Events in Virginia State Parks

A nearly century-long tradition continues as the Natural Bridge is bathed in light the last Saturday night of every month (plus holiday weekends), April through October.  Experience the 200-foot-tall arch as it is lit from above and below by dozens of lights, with the only sound being the murmuring of Cedar Creek running below.

Whoooooo wants to go on a spooky after-dark adventure to search for owls on the trails?

Step into the dark and join us for a fun and wild night walk into the secret world of spiders!

Join us for a series of gentle outdoor experiences designed for women who want to reconnect with nature, themselves, and each other.

"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.

Enjoy the Autumn days while also helping out your state parks! Check out some of Widewater's Autumn volunteer opportunities below.  Educational Volunteer Opportunities Federal Duck Stamp Class: September 19th, October 17th, & November 21st Natural Resource Management Japanese Silt Grass Removal: September 25th Beaver Dam Trail Maintenance: October 24th & November 21st Recreation & Special Events Volunteer Appreciation Event: October 3rd **Registration Required Trek n' Treat Trail - Decoration Setup: October 11th  - Decoration Takedown: November 1st Saturday, September 19th : Waterway Cleanups Summer Cleanup on the Aquia Creek Join this Stafford-based non-profit as they help keep Aquia Creek clean of trash and debris via kayaks in their Autumn cleanup at the park.

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.

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.

Touch, smell, and explore the interactive Pelts and Skulls Discovery Wall at the Visitor Center and see if you can guess which animals they belong to from 10:00am-4:00pm during this self-guided exhibit experience.

Celebrate National Family Literacy Month with our Trail Tale series through the month of November.

Come watch our resident snakes enjoy their mealtime!

Come join Ranger Webb-Watkins for an orientation tour of the Battle of Cedar Mountain!

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

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.

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

Westmoreland State Park is home to 5 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.

Stop by the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and step back in time to experience aspects of life on the frontier.

Join us for a fun, nature focused, family crafting experience.

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

Stop by our parks' pop-up ranger program to learn about a variety of topics, from historical facts to life cycles of our park animals.

Discover the timeless art of pine needle basket weaving and unlock your creativity with this hands-on workshop.

Join Ranger Webb-Watkins on an in-depth exploration of the Battle of Cedar Mountain.

From farm to table, the food we eat has a story.

Join us on a guided golf cart tour of High Bridge where we will learn about the bridge's history and the role it played in the American Civil War.

From farm to table, the food we eat has a story.

Join us at Douthat State Park for Homeschool Naturalists, a monthly outdoor education series designed for homeschool students of all ages.

From farm to table, the food we eat has a story.

From farm to table, the food we eat has a story.

The Friends of Occoneechee State Park is a citizens support organization that supports the park's mission.

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

Just as caterpillars grow and change, our Caterpillar Club programs are designed to help your little one grow and change.

Join a Park Ranger for a nature themed storytime program.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is delighted to announce the 2026 fall semester of the WiseJAMS Music Program!

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

The Leonids meteor shower is an average meteor shower producing up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak.

From the small eastern screech owl to the great horned owl, eight species of owls call Virginia home part or all of the year.   Get a glimpse into the mysterious world of our elusive nocturnal raptors.

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.

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.

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

The library is coming to the park!

Have you explored Virginia's newest state park and hiked the Laurel Loop Trail?

High Bridge has long stood at the crossroads of technology, war, and community life.

What better way to explore a Dark Sky Park than "shooting stars" through the Natural Bridge?

Join astronomers from the Echo Ridge Astronomical Society for a night of awe and wonder.

Welcome to Fairy Stone State Park!

Take a wander in the woods with a ranger as the moon and stars guide our path, and we celebrate the silent flyers of the night, the owls of Lake Anna State Park, by calling out to owls and seeing "whoooo" hoots back!

Chippokes State Park is proud to partner with the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers Club to introduce a special dark night sky and stargazing opportunity for all to enjoy. Club members will use their telescopes to share the night time sky with park visitors.  Visitors will be free to ask questions, observe, and look through telescopes during this public viewing outreach event.

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

Experience American Civil War history firsthand as soldiers of the 19th Virginia Infantry establish a period encampment at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park and invite the public to step into the daily life of a soldier on campaign in 1865.

Join us for our final garden workday of 2026.

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

How did African slavery begin in the Virginia Colony and did they seek freedom from their condition?  Did any European indentured servants and Native Americans resist their lot as well?  Walking with us you will discover stories of rebellious conspiracies and courageous runaways and how they overcame the challenging terrain of Tidewater Virginia to elude their oppressors. .

Overlooking the New River, the Shot Tower was built in the 1800s to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers.

Celebrate art, wine, and the natural beauty of Caledon State Park at the 21st annual Art & Wine Festival!

Come celebrate national bird day with this fun Birding Bingo.

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

Can you track the ranger out on the trail?

Let’s shed our fear of snakes!

Step back in time as we uncover some of the mysteries of those at rest in the park's historic cemetery.

How did African slavery begin in the Virginia Colony and did they seek freedom from their condition?  Did any European indentured servants and Native Americans resist their lot as well?  Walking with us you will discover stories of rebellious conspiracies and courageous runaways and how they overcame the challenging terrain of Tidewater Virginia to elude their oppressors. .

Explore the museum as you learn about the history of Pocahontas State Park and the Civilian Conservation Corps.

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

Join a ranger to learn the history of paracord, basic knots and make a paracord key chain so you are prepared for your outdoor adventures.

This ranger-led walk will explore how the park's woodlands and waters prepare for winter.

Come join Ranger Webb-Watkins for an orientation tour of the Battle of Cedar Mountain!

Watch our ecosystem change before your very eyes on this Ranger led program!

Have you watched for waterfowl?

Enjoy a pack walk with other pups as you and your canine companion have a dog gone good time becoming a B.A.R.K.

Join us on the first Saturday of the month from May to November to experience the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of history at Sky Meadows.

From farm to table, the food we eat has a story.

Join us as we explore how local wildlife adapts to the changing seasons through migration, food storage, and changes in behavior.

Black bears are one of the many incredible mammals that dwell in Douthat State Park.

Trees are life-givers and inspiration for many art forms.

Explore the history of the Occoneechee Plantation on this one-mile guided hike around the Plantation Trail.

Stop by our parks' pop-up ranger program to learn about a variety of topics, from historical facts to life cycles of our park animals.

Joining a park ranger for a fun reading adventure!

Happy fall, y'all!

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.

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.

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!

Animals and plants come in all kinds of colors, but why the variety?

Ever wondered what a skunk’s fur feels like, or how big a bobcat’s skull really is?

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.

Turkeys are terrific! Join our rangers to discover more about the real lives of wild turkeys in Virginia.

Nature Journals are great way to practice intentional observation of your surroundings.

The forests are full of things both delicious and dangerous, but can you tell which is which?

Parents, you spoke, and we listened!  We're excited to introduce our first toddler series: Little Wanderers.

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Join a ranger in making your very own shark tooth earrings or necklace!

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

When a tree falls in the forest, what happens next?

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.

Does your pup have what it takes to be a B.A.R.K.

Come find us in the museum at the Visitor Center as we get hands on with skulls and furs from Virginia’s native animals.

Join an Interpreter and learn about the seasonal movement of our flighted friends along the Atlantic Flyway.

Join a ranger to learn about the wild animals found at Belle Isle State Park that delight your senses.

Stop by the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center and learn more about the people who lived on the Wilderness Road frontier.