Events in Virginia State Parks

From hikers, to dog-walkers, to bikers, and horse-riders, the park's trails are enjoyed by many kinds of people, pets, and wildlife!

Have you explored Virginia's newest state park and visited the Eagle's Rest Overlook?

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

Curious about what flowers you see blooming in Sky Meadows' fields during the summer heat?

Ever wonder what the Battle of Cedar Mountain was all about? Come join Ranger Webb-Watkins to find out!

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.

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

Ever wonder what the Battle of Cedar Mountain was all about? Come join Ranger Webb-Watkins to find out!

It's none of your Beeswax! Let's venture out in search of the great bumble bee.

Join a park ranger for a guided nighttime adventure through the maritime forest as we search and listen for some of First Landing State Park’s most fascinating nocturnal residents: owls.

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.

Hoo's making that noise?

Let’s go on a fun "History Hike" at Staunton River State Park. Our interpretive ranger will lead the hike on River Bank Trail and talk about the exciting history of the Staunton River and our beautiful State Park.

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

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

Ever wonder what the Battle of Cedar Mountain was all about? Come join Ranger Webb-Watkins to find out!

Beavers are nature's architects!

Have you ever wanted to pan for gold?

Ever wonder what the Battle of Cedar Mountain was all about? Come join Ranger Webb-Watkins to find out!

What creatures rule our beaches at night?

Calling all bird lovers, do you know how to identify a bird by its song?

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

Look up and learn about tree diversity in the park!

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

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

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

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

Ready for a bat-tastic hike at night?

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

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

Can you track the ranger out on the trail?

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

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

Join a ranger to learn about science, history, and nature at Leesylvania State Park!

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

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

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.

Join us as we learn more about the prehistoric history of Chippokes State Park through fossils that can be found right on our beaches!

As the heat of the day begins to fade, join a ranger for an evening walk along the Farmstead Loop to discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to summer's hottest conditions.

Enjoy an early morning hike with a Ranger to view the sunrise. We'll be hiking to Little Pinnacle to observe what display Mother Nature will show that morning!

We all know that hiker who likes to stop every few steps to point out some cool fungi, or stop to examine a freshly fallen feather.

Do you know how to identify different trees?

Join us every second Saturday at the Mayo River Trails to explore the future Mayo River State Park. You will also discover some interesting facts about local wildlife, and about the exploration of the area by William Byrd.

There are more than just fish that live in the creeks at Grayson Highlands State Park! Beat the heat and get your feet wet searching for critters and macroinvertebrates that live in the cold mountain streams.

Stand in the shade of one of the most 'poplar' trees in the park as you learn about Swift Creek, native wildlife, and more about the park's history. The trail is hard packed earth with some challenging elevation changes on this easy-moderate 0.7-mile loop from the Visitor Center. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, pack water/snacks, and dress for the weather.

Join us for "Tree Topia" as we uncover the magical realm of trees and their incredible role as habitats!

“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.

With warmer wetter weather comes springtime fungi!

Join a park ranger for a guided nighttime adventure through the maritime forest as we search and listen for some of First Landing State Park’s most fascinating nocturnal residents: owls.

"Hoo-hoo" wants to join a park ranger in exploring the dark of night?

Experience the sights and sounds of the park at sunset with a leisurely guided hike beginning at 8 p.m. from the main parking lot.

Fireflies aren't the only species that glow at night.  Did you know several plant and animal species glow under black light?

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.

Have you ever seen or heard an actual owl call in the night?

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

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

Leaf your worries behind and tree-t yourself to a ranger-led hike that shows how trees are everything but still!

Long before there was a York River State Park, or even a York River, 6,000 plus years ago, marine creatures swam here in a shallow sea.

Join us on a birding adventure, starting with a quick chat about tips and tricks to help with bird identification followed by a short hike through some of Machicomoco's best bird habitats.

What creatures rule our beaches at night?

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

Calling all bird lovers, do you know how to identify a bird by its song?

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

Join a ranger for a guided hike along one of the fingers of Fairy Stone Lake that leads to an abandoned iron mine.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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

Can you track the ranger out on the trail?

Have you explored Virginia's newest state park and visited the Eagle's Rest Overlook?

Ever wondered what early inhabitant's lives were like in the Highlands?

Pick up a copy of the self-guided Twin Pinnacles Trail brochure at the Park Office or Visitor Center.

Join us for a relaxed, guided hike where we’ll explore the park with pen and paper in hand.

Bring your canine companion and join the B.A.R.K.

Hike along the riverbanks of the James River through the park's riparian forest to discover the fascinating history and wonders of the pawpaw tree.

Join a ranger on a birding hike down the Battlefield Trail.

Join a park ranger for a guided nighttime adventure through the maritime forest as we search and listen for some of First Landing State Park’s most fascinating nocturnal residents: owls.

Watch the biggest meteor shower of the summer with our park rangers at this International Dark Sky Park.

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

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

Bring your four legged best friend for a ranger lead walk in the park and have your pup be certified as an official York River State Park B.A.R.K.

What creatures rule our beaches at night?

Join us for our exciting Frog Monitoring Program, taking place monthly!

Calling all bird lovers, do you know how to identify a bird by its song?