Events in Virginia State Parks

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

Join us for a Kayak Paddle trip to fossil beach!

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

Come join the monthly meeting of the Widewater State Park Friend's Group!

Discover your park perspective!

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!

This summer the Junior Ranger program is exploring the outdoors through the elements, and Week 4 is Air!

Discover your park perspective!

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?

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.

Join us for a special night hike through False Cape State Park.

Discover your park perspective!

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.

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

It's World Snake Day, so slither over to Westmoreland State Park for a fun snake themed craft!

Discover your park perspective!

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!

Who's tracks are those?

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.

The Perseids meteor shower is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.

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 Bent Creek and Canoe Landing!

Discover your park perspective!

What is a Box Turtles favorite food?

10 and 2, 10 and 2, get into the rhythm of fly fishing.

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?

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

The Judd's Music in the Park proudly presents the return of the SML Boomer Band.

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!

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

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

"The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson With the use of a Celestron telescope, view the astral bodies up close and learn about the history of the stars.

Get knee-deep in the Shenandoah during Fly Fishing 101!  Join us for an introductory fly-fishing program designed to teach you all the basics you need to start catching fish on a fly.

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

Experience paddling on one of Virginia's most beautiful and historic waterways: the James River.

Start your weekend with fresh air, beautiful scenery, camaraderie, and a feeling of accomplishment.

Ready to hit the water with confidence?

Join us on a ranger-led hike to certify your canine companion as a New River Trail State Park B.A.R.K Ranger!    The B.A.R.K.

Discover the wonderful world beneath your feet!

Follow the journey of prospector Stampmill Sam as we explore the lives of Virginia gold miners and the lasting legacy of the Virginia Gold Rush on the Lake Anna area.

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

Follow the journey of prospector Stampmill Sam as we explore the lives of Virginia gold miners and the lasting legacy of the Virginia Gold Rush on the Lake Anna area.

Ever wonder what animals call Kiptopeke home?

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

Come ssssee what Wilderness Road State Park has to offer on World Snake Day!

Join us at the Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Visitor Center on Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th at 1:00 p.m. for an in-depth look at the Federal generals who commanded during the Battles of Sailor’s Creek.

How well do you know our native Virginia snakes?

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.

Follow the journey of prospector Stampmill Sam as we explore the lives of Virginia gold miners and the lasting legacy of the Virginia Gold Rush on the Lake Anna area.

Art in the Park programs explore connections between art and the natural world through a hands-on project each month.  This month's program is Nature Painting.

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

Meet Lake Anna State Park's animal ambassadors Flick, General Raphael, and Julia at the Visitor Center. Learn about the important roles Virginia reptiles play in the environment, snake safety tips, and what you can do to help protect wild reptiles.

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

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?

Join us for the 2026 season of Music by the River, one of the highlights of the summer on Virginia’s Northern Neck.

Mark your calendars, music on the cliffs is back and we want you to join us for this amazing summer concert series overlooking the Potomac River! Music on the cliff is our parks outdoor concert series where you can unwind and experience great local music in a beautiful natural setting.  While you're here, grab a drink from General’s Ridge Vineyard and enjoy food from a local food truck. Don’t forget your lawn chair or blanket!  This event is brought to you by the Friends of Westmoreland State Park.

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

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!

Who cooks for you?

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.

Join astronomy volunteers as they share the stories written in the night sky.

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.

Step into the hidden world of nocturnal insects as Fairy Stone State Park comes alive after dark.

Looking for a fun way to explore the park at your own pace?

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

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 archery session offers instruction for beginners and shooting time for the more experienced. It begins with a talk on archery equipment, technique, and safety.

Ever wonder what animals call Kiptopeke home?

Follow the journey of prospector Stampmill Sam as we explore the lives of Virginia gold miners and the lasting legacy of the Virginia Gold Rush on the Lake Anna area.

Did you know that Westmoreland is one of the original State Parks in Virginia?

Take your first steps on the path to adventure! Hiking is a year-round activity that you can enjoy with friends, family, a k-9 companion or on your own.

Stop by the turtle pond where a ranger will be stationed to provide information about Virginia’s native turtle species.

Follow the journey of prospector Stampmill Sam as we explore the lives of Virginia gold miners and the lasting legacy of the Virginia Gold Rush on the Lake Anna area.

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

Interested in learning about archery in an adult setting?

Join us at the Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Visitor Center on Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th at 1:00 p.m. for an in-depth look at the Federal generals who commanded during the Battles of Sailor’s Creek.

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.

Follow the journey of prospector Stampmill Sam as we explore the lives of Virginia gold miners and the lasting legacy of the Virginia Gold Rush on the Lake Anna area.

Are you ready to broaden your horizons beyond car camping and enjoy a more challenging and immersive camping experience?

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

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

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. .

This land-based, hook-free fishing game is a fun and safe way to learn how to cast, but even those who are fishing fanatics will enjoy trying to beat out the competition in this game of limited resources.