Give dad the ultimate gift, time spent together outdoors at Virginia State Parks! This Father's Day we have plenty of great events and activities for you to join.

You can go fishing, hiking, biking and boating. Make a trip out of it by camping, staying in a yurt or cabin. But remember, the one thing that makes Father's Day extra special is spending time together. Make memories that will last forever at Virginia State Parks! 

Hiking with Dad at Shenandoah River State Park

Ten fun activities for Father's Day weekend

1. Spend the day on the water: Explore on your own or join a ranger-led paddle trip. Reservations are often required for guided paddle adventures, so plan ahead. Don't have a boat? Many parks rent canoes, kayaks and stand up paddle boards. Find a park to learn more.

2. Find a concert: Whether you want to enjoy music by the river or in the mountains, our parks have it all. You can even go back in time to the 1840s at James River State Parks' Batteaux & Banjos Music Concert to learn about and hear the music they listened to before the Civil War.

3. Take a hike with a ranger or hike on your own: Join a guided hike to learn more about local flora and fauna or take dad out on an adventure by yourself. Either way, a hike is always a great bonding activity! 

4. Go geocaching: Our geocache adventure invites you to find our travel bug hotels. Each hotel is hand built by the rangers who work there and tells a unique story. 

5. Play disc golf: Treat dad to a fun and memorable day by playing a round of disc golf together at our scenic courses at Natural Bridge and Staunton River state parks 

6. Get crafty with dad: Have fun with the whole family by making something together in nature.  

7. Learn about Virginia State Parks: Over Father's Day weekend, we're celebrating the 89th anniversary of Virginia State Parks. In honor of this milestone, our parks are hosting special programs that are perfect for history loving dads.

8. Plan a picnic: Surprise Dad with a relaxing picnic surrounded by nature. Want to invite the whole family? Consider renting a picnic shelters. 

9. Go birding: Few places can match Virginia's abundance and variety of birds, so grab the binoculars and hit the trail. If you don't have a life list, now is a great time to start one with dad.

10. Horse around with dad: If your family has horses and wants an excuse to ride, come take a trot on an equestrian trail together. 

There's so much going on we can't list it all, search our events list here.

Picnicking at Sky Meadows State Park

Give the gift that keeps on giving

Buy dad an annual pass so that he can keep coming to Virginia State Parks all year! Click here to buy your pass.  

Stay for the weekend

Virginia State Parks offers a variety of overnight accommodations to suit every type of dad, from rustic adventurers to comfort-seekers. Call 800-933-7275 to check availability or make a reservation online. Whatever you choose to do, dad will love it because you planned to do it together. 

Camping at Pocahontas State Park