Events in Virginia State Parks

Celebrate a hundred years of conservation, stewardship, and outdoor adventure.

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

Experience paddling on one of Virginia's most beautiful and historic waterways: the James River.

Let’s head over to Edmunds Lake and try to wrangle in some big fish.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Do you know who's bones these are?

Get ready to explore some of the littlest life in our park at Bugs and Beyond!

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

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.

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

It's none of your Beeswax!

Do you know what's living in our lake?

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.

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.

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.

Our park is known for its biodiversity and is home to many species of birds.

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 Bent Creek and Canoe Landing!

Come out to Westmoreland State Park and join our rangers in a fun FREE day of fishing! June 5th-7th is free fishing weekend in Virginia, meaning no fishing license is required to fish anywhere in the state.   If you have your own fishing gear, bring it! Never been fishing before? Don’t own any fishing supplies?

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

Want to experience the New River Trail State Park in a way few people get a chance to?

Mussel's and Aquatic Bugs Join a Ranger in taking a closer look at what lives in our rivers, specifically the Clinch River which is super rich in diverse species!

Beat the heat at our River Bend Discovery Center!

Ever wanted to learn how to fish, but never knew where to start?

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.

Do you have what it takes to be a wildlife detective?  Get ready for a guided mission!

Ever wonder what the fish are doing when they dive deep under water?

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?

10 and 2, 10 and 2, get into the rhythm of fly fishing.

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

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

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

Find out what's at Staunton River State Park!

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

The rangers will have a variety of craft materials available so you can let your creativity flow like Swift Creek. This program encourages artistic expression, enhances fine motor skills and encourages teamwork.

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

Visit a Ranger at Massie Gap and learn about bear safety, including how to store food, what to do when you come across a bear hiking, camping in bear country, and more.

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

Practice casting a fishing pole, no hooks required!

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

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Trees are vital to our environment.

Come say hello to Ranger Shelly, our red-eared slider and local shellebrity. Join us at the beach as she enjoys some sunshine and enrichment time.

Get creative and be inspired by the beautiful scenery of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

What does fire mean to you?

Slime is survival.

What track is that?

Do you know the rich history of Virginia's Eastern Shore?

Celebrate DCR’s 100th anniversary around the campfire with s’mores and trivia!   .

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.

Keep an eye out around the campgrounds before the welcome campfire for a ranger carrying a fascinating historical or natural item from the park.

Journey back in time on Lee's Woods Trail to discover hundreds of years of human history.

Spending the weekend camping at Lake Anna State Park?

Enjoy the beautiful park setting as you are entertained by some of our very own local musicians.

Join a ranger around the fire as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation!

Tonight we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) with some fascinating trivia.

Come join the party!

Start off your weekend off right with s’mores and more!

Do you enjoy roasting a marshmallow?

Where's the best place to fish at the park?

Join your fellow campers to hear about all of the different trails and activities the park has to offer and discover the history of the park. This is a great chance to ask questions about the park, local activities in the area, and future events at Grayson Highlands State Park.

Join us at the Community Fire Ring to relax, enjoy a roasted marshmallow, and get to know your camping neighbors.

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

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.

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

Welcome to the park, kick off your stay with an unforgettable evening by the fire at the water's edge.

Grab a carload of friends and take a drive to Hungry Mother and give back to your local community.

Celebrate National Trails Day by participating in the 15th year of the National Trails Day 5K at High Bridge Trail State Park.

Step onto the trail and journey through layers of history as you explore a landscape shaped by land, labor, and legacy.

Looking for an engaging activity for the whole family?

Trek the path many settlers walked and discover what life was like back when the legend was formed.

Take a guided hike through a wide variety of habitats where pollinators roam: riverside forest, native meadow, upland hardwood forests, and the "edge habitat" in between!

We are looking for eager volunteers to help us repair our trails! Our park features six miles of scenic trails that wind through our forests to ponds, overlooks, wetlands and beaches. Trails are meant to be used, and end up getting worn down over time.

Head to Smith Mountain Lake State Park to enjoy all this fishing clinic has to offer.

Celebrate National Trails day by giving back!

Celebrate National Trails Day by giving back to your park and making a lasting impact on the trails you love to explore!

Get ready to hit the trails and embark on an adventure like no other as we celebrate National Trails Day at Holliday Lake State Park!

Explore the hidden hamlet of Wash Woods and see the various coastal habitats of False Cape.

Get down and dirty with this two-hour wild cave tour.

A lot of us get pleasure from short strolls along the lakeside or in a wooded area, be it a quick vigorous exercise or meditative meander.

National Trails Day provides an opportunity for all outdoor enthusiasts to venture out onto their favorite trails for exercise and wellness.

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

Join a gentle, welcoming walk for women who want to reconnect with nature, themselves, and each other.

Sometimes called "Backyard Bass", this fishing activity focuses on casing technique using rod and reel to snag a toy fish and reel it in.

Celebrate National Trails Day by tagging along with a ranger for a tree-tastic identification walk.

Calling all young explorers and adventurers!

Take a walk in a ranger's shoes while performing trail work this National Trails Day.

Celebrate National Trails Day by Becoming an Eco-Hero at Sky Meadows State Park! Our region’s biodiversity is under threat from invasive plants that have quietly spread, outcompeting native species and disrupting the food chain.

Join a Park Ranger on National Trails Day for a guided hike along one of America's most iconic trails, The Appalachian Trail!