Events in Virginia State Parks

Established as a private residence in 1659, Caledon has a long and storied history.

Join us at Sky Meadows State Park for a celebration of history and culture as we recognize the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s 100th Anniversary and Virginia State Parks’ 90th Anniversary on Sunday, 14 June 2026. The program will kick-off with a one hour Range-led presentation and question-and-answer period in the Carriage Barn adjacent to the main parking lot.  Trace the history of the preservation and protection of natural, historical, and cultural resources through the evolution of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia State Parks, culminating in the story of Sky Meadows and ongoing efforts to serve future generations.

Head on over to the park to learn about Ranger Parker Red Fox, the Virginia State Parks mascot.

When armies clashed during the American Civil War, often times following a battle bizarre, inexplicable, curious, strange twists of fate and ironic circumstance astonishingly revealed themselves.

Celebrate Virginia history and culture with a tour of the Goodwin Gold Mine at Lake Anna! Follow the journey of prospector Stampmill Sam as we explore the lives of Virginia gold miners and the lasting legacy of the Virginia Gold Rush on the Lake Anna area. Dive deeper into the ancient history of our landscape and learn how forces of nature brought gold to the surface of Earth. Then, we’ll pan for gold in the same stream where prospectors once hunted for this elusive mineral.   Please arrive at the Visitor Center 10 minutes before the start time of your tour. Guests will be collected from the Visitor Center for a 5-10 minute drive to the mine site. The tour will last 1 hour and includes 0.5 miles of hiking over hilly terrain with frequent stops.  Wear sturdy walking shoes that can get wet.

Come to the Visitor Center and learn about local artist, Palmer Hayden, before grabbing a watercolor kit and finding a nature scene at the park to paint in your own style!

Stop by our pop-up booth on the boardwalk and test your knowledge of First Landing State Park!

Basket weaving has been an important craft for thousands of years. Try your hand at this ancient process and learn about the history of weaving in the area, as well as how to harvest and weave Japanese honeysuckle (and other invasive plants).

Discover the art of journaling in the wild with a ranger.

Let your creativity run wild as you dive into a world of nature-themed crafting fun. Young artists can choose from a variety of nature-inspired crafts such as animal masks, opossum puppets, butterflies, turkeys, or even a batteau craft.

Westmoreland State Park is home to four different ambassador animals: Reba the corn snake, Stevie the king snake, and two red-eared sliders, Venus and Jennika.

From forts to farms to state parks, the property of Hayfields has taken many forms, what can we learn from each change?

The trash and litter we leave behind can hurt the environment.

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.

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

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.

This is a “casting” call for miniatures enthusiasts and historic craft fans!

Pottery and ceramics have been made and used by humans across the world for nearly 30,000 years.

"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?

Learn about the fascinating history of our park, our lake, and the surrounding area.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Ever wonder what dolls of the 18th century frontier looked like or what they were made of?

Do you have a passion for nature, environmental education, and wish to make a difference?

Ever wanted to learn to crab?

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

Help us Save The Monarchs at Holliday Lake State Park!

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

Join our rangers on a short stroll and tour of the historic Howe House as we discuss how the park came to be.

Bring the whole family for a fun and interactive look at how camping in Virginia State Parks has changed over the last 90 years!

Come with us on a guided canoe tour of the beautiful lake at Fairy Stone State Park.

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

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.

Become a Junior Ranger at False Cape State Park!

This summer the Junior Ranger program is exploring the outdoors through the elements, and Week 2 is Water!

Discover your park perspective!

Who wants to be a junior ranger?  Join us for our junior ranger camp for ages 10-12 from Monday, June 15, to Thursday, June 18!

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.

Help us celebrate Virginia State Parks 90th Birthday!  While Hayfields may not have been a state park 90 years ago, we are one of the newest parts of Virginia State Parks history.

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.

Calling all Junior Rangers!

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

The Visitor Center at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park offers a museum filled with treasured artifacts discovered over the years where the last major fight of the American Civil War in Virginia occurred on April 6, 1865.

