Events in Virginia State Parks

Help us keep our public land trash-free by participating in a river cleanup!  We'll paddle 2 miles of our shoreline picking up trash in canoes or kayaks.

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

Evenings are a wonderful time in the park to be on the water.

Come celebrate Arbor Day with us! 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.

Tonight, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) with some fun trivia.

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

Everyone has heard of dancing in the moonlight, but what about kayaking?

Have you ever picked wild blackberries or collected wild herbs for a recipe?

Come gather around the campfire and immerse yourself in a night of fun.

Celebrate the beauty of autumn with a guided hike under the radiant Harvest Moon!

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.

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

One of the best times to be on Hungry Mother Lake is in the early mornings when no one else is on the lake.

Interested in learning about archery in an adult setting?

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 out environment.

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

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

The Friends of York River State Park is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the mission of the park: We champion the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of York River State Park's estuarine environment.

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

Do you love First Landing State Park and want to make a difference?

The Orionids meteor shower is an average meteor shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak.

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

Explore the 32-acre Prince Edward Lake, the larger of the park's two lakes, on this guided kayak paddle.

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.

Come out to the newly renovated Roanoke Station Nature Center!

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

Explore the 32-acre Prince Edward Lake, the larger of the park's two lakes, on this guided kayak paddle.

Experience the park in a whole new way.

Explore the universe, courtesy of the Crewe Astronomy Club.

The Rappahannock Astronomy Club is pleased to present an evening of deep space viewing.

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

Join certified Forest Therapy volunteer, Tina Hayes, for a relaxing program made to calm the mind.

"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.

One of the best times to be on Hungry Mother Lake is in the early mornings when no one else is on the lake.

The Fall 2026 installment of the Staunton River Star Party will be sponsored by CHAOS (Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society) and hosted at Staunton River State Park.

Want to make a difference at Douthat State Park?

The Draconids meteor shower is a minor meteor shower that produces only about 10 meteors per hour.

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!

Characterized through the intricate beauty of their respective artistry, craftsmen were a centralized point effecting economic and political life in colonial America.

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

"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.

Join us for a public viewing night during the Fall Staunton River Star Party.

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

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.

Experience a celebration of Southwest Virginia's unique cultural heritage.

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

Characterized through the intricate beauty of their respective artistry, craftsmen were a centralized point effecting economic and political life in colonial America.

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

It is time to put on your sweater and heat up soup.  Plants and animals from the tallest trees to the tiniest insects have been preparing for winter, too.  Join two master naturalist on a walk to explore those fascinating strategies.     This guided three-tenths of a mile gentle walk will meet at the Sensory Explorers’ Trail in the picnic area and will last approximately one hour.   For more information on the Virginia Master Naturalists please visit their website.   The Sensory Explorers' Trail is open for self-guided walks daily for people of all ages and has adaptations for the blind and visually impaired.

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

Experience Sky Meadows, an International Dark-Sky Park, at this monthly astronomical celebration!

Calling all amateur astronomers and people who enjoy the night sky! Join Natural Tunnel State Park astronomy volunteers and fellow astro-enthusiasts to mingle and observe what the night sky has to offer together.  These "parties" will take place at the Gazebo - the best viewing platform for the sky in the park and is meant to gather those whose goal is to observe, photograph and appreciate the night sky.

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.

See the stars and explore our night sky with park rangers at this International Dark Sky Park!

Characterized through the intricate beauty of their respective artistry, craftsmen were a centralized point effecting economic and political life in colonial America.

One of the best times to be on Hungry Mother Lake is in the early mornings when no one else is on the lake.

Stop by the Visitor Center and have the opportunity to view the sun through a telescope.

"A small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can indeed change the world." - Margaret Meade, Anthropologist Do you have a passion for teaching and being outdoors?

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

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

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

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

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

Experience the magic of autumn with the Fall Foliage Festival at Sky Meadows State Park!

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

ZOSO The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience returns once again to rock the Heritage Amphitheater.

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

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

James River State Park is a designated International Dark Sky park.

Join certified Forest Therapy volunteer, Tina Hayes, for a relaxing program made to calm the mind.

Experience the magic of autumn with the Fall Foliage Festival at Sky Meadows State Park!

Help support the park you love.

The Friends of Powhatan State Park is a group made up of citizen volunteers from Virginia’s Piedmont region who are passionate about supporting the park’s mission.

Enjoy pumpkin decorating, costume contests, and a community-based Trunk-or-Treat, where children can experience an old-fashioned Halloween in a fun and safe environment.

Our Friends Group is an organization of citizens who support our park's operations, events, and material needs through fund raising.

Ever wonder what goes on at night in a park?

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

“The Moon and stars are not above us; they are within us." --John Muir Come join our rangers on an evening hike through the Holly Marsh Trail to view the Full Moon rising above the Potomac River!

Explore an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night!

The Timberneck House got a new paint job last year!

Take a fall walk of exploration with two Virginia Master Naturalists in this third of a series of seasonal walks planned for children.

Join the Northern Virginia Association of Rocketry (NOVAAR) Club as their model rockets go up, up, and away.

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

Everyone has heard of dancing in the moonlight, but what about kayaking?

Known throughout history as a backdrop for adventure and freedom, the frontier concealed far more in the dark reaches of its hollows and hills.

Known throughout history as a backdrop for adventure and freedom, the frontier concealed far more in the dark reaches of its hollows and hills.

The Friends of York River State Park is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the mission of the park: We champion the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of York River State Park's estuarine environment.

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

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

Would you like to have the chance to explore the trails in Powhatan State Park and meet new people?

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

Step back in time as you explore the brand‑new interpretive trail at Green Pastures Recreation Area.

Gather around the crackling campfire for an evening of spine-tingling stories and eerie legends from Virginia State Parks' rich history!

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.

"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.

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

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

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