Events in Virginia State Parks

Join a ranger to learn about the many birds that call Belle Isle home, including the Turkey!

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

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

Virginia is home to a very smart, and often mischievous animal, Ursus americanus, or the American Black Bear.

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

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

How did soldiers sleep after a march?

Bring your canine companion and join the B.A.R.K.

Come create your own fire starter for your next camping adventure.

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.

Join us at the Big Water Visitor Center to discover why Virginia's Eastern Shore is one of the Western Hemisphere's best hot spots for birdwatching.

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!

Join us at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park for a unique look at one of the American Civil War's most unexpected stories.

You are invited to slow down, step outside, and discover how nature journaling can change the way you notice the world around you.

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.

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

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

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

Nature provides colorful outdoor scenery during the Autumn months.

Ready to have some tail-wagging fun in the outdoors?

Fishing is a timeliness tradition passed down from generation to generation.

Students K-12 in public, private, or homeschool are encouraged to participate in our Junior Duck Stamp Education series, where they will learn about native waterfowl, wetlands, and conservation, as well as the history of waterfowl hunting on the Widewater peninsula.

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

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.

Have you ever wondered what different animals furs feel like?

Have you ever wondered how snakes can swallow something as big as their own heads?

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.

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

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

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.

Come make your own unique, nature-themed keepsake at our come-and-go craft station in the Big Water Visitor Center!

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

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.

Tuesday is the full beaver moon and we are looking for signs beavers leave behind along White Oak Swamp.

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

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

Through trail, stone, and timber, the CCC carved a legacy that still shapes Douthat today.

Join a ranger-led hike to catch glimpses of the full moon.

Watch the full moon rise over the Blue Ridge Mountains at this International Dark Sky Park!

Ever wondered how dugout canoes were made during the Woodland period of Virginia?

Bring your four legged best friend for a ranger lead walk in the park and have your pup be certified as an official York River State Park B.A.R.K.

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!

The cooler, quieter months are some of the best times to explore the scenic beaches of First Landing.

Become a Trail Hero on this family-friendly, ranger-led hike around Old Pond Trail as we explore steps we can take to recreate responsibly and share the trails with wildlife, other hikers, and the land.

Become a Trail Hero on this family-friendly, ranger-led hike around Old Pond Trail as we explore steps we can take to recreate responsibly and share the trails with wildlife, other hikers, and the land.

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

How did soldiers sleep after a march?

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

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.

Join us at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park for a unique look at one of the American Civil War's most unexpected stories.

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.

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.

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.

Interested in learning about archery in an adult setting?

What does making a fire and baking have in common?

Join us in celebrating the Thanksgiving season by making Hand Turkeys.

We are looking for eager volunteers of all skill level to help us repair and maintain our trails!

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.

“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!

Ever wondered how dugout canoes were made during the Woodland period of Virginia?

BYOB "Bring your own Binoculars" and join an Interpretive Ranger on this adult only program for some quiet, laid-back birding around Old Pond Trail and Campground Walkway.

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

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.

Join a ranger at the Upper Beach Parking Area to view the night sky during the full moon.  A telescope will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

Kick off your Thanksgiving morning with a refreshing, moderate 2-mile out-and-back hike to the beautiful Tye River Overlook! This guided hike follows a scenic forested trail with steady elevation gain, offering great views and a peaceful way to start the holiday.

Virginia State Parks license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.

Virginia State Park license plate owners will receive free parking on the following dates, as well as special discounts and offers provided throughout the year.

Grab the leash and join us for a late-season B.A.R.K.

Join us for a guided hike through the diverse wetland ecosystems of First Landing State Park, where five unique trails come together to showcase nature’s own “trail mix.” This immersive journey will take you through a variety of wetland habitats- including cypress swamps, salt marshes, and maritime forests.

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

Join us for hot chocolate and a hike across our forest and marshes to talk about how the park is changing for the winter.

Forgo the shopping and take a hike with a park ranger.

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

Why spend a delightful autumn day Black Friday shopping when instead you could spend some time savoring autumn air and counting your blessings? Stretch your legs by taking a walk with a ranger who will point out how the forest welcomes winter.

Before furnaces, refrigerators, and grocery stores, winter preparation was essential for survival.

Bring your canine companion and join the B.A.R.K.

Start a new tradition the Friday after Thanksgiving and #OptOutside at False Cape State Park.

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.

Skip the lines and shop for shark teeth on the shoreline of the Potomac!

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.

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

What bird lives most of its life on the ground, can fly as fast as a car, and was almost our national bird?

The holiday season is upon us, so stop at this event to decorate for winter or a special occasion using natural materials we will provide.

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!

Join a ranger and explore the world of our bushy-tailed friends, from their fascinating life cycle to their clever winter behaviors.

Escape the Black Friday madness and head to the woods!

Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month by trying your hand at net making and learn more about the indigenous people that once used the park as seasonal fishing grounds.

Turn your found fossils into wearable art!

Take a guided stroll through the vibrant salt marsh along the Cape Henry Trail and uncover the hidden life of this vital wetland ecosystem.

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

Let us keep the kids entertained while the adults set up or take a break from setting up and stop by for a quick craft; discussion of Belle Isle's history; or a lesson on critters.