

Help support the park you love.

Can you match the skull to its pelt?

What does fire mean to you?

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Visit our park on National Public Lands Day with special programming. This is a free parking day for all!

Learn about how pollution can spread in an aquatic environment and help us protect ourselves and our wildlife by cleaning up our shoreline.

Come celebrate Arbor Day with us! Join our rangers for a scenic hike from the Howe House to the beach as we learn how to identify some of our common native trees using our handheld identification sheets.

Have you ever picked wild blackberries or collected wild herbs for a recipe?

Join our rangers for a scenic stroll around the Howe House as we learn how to identify some of our common native trees.

Have you ever wondered about the birds in your area?

Happy fall, y'all!

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Happy fall, y'all!

Can you match the skull to its pelt?

Happy fall, y'all!

This FREE two-night (October 19 & 21) Boating Safety Course will enable participants to obtain their Boater Safety certification/card which is required in Virginia for all PWC operators age 14 and older and all operators (regardless of age) of motorboats with a 10 hp or greater engine.  Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult and pre-registration for all participants is required. Register online here.

Help support the park you love.

This FREE two-night (October 19 & 21) Boating Safety Course will enable participants to obtain their Boater Safety certification/card which is required in Virginia for all PWC operators age 14 and older and all operators (regardless of age) of motorboats with a 10 hp or greater engine.  Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult and pre-registration for all participants is required. Register online here.

What does fire mean to you?

Have you ever wondered about the birds in your area?

Happy fall, y'all!

Join us for some spooky storytelling by the campfire!

Happy fall, y'all!

Happy fall, y'all!

Virginia State Parks license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.

Happy fall, y'all!

Help support the park you love.

Virginia State Parks license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.

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.

At one time, the New River marked the westernmost edge of the backcountry frontier.