Staunton River State Park

Staunton River State Park With access to the Dan and Staunton rivers and Buggs Island Lake, this Dark Sky Park offers trails, fishing, boating and stargazing. Vulgar language. B. C. D. E. F.
(694)

As one of the original parks, find Civilian Conservation Corps-built cabins, a campground and equestrian camping. DCR's social media activities are intended to present agency matters of public interest to clients, businesses and visitors. DCR encourages users to submit questions and comments but asks users to remain civil and on topic.

1. DCR strongly discourages, and may remove to the extent leg

ally permissible, submissions with:
A. Sexual content. Hate speech or symbols