Events in Virginia State Parks

As the fabric of autumn unfolds, the weave of even the water is altered.

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

Celebrate Make a Hat Day with the Rangers at First Landing State Park and make your own Ranger Hat!

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.

Often on a walk in the woods, we pass by the smaller wonders or fail to hear the language of leaves.

Frogs, crawdads, and children - oh my!

What’s in these mountains?  Please join us for this exciting program on Southwest Virginia’s past.

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.

Learn about pawpaws and help collect them for our Pawpaw Festival! On the day of the festival, the fruits we collect will be offered as free samples for festival attendees to taste.

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

Are you age 60+ with an interest in spending time in nature?

What swims in the shallows of the Chesapeake Bay?

In nature, everything is connected.

In nature, everything is connected.

"Beavers:  Nature's Engineers" examines the characteristics and habits of North America's largest rodent.  Learn about how beavers alter the environment more than any other creature except humans.  Find out how beavers contributed to the westward expansion as settlers arrived in the New World.  Various items, including a beaver skull, pelt, and examples of wood cuttings, will be displayed.  .

Why is Virginia's Eastern Shore one of the best hot spots for birdwatching in the whole Western Hemisphere?

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.

Explore the life cycle of butterflies.

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Come sit in the shade and make your own unique, nature-themed keepsake!

Everyone loves a relaxing evening especially out on Hungry Mother Lake.

Join the Friends of Shenandoah River State Park for their monthly meeting!  Whether you're a seasoned Friends member or are looking to join, you are welcome!  The meeting will take place at the River Bend Discovery Center in Shenandoah River State Park.

Learn about pawpaws and help collect them for our Pawpaw Festival! On the day of the festival, the fruits we collect will be offered as free samples for festival attendees to taste.

Meet with a ranger and go on a guided hike along the Lakeshore Trail (0.81mi.).

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

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.

Can you track the ranger out on the trail?

Rangers from Leesylvania State Park will take your little ones on a nature adventure with reading, games, and crafts.

Explore the wonders of the Tutelo Trail with our park interpreter.

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.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is delighted to announce the 2026 fall semester of the WiseJAMS Music Program!

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

Learn about pawpaws and help collect them for our Pawpaw Festival! On the day of the festival, the fruits we collect will be offered as free samples for festival attendees to taste.

Calling all homeschoolers!

This trail begins on Iron Mine Trail and features an iron mine once used by Fayerdale residents, as well as an overlook of Fairy Stone Lake.

Every autumn, the forests, orchards, and fields of Sweet Run provide a bounty of fruits and nuts that have sustained wildlife and people for generations.

Explore disc golf with a ranger.

Take a fascinating hike and discover the rich history of James River State Park, from ancient fossils to the American Civil War and beyond.

What swims in the shallows of the Chesapeake Bay?

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will continue its “Lunch on the Lawn” summer music series on Friday, Sept.18, from 12 to 1 p.m., featuring Tommy Bright.

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 a park ranger for this competitive adventure on the one-mile loop Goodwin Lake Trail.

Join us for crafty critters: Opossum edition, a hands-on program where we will explore the fascinating world of these gentle misunderstood animals.

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

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

Did you ever wonder how animals thrive in their ecosystems?

The library is coming to the park!

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

A nature journal is a glass that focuses our attention and magnifies our observations while also capturing our thoughts and experiences.

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Ever wondered what happened at Kiptopeke before it became a state park?

Calling all nature lovers!

Did you know there was once a thriving "boom town" located where our lake is today?

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

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

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.

Join us for a relaxing evening of learning and marshmallow roasting.

Slip on your closed-toe shoes and get ready to explore the creek.

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

Can you match the skull to its pelt?

Ahoy Matey and shiver me timbers, get ready for Talk Like a Pirate Day on the Potomac!

Join us for a night of 'bat-tastic' fun at Twin Lakes State Park!

Did you know that many species of fungi, plants, and even wildlife glow under a black light?

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

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

Come join the party!

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

Have you ever heard the tremulous trill of the eastern screech owl on a dark night?

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

Join our rangers for a bit of fun around the campfire as we welcome you to the park. Don't worry, we'll bring the s'mores.

Not only are birds most active at dawn; if the weather cooperates, there is a beauty and peacefulness to sunrise that fades as the day progresses.

Come support our local YMCA!

Ready to learn the ins and outs of stand up paddleboarding?

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

We let the dogs out!

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.

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

Join Virginia Master Naturalist Dr.

Interested in learning about different edible and medicinal plants found at Hayfields?

Together we can make a difference for our neighbors in need!

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.

As fall begins to show itself, the animal kingdom knows that winter will arrive in a few short months.

Join costumed interpreters for a demonstration of historical cooking methods in the Jones-Stewart Mansion's original brick kitchen. .

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

Long before there was a York River State Park, or even a York River, 6 million plus years ago, marine creatures swam here in a shallow sea.

Become an owl pellet detective as we dissect the clues an owl leaves behind.

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

We are hosting Central Virginia's favorite fruit focused event, the 4th Annual Pawpaw Festival.

Ever tried to balance on a board in the water as you paddle down the lake?

Learn the essentials of basic target archery, a skill that, thanks to artifacts found at the park, we know humans have been practicing here for thousands of years.

Explore the park with a leaf identification scavenger hunt.

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

Being mindful and appreciative of nature can help you care for yourself and find a deeper understanding of why it is important to care for nature.

Use your detective skills to piece together the stories that animals, including humans, have left behind.

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!

Bring your furry friends for a beautiful nature walk with one of our rangers.

During the American Civil War, German-language newspapers played a powerful role in informing immigrant communities and shaping their views on the conflict.