Events in Virginia State Parks

Ever wanted to learn to crab?

Experience a restorative experience where forest and water meet hosted by Imagine Well Being.

Join a ranger for a guided hike through Laurel Loop and explore the native and invasive trees to Hayfields State Park.

Did you know that opossums roamed the earth with the dinosaurs and that raccoons have “hands” like ours? Wonder what other secrets these critters hold? Join us to discover little known facts about these amazing animals and how they benefit humans.

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.  Parks are for everyone.

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

Do you know who's bones these are?

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

Frogs, crawdads, and children - oh my!

Can you shout out BINGO first?  Join us for birding bingo, a guided birding hike along the Bluebell Trail.

Have you ever wondered what secrets the natural world holds? This drop-in program offers a unique opportunity to meet with Virginia Master Naturalists who will be available to answer all your nature-related questions.

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

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 life cycle of butterflies.

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.

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Have you ever bumped into one of our tall bark-covered residents and wondered who it is you've just run into?

Join our rangers for a look at the skins and skulls of fauna you can find at Hayfields State Park.

Beat the heat at our River Bend Discovery Center!

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

Is the opossum misunderstood?

So many adventures happen on the Bullpasture River, but what’s happening below the water surface?

With warmer wetter weather comes springtime fungi!

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.

Animals may be shy, but they leave plenty of clues behind.

Are all snakes venomous?

Learn about the long, rich history of Virginia’s tobacco production on a short hike around Smith Mountain Lake State Park’s tobacco barn.

Ever wondered how you stack up against some of the largest birds in the sky?

Do you enjoy coffee, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables?

Join Virginia Master Naturalist and amateur mycologist Adam Boring for an evening exploring the fascinating “Wood Wide Web.” Discover the diverse mushrooms of Southwest Virginia—from deadly toxic species to tasty edibles, rare finds, and hidden beauties of the fungal world.

Did you know that people have been using plants to dye fabric for centuries?

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

Allow the evening to envelop you and enjoy a hay wagon ride with our park guide.

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.

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

Spend time paddling down the Clinch River.

Yes, you too can canoe!

This trail begins on Iron Mine Trail and features an iron mine once used by Fayerdale residents, as well as an overlook of Fairy Stone Lake.

Through history, people have utilized plants to survive, out of which have come special relationships.

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

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

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

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.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

Have you ever wondered what swims in the shallows at Kiptopeke?

Use your detective skills to piece together the stories that animals, including humans, have left behind.

Slow down and take in the beauty of the James River and its vibrant landscapes!

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. .

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets of the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

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.

Scurry on over to investigate the secret life of a bug.

Ever cared to create art outdoors?

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.

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

Do you feel safer walking with a friend?

Calling all bird lovers, do you know how to identify a bird by its song?

Have you ever shot a bow and arrow before?

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

Meet with a ranger and go on a guided hike along the Lakeshore Trail (0.81mi.).

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Take a fascinating hike and discover the rich history of James River State Park, from ancient fossils to the American Civil War and beyond.

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

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

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

Art or Trash?

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

Did you know owls get 'hairballs?' About once a day, an owl spits up a ball of hair and bones called an owl pellet which is actually the 'leftovers' from their most recent meals.

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

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.

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

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

Take a look at the fascinating lives of insects and let your creative juices flow.

Did you know that opossums roamed the earth with the dinosaurs and that raccoons have “hands” like ours? Wonder what other secrets these critters hold? Join us to discover little known facts about these amazing animals and how they benefit humans.

Imagine a world without fruits and veggies; they could not exist without pollinators!

Trees are vital to our environment.

Who made those footprints?

Discover the “bear facts” about Fairy Stone State Park’s black bears at our ranger-led program. Learn about their characteristics, habits, how to avoid conflicts, and much more.

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

Powhatan State Parks presents a night of firefly activities including a hayride to witness the magical twinkling display through the rolling hills, meadows, and trees.

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

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!

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

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.

Meet with a ranger and go on a one-mile guided hike along the Oak Hickory Trail, rated as a moderate hike.

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

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

Spot a Roaming Ranger out on the trails!

Beat the heat at our River Bend Discovery Center!

Come celebrate national bird day with this fun Birding Bingo.

Producing textiles, basketry, pottery, woodworking and many more crafts and trades were vital to success in early America.

Are you Bear Aware?

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

How can you determine the approximate age of a box turtle?

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

Explore how birds, bats, bees, and other pollinators aid in the life cycle of plants and flowers with a fun game inspired by green light, red light.  Parks are for everyone.

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.

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

Have you ever wondered what owls look like, what they eat, or where they live?

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