Events in Virginia State Parks

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

Ever wondered what stories Douthat State Park holds?

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

Slither, crawl, and shellabrate with us as we dive into the wild world of reptiles.

Let us keep the kids entertained while the adults set up or take a break from setting up and stop by for a quick craft; discussion of Belle Isle's history; or a lesson on critters.

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 us at the amphitheater for a warm welcome, camping tips, and marshmallow roasting at our weekly welcome campfire!  Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. .

Try your hand at reeling in some fun with Backyard Bass, an interactive casting game designed for visitors of all ages.

Expand your survival skills by learning how to build a fire!

End your week with a relaxing paddle along Swift Creek Lake.

Whether you prefer the writings of Henry David Thoreau or the classic rhyme scheme of Dr.

Keep an eye out around the campgrounds for a ranger carrying a fascinating historical or natural item from the park.

Learn more about Lake Anna State Park with our family-friendly Campfire Trivia Night! Will your team be the winner of the Coveted Trivia Log?

Enjoy the beautiful park setting as you are entertained by some of our very own local musicians.

We'll be closing out our 2026 season of music with a new offering.

Come join the party!

Start your weekend off right with s’mores and more!

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.

Welcome to Fairy Stone State Park!

Join us for a night of 'bat-tastic' fun at Twin Lakes State Park!

Watch the last traces of daylight strike the Blue Ridge Mountains on this haywagon ride.

Did you know that many species of fungi, plants, and even wildlife glow under a black light?

Join us for a night of 'bat-tastic' fun at Twin Lakes State Park!

Enjoy a movie night under the stars and bring your chairs, blankets, snacks, and more for the whole family!

Come take a walk with us to search for some of the park's most elusive night-time predators: owls! As we walk along under the quiet cover of darkness, we'll listen for their haunting voices as they cry out across the landscape.

Join us at the Community Fire Ring to relax, enjoy a roasted marshmallow, and get to know your camping neighbors.

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.

We go searching after dark for spiders where they wait to prey on insects. We shine a spotlight on them and watch their incredible eyes shine back. First meet us at the Campfire Circle to learn about which spider species are common in our area, their role in the ecosystem, and what makes them unique.

Welcome to the park, kick off your stay with an unforgettable evening by the fire at the water's edge.

Grab your binoculars and go birding.

Ready to learn the ins and outs of stand up paddleboarding?

Ever tried to balance on a board in the water as you paddle down the lake?

Enjoy the summer sun while also helping out your state parks! Check out some of Widewater's Summer volunteer opportunities below.  Educational Volunteer Opportunities Astronomy Assistant: July 17th & August 14th Natural Resource Management - Rain Barrel Maintenance: July 11th - Mothing Monitor: July 20th & 24th - Japanese Stilt Grass Removal: August 15th, 22nd, & 29th Recreation & Special Events Kayak Tour Caboose - Rising Sun: July 19th - Full Moon: July 25th - Twilight: August 8th Saturday, July 25th : Waterway Cleanups Summer Cleanup on the Potomac River Join this Stafford-based non-profit as they help keep Potomac River clean of trash and debris via kayaks in their Summer cleanup at the park.

Have you ever wondered what lies under your feet?

Every program description needs a hook, but this program already has plenty of them.

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

The Timberneck House got a new paint job last year!

Explore the rich natural history of trees guided by a Virginia Master Naturalist.

Join us for our 7th annual Butterflies on the Battlefield: Pollinator and Nature Festival.

Meet a ranger for a leisurely paced morning walk from the Foster Falls Depot to the Shot Tower.

Enjoy a relaxing morning by taking a guided kayak paddle through the marshes of Back Bay.

Explore the shoreline of the Potomac by kayak! Enjoy a daytime paddle on the lower Potomac River as we look and listen for bald eagles.

Calling all budding detectives.

Observe nature as a naturalist with a Lake Anna State Park sensory or photo scavenger hunt and return the completed activity before 4:00 pm to receive a special prize!

How did a railroad give hope to a community and how does the creation of a park continue to offer that hope?

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.

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

Do your front paws (hands) look like your back paws (feet).

Geocaching combines Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with nature to provide adventure for treasure hunters all over the world.

Does your child love exciting stories and fun facts?

What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?

Create a nature-inspired souvenir to remind you of your visit to Occoneechee State Park.

Toads, Turtles, and Snakes - Oh my!

Discover the vital role butterflies play in our ecosystem and the remarkable journey they undertake from egg to winged adult.

Find time to head down to the Tunnel Platform where you’ll find amazing views of the 300-foot-tall amphitheater walls of the Natural Tunnel, rock pigeons, and if you’re lucky, a train.

Paint pretty pictures with prickly pines (try saying that five times fast).

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.

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

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!

What makes a bird a bird?

Trees are vital to our environment.

Teens and adults are invited to join a creative workshop at the Powhatan Library.

Westmoreland State Park is home to 5 ambassador animals: Reba McEntire the Corn snake, Stevie Nicks the King snake, and three Red-Eared Sliders, Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline, and Earl Scruggs.

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

Think you can stump a nature expert?

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.

“What does the fox say?” Did you know that there are two different foxes found in Virginia, the red fox and the grey fox?

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.

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

It's feeding time in our Chesapeake Bay Lab!

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

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

“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. Meet at the Visitor Center before the hike.

Ever wondered what you can and can't eat out in the wild?

Have you ever wondered how snakes can swallow something as big as their own heads?

Mussels play a huge part in our watershed.

Come find us at the Splash Park as we get hands on with skulls and furs from Virginia’s native animals.

Are all snakes venomous?

The clouds are writing tomorrow's forecast, you just have to learn to read them Using cloud viewers, we will identify the different types of clouds and what weather they bring!

All is still in the marsh when out of the blue...SPLASH...a Great Blue Heron has caught a fish!

Come say hello to Ranger Shelly, our red-eared slider and local shellebrity. Join us at the beach as she enjoys some sunshine and enrichment time.

Take a closer look at what swims in the James River.

Learn why they're called survival bracelets--and then make one yourself.

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

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?

Let's take a hike on the Mulberry Creek Boardwalk Trail and beyond!

Get creative and be inspired by the beautiful scenery of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Dive into an ancient craft with a ranger, known as Gyotaku fish printing.

In Virginia, a lot of pre-contact Indigenous history was obscured by colonization.

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

Join the Rangers of False Cape for a delightful treat to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

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

The Tobacco Road Band features four Southside Virginia musicians with roots deep in the popular tunes of our times.

Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater peninsula.

Join us for a leisurely walk outdoors as we search for bugs!

Paddle around the lake with us and discover the rich history and variety of habitats at Holliday Lake State Park.

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!

Settle in for a relaxing wagon ride as a park ranger guides you through the scenic landscapes of James River State Park.

Join us for an exciting storytelling program by the campfire!