Events in Virginia State Parks

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!

Help our rangers and volunteers keep our park clean!

"Wisdom from the Wild" is a monthly series that will lead you on wonder-filled journey to recovering your sense of belonging and finding your truest self, rooted in the rhythms and raptures of nature.

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.

Experience the anticipation of seeing what lies around each "bend" of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River from a kayaker's point of view.

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

Ever wonder what animals call Kiptopeke home?

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

Who was Elizabeth Hartwell?

Want to learn more about the animals that live in our Big Water Visitor Center?

Join us for "Turtle Time" at Holliday Lake State Park and meet our beloved turtle, Ranger Harrold Holliday!

Get to know our favorite ambassador animals: Snoopy, Junior, Hungars, and Kernel as a ranger feeds our favorite critters.

Happy birthday, America!

Interested in learning about archery in an adult setting?

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

Stop by our parks' pop-up ranger program to touch furs, see animal skulls, and learn fun facts about the special animals that call Mason Neck home. Park Interpreters will be on hand to answer questions and share stories about how these critters survive and thrive in their habitats. Great for families and kids. .

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.

Westmoreland State Park is home to five different ambassador animals: Reba McEntire the corn snake, Stevie Nicks the king snake, and three red-eared sliders, Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline, and Earl Scruggs.

Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?

Experience the anticipation of seeing what lies around each "bend" of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River from a kayaker's point of view.

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

Have you ever wanted to pan for gold?

Salamander's come in all shapes and sizes and this one is extra "sticky".

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

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

Join us on a ranger led paddle from Ivanhoe to Foster Falls (7 miles) following the New River Trail to learn more about the history of the area and about kayaking the river.

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.

Discover the science beneath the surface at Karst in a Cup, where you'll learn how groundwater moves, how caves develop, and how karst landscapes shape our environment.

Bring your furry friends for a beautiful nature walk with one of our rangers.

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

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

Spend time paddling down the Clinch River.

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

All aboard the Virginia Dare for a fun-filled and informative lunch cruise.

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!

Learn about the mighty earth movers beneath your feet and get a tasty treat.

What swims in the shallows of South Beach?

Been itching to go fishing?

Ready to hit the water with confidence?

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?

Everyone loves a relaxing evening especially out on Hungry Mother Lake.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side with this monthly series of true nature walks!

Experience the James River like never before on this ranger-guided canoe float between Canoe Landing and Dixon Landing!

Salamander Meander invites you to explore Appalachian creeks in search of the region's unique salamander species.

Want to experience the New River Trail State Park in a way few people get a chance to?

The Green Arrow?

Do you want to witness the art of Gyotaku fish printing, an ancient craft where you can create your own fish masterpiece?

Experience the James River like never before on this ranger-guided canoe float between Canoe Landing and Dixon Landing!

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

Who's tracks are those?

What will we scoop up this time?

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

The one and only mammal on the planet capable of true flight absolutely loves Hungry Mother.

Shine a light on days gone by with a lantern-lit history tour of the Natural Bridge.

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!

This three-hour class will cover the basics of paddling skills including how to select and fit a personal flotation device (PFD), different types of kayaks, planning and safety, reading the river, identifying river hazards, and proper paddling strokes.

Create a recycled flowerpot out of newspaper that you can place right in the ground with native flower seeds.

What is a Box Turtles favorite food?

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

Join a park ranger for this competitive adventure on the one-mile loop Goodwin Lake Trail.

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.

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

What swims through the shallows of South Beach?

Come meet and greet Ranger Myrtle (our Red-Eared Slider turtle), Ranger Scout (our Western Hognose snake), and Ranger Brutus (our Copperhead snake) to discover what makes these rangers so special to Twin Lakes State Park.

Do you want to learn the history of the land that Kiptopeke is on today?

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

Join a Ranger and your fellow campers to hear about all of the different trails and activities the park has to offer and discover the history of the park. This is a great chance to ask questions about the park, local activities in the area, and future events at Grayson Highlands State Park.

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. .

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

As the sun dips low and the night draws near, we humans usually turn in for the night, but this is showtime for bats!

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

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

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

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.

Are you ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city?

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

Looking for a way to give back to nature and enjoy the outdoors?

Come experience the beautiful James River on this guided kayak tour with Virginia State Parks' Bay Experience team!

Tucked along the banks of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and in the shadows of the mountains, this race is beautiful, scenic, and fun.

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

Join Rangers for a morning of family fun, fishing and learning about the Potomac River.

Experience the James River like never before on this ranger-guided canoe float between Bent Creek and Canoe Landing!

Prowl the Powell and uncover the hidden wonders of our natural world.

Join us at Westmoreland State Park for Bird BINGO!

Join us in supporting out parks ecosystem by helping remove unwanted weeds from our pollinator garden and more!

This program will train guests to focus on the present moment, observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, and enhance their awareness of the mind-body connection.

Join the rangers to give back a bit of your time and help maintain the beauty of York River.

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.

Have you ever walked by the Timberneck house and wondered what it looks like from the inside and its restoration process?

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.

July is World Watercolor Month.

It was commonly known on the 18th century battlefield that “Artillery lent dignity to what would otherwise be considered a vulgar brawl.” Join us at Martin’s Station, visit with “Revenge” and her crew, and experience the equipment and techniques of artillery on the frontier during the American Revolution.

Express yourself on the trail with a stylish and unique hiking stick you designed and decorated yourself.

Join us as we open the doors to the old Norfolk and Western caboose 518517.

Ever wonder what animals call Kiptopeke home?

Join us for a guided hike that explores the fighting at the Harper Farm, one of the major actions that shaped the events of April 6, 1865.