Events in Virginia State Parks

The Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park presents Lights at the Lake. Entrance is a cash or toy donation to benefit the Cumberland Christmas Mother.

The Geminids meteor shower is considered by many to be the best of the year, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

Join us on a guided golf cart tour of High Bridge where we will learn about the bridge's history and the role it played in the American Civil War.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

"As long as a live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing." -- John Muir Widewater State Park is pleased to offer Winter Birding Walks from November 2026 thru March 2027!  Join our experienced birder and volunteer, Lisa, on an exploration of our incredibly diverse park throughout the cooler months.

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

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

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

Watch the biggest meteor shower of the year with our park rangers at this International Dark Sky Park.

The Taurids is a long-running minor meteor shower producing only about 5-10 meteors per hour.

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

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

The Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park presents Lights at the Lake. Entrance is a cash or toy donation to benefit the Cumberland Christmas Mother.

As you ride down on the chairlift and make your way to the tunnel, you will be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and see animated Christmas displays.

Join the rangers to give back a bit of your time and help maintain the beauty of York River.

During the Festival of Trees, local organizations are asked to decorate a holiday tree to represent themselves in the community.

Bundle up and join us for a peaceful winter walk as we explore the James River State Park in search of its seasonal birdlife!

Join a ranger on this one-mile trek and discover the different flora and fauna that can be found in the winter. Be sure to wear warm, comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a water bottle if possible.

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

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

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

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

So you wanna be a BARK Ranger?

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

We would like to introduce you to “Boxer” the box turtle.

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

The Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park presents Lights at the Lake. Entrance is a cash or toy donation to benefit the Cumberland Christmas Mother.

Visit James River for a chance to view one of the richest meteor showers of the year!

 As you ride down on the chairlift and make your way to the tunnel, you will be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and see animated Christmas displays.

Come join the storytellers from CHAOS (Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society) on the Observation Field to share the stories of the stars.

Winter’s Embrace Wellness Series: Bundle Up & Turn Within A seasonal women’s wellness series inviting us to slow down, turn inward, nurture what matters, and gently awaken with the changing seasons.

During the Festival of Trees, local organizations are asked to decorate a holiday tree to represent themselves in the community.

Come watch our resident snakes enjoy their mealtime!

Can you maintain ecosystem equilibrium?

Bodies of water attract wildlife; therefore, they are great places to look for animal tracks.

"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?

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

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

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

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

The Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park presents Lights at the Lake. Entrance is a cash or toy donation to benefit the Cumberland Christmas Mother.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

Join us on a guided golf cart tour of High Bridge where we will learn about the bridge's history and the role it played in the American Civil War.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

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.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

The Ursids meteor shower is a minor meteor shower producing 5-10 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 an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night!

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

Don your ugliest holiday attire and join us for a night of festivities!

"As long as a live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing." -- John Muir Widewater State Park is pleased to offer Winter Birding Walks from November 2026 thru March 2027!  Join our experienced birder and volunteer, Lisa, on an exploration of our incredibly diverse park throughout the cooler months.

Start your weekend with fresh air, beautiful scenery, camaraderie, and a feeling of accomplishment.

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

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

Explore the park’s expansive wetlands with us as we search for and identify the plants and animals that call this unique habitat home.

Have you watched for waterfowl?

This December, homeschoolers will learn about forces of nature.

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.

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

Let your creativity flow at our Creation Station, where you can create your favorite animal mask, opossum puppet, turkey, butterfly, or batteau craft.

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.

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

We would like to introduce you to “Boxer” the box turtle.

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is pleased to present special night viewings of the 31st Annual Festival of Trees.

 As you ride down on the chairlift and make your way to the tunnel, you will be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and see animated Christmas displays.

Please Note: This is an entirely indoor astronomy program.

Calling all birders!

Come watch our resident snakes enjoy their mealtime!

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

Join us for a lesson in the unique adaptations that make animals well suited for surviving the colder winter months.

Join us at the Karlan Mansion for a magical and festive celebration of one of the season’s most treasured holidays.

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

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

Bundle up and join us for a peaceful winter walk as we explore the James River State Park in search of its seasonal birdlife!

Joining a park ranger for a fun reading adventure!

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

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

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

Bodies of water attract wildlife; therefore, they are great places to look for animal tracks.

We would like to introduce you to “Boxer” the box turtle.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

Come watch our resident snakes enjoy their mealtime!

Some of Virginia's coolest mammals are rarely seen by humans.

Can you maintain ecosystem equilibrium?

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

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.

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.