Events in Virginia State Parks

Frogs, crawdads, and children - oh my!

Our beautiful park is the perfect place to pick up a fun new workout routine.

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

Help support the park you love.

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.

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

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

Yes, you too can canoe!

Spend time paddling down the Clinch River.

Paddle your way around the park’s unique ecosystem.

Join the Friends of Mason Neck and Fairfax Master Naturalists for a rewarding day of volunteer garden work!

Without pollinators, people and all of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.

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

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

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

Imagine your afternoon at the park involving turtles soaking up sunshine as they enjoy the tickling grass.

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

What swims in the shallows of South Beach?

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

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.

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

Are all snakes venomous?

It starts with an "s" and ends with a "t." It comes out of you, it comes out of me.

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?

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. .

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.

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!

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.

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.

Joining a park ranger for a fun reading adventure!

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.

It's feeding time in our Chesapeake Bay Lab!

Have you ever wondered what flowers are blooming around us?

What does making a fire and baking have in common?

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

Play classic Hide-and-Seek with a modern twist!

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

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.

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

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.

The Friends of Twin Lakes State Park is an all-volunteer non-profit that supports Twin Lakes State Park.

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

The one and only mammal on the planet capable of true flight absolutely loves Hungry Mother.

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!

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.

Early morning is one of the best times to experience the lake.

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

Can you track the ranger out on the trail?

Hear the tale of star-crossed lovers that the trail is named after and view the tunnel from above.

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

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

Come on out for a ranger lead canoe trip through the beautiful wetlands of York River State Park.

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.

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the interactions between a predator population of coyotes and a prey population of deer in a forest. This program is suitable for all ages.

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

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will continue its “Lunch on the Lawn” summer music series on Friday, August 21, from 12 to 1 p.m., featuring Richard Phillips.

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.

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

This land-based, hook-free fishing game is a fun and safe way to learn how to cast, but even those who are fishing fanatics will enjoy trying to beat out the competition in this game of limited resources.

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

What swims in the shallows of South Beach?

Learn how Mother Nature can both inspire and help you create your next masterpiece.

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

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?

Learn to weave baskets out of loblolly pine needles found right here in the park.

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.

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!

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

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the remarkable abilities of bats and the importance of preserving their habitats.

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

Join us for a ranger-led hike highlighting the parks flora and fauna, historical sites, and unique ecology!    Please wear closed-toe shoes.