Tours of the Hillsman House, a National Historic Landmark, are available to the public by request.

A Self-Guided Driving Tour of Sailor's Creek Battlefield is available to visitors year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield offers six, self-guided Hiking Trails with historic markers for the public to explore year round during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).

Join us on a real or virtual hike through Claytor Lake State Park as we take a closer look at some of the beautiful native trees.

Did you know that Haven Howe was an early advocate for environmental reform in Virginia? Participate in person or virtually as we examine the fine craftsmanship of the Howe House and learn of its builder, inhabitants, and history.

Stop by the fishing area behind Howe House to check out our EnChroma color blind scenic viewer.

Contribute to citizen science by helping us create a time lapse of this mysterious site.

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

Take a hike back in time by visiting our tour points located at the same location as our collection of photos and videos from past years at Claytor Lake State Park and Claytor Lake.

Groups or individuals can adopt a section of a trail or a trail within our 7-mile park trail system.

Request a ranger to give your family or group a chance to get a more personalized experience at Claytor Lake State Park.

Earn your junior ranger patch through a variety of programs and fun family activities.  Visit the park office (the Howe House), gift shop, or contact station for a copy of our junior ranger booklet, or you can download it from the link below.

Nothing beats a ranger-led program in one of our parks.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, Douthat State Park is a great place to bring your group for a day of hands-on, outdoor learning.

Be you a teacher, camp counselor, homeschool instructor, or troop leader, you are invited to schedule your group's next field trip or educational program with Widewater State Park!

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

No matter your role—teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or beyond—we invite you to plan your group’s next field trip to Twin Lakes State Park.

Looking for hands-on, memorable outdoor learning?

Wake up, lace up, and head outside with the Friends of Seven Bends State Park Walker's Club!  Join the group every Monday and Friday at 7:50 a.m. on a morning hike to enjoy cool air, quiet trails, and amazing views.

Whether you are a teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, we are inviting you to plan your groups' next field trip to Fairy Stone State Park.

Earn your Junior Ranger badge at Sky Meadows State Park!

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

Enjoy a self-guided tour as you walk down to see the Natural Tunnel.

As you explore the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and the surrounding area, discover what makes this building so unique as well as what was commonly used on the frontier for survival during the 18th Century.

Stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a copy of a self-guided brochure on the “Common Trees of Virginia”.

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

Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, Leesylvania State Park is a great place to bring your group for hands-on, outdoor learning.

Belle Isle State Park is looking for the next generation of ranger, are you ready to give it a try?

Belle Isle State Park has some great activities that you can do on your own schedule.

At one time, the New River marked the westernmost edge of the backcountry frontier.

Stop by Hungry Mother's Discovery Center and ask the front desk rangers about our Park Packs.

Make your park visit even more exciting by stopping by the Visitor Center to pick up an Adventure Pack!

Ready for a modern-day treasure hunt?

Stop by the Visitor Center for a list of items to find.

Did you know that James River State Park is an International Dark Sky Park?

Become a Junior Ranger today and earn your Official Junior Ranger Badge!

Come meet our turtle and snake animal ambassadors and explore the museum to learn about the history of the James River and the wildlife that calls this park home through interactive displays and taxidermy exhibits.

The park has over 12 miles of beautiful hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to moderate.

Are you looking for a great activity for the kids that is both fun and educational?

Discover the secrets of the park through geocaching.

Biking is a wonderful activity to do here in the park.

Smith Mountain Lake is the perfect location for fishing.

The night sky is alive with shifting constellations all year long.

Swing by the kiosk at the Spillway, grab one of our special adventure brochures, and gear up for some messy, hands-on fun with our seasonal scavenger hunts for kids.

Ready to turn your hike into a woodland quest?

Stop by the Discovery Center and grab a booklet that will take your whole family on an adventure through time at Hungry Mother State Park.

Find the special Track Trail kiosk at the corner of Parking Lot 6 and grab a brochure packed with adventures just for kids.

If you like to paddle and are excited to discover the native plants and wildlife that thrive here at Hungry Mother, you’re in the right place.