Events in Virginia State Parks

Explore the life cycle of butterflies.

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.

First Landing is home to many creatures both large and small.

Are all snakes venomous?

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

Hear the sound of axes.

We can tell a great deal about an animal’s adaptations by looking at their skins and skulls.

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?

Whether you're fascinated or a little rattled, snakes are a vital part of healthy ecosystems, and they’re not as scary as they seem.

Whether you're fascinated or a little rattled, snakes are a vital part of healthy ecosystems, and they’re not as scary as they seem.

Spend a relaxing afternoon surrounded by plants and fresh air in the Jean Livingston Brown Demonstration garden. Learn about pollinators, starting seeds, weeding, composting and more. .

Need a hiking stick or just want to embellish your own?

Want to save the bees, butterflies, birds, and more?  Just plant native!  Even the smallest pollinator-friendly patch will make a difference.  At our pollinator garden workshop, you'll learn everything you need to know to get started and receive a planning packet to help create your own pollinator habitat at home.

Where does your water go?

Visit the Powhatan Library for a special summer program presented by the volunteers of Family Learning Adventures and park rangers from Powhatan State Park. This STEAM-focused "Nature Lab" series invites you to explore the different books, games, and learning kits you can check out and take home with you to learn more about nature and the environment.

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

Hop on over for a hands-on adventure into the world of frogs. Join park staff as we search for some of Virginia’s native frog species and their tadpoles.

Join us for a Kayak Paddle trip to fossil beach!

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

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

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

Look up and learn about tree diversity in the park!

Explore the wonders of the Tutelo Trail with our park interpreter.

Learn everything you need to know to freshwater fish on your own with our fin-tastic fishing workshop! All you need to bring is yourself and a freshwater fishing license if above the age of 15.

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

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

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

Stop by and investigate the variety of flora and fauna found around Smith Mountain Lake.

Get ready to explore some of the littlest life in our park at Bugs and Beyond!

Second only to humans in the ability to change their environment to fit their needs, learn just how smart a beaver can be.

Explore the Chesapeake Bay through the animals that live in it!

Imagine spending your afternoon by the water, catching dragonflies and damselflies discovering all the little details you usually miss.

Discover what the tiny creatures living beneath the water’s surface can tell us about the health of a stream.

Step into the shoes of an archaeologist and uncover the secrets of an owl’s diet!

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.

Joining a park ranger for a fun reading adventure!

It's feeding time in our Chesapeake Bay Lab!

The Civilian Conservation Corps (1933-1942) developed patches that were used by the enrollees as a means to identify others of their duties.

Customize your hiking stick and suddenly every trail feels more personal.

Just because we don’t always spot them, we know the animals are around by the tracks and traces they leave behind.

What is the perfect sized walking stick for you?

Virginia is home to a healthy population of black bears; do you know what to do if you encounter one?

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.

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

Create a hand-made, nature-inspired souvenir to take home.

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

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

Ever wondered what critters are crawling beneath the surface of a stream? Join us on a fun adventure as we search the stream for interesting, tiny critters: freshwater invertebrates.

We want YOU to be a part of our park's mission!

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.

Ready for a bat-tastic hike at night?

Step into the quiet, mysterious woods of Douthat State Park after dark for an unforgettable experience.

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

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.

Let us teach you all the basics you'll need to know to get yourself started with one of our most popular outdoor activities, from tying on your hook and tackle to casting your line.

Put away your smartphone and plot a course for adventure with this introduction to the sport of orienteering.

Can you track the ranger out on the trail?

Start your day with a gentle adventure designed especially for young explorers and their families.

Introduced by the National Parks, B.A.R.K.

Join a ranger to learn about science, history, and nature at Leesylvania State Park!

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

How can we be more sustainable when practicing our favorite hobbies?

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

Most people don't like to drop their camera in the lake, but the rangers at the park will do it on purpose.

Spot a Roaming Ranger out on the trails!

Migrate to the Discovery Center to learn about the fascinating "Fish Hawk".

Join Ranger Madison on a hike to learn the wonders of Bear Creek. This walk of about one half mile walk over moderately terrain will take us along the lake and stream side as well as higher ground.

Fly through the gardens of Twins Lakes State Park on your quest to find resources and claim your flower before it's gone! Join us for this "musical chairs" based program competing to keep your resources before habitat loss ensues.

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

Visit a Ranger at Massie Gap to learn about different creatures that live within the park.

Explore the Chesapeake Bay through the animals that live in it!

Join us as we learn more about the prehistoric history of Chippokes State Park through fossils that can be found right on our beaches!

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.

Put away your smartphone and plot a course for adventure with this introduction to the sport of orienteering.

Bees get all the credit, but they're not the only pollinators.

Try your hand at panning for gold in the James River while discovering Virginia’s unique geology.

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

Meet Natural Tunnel's wildlife ambassador, Popcorn the corn snake.

The rangers will have a variety of craft materials available so you can let your creativity flow like Swift Creek. This program encourages artistic expression, enhances fine motor skills and encourages teamwork.

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.

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

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

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

Get to know the park's ambassador reptiles: a sweet juvenile cornsnake and a spunky mud turtle! You'll examine turtle shells, skeletons, and skins, and on feeding days you may even be able to watch as a park ranger feeds them their favorite meal.

Explore the remains of the Goodwin Gold Mine and learn how gold was discovered here by stepping in the stream, getting wet, and learning the techniques to pan for gold! This is a hands-on historical activity demonstration; everything found during panning must remain at the site except gold and pyrite.

What is North America's only native marsupial?

The library is coming to the park!

While designing a cool animal tooth necklace, learn how to to identify different animal skulls like a mini wildlife scientist.

Ever wondered what makes coyotes such successful survivors in our backyards and beyond?

Ever wondered what stories Douthat State Park holds?

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

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.

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

Stop by for a sneak peek into the developing Virginia State Park's B.A.R.K Ranger program and upcoming dog-focused events at Belle Isle.

Are you trying to secure the tarp over your tent, or interested in how to keep your boat or canoe tied up so that it won't float away?

Ever wondered what you could do with what's under your feet?

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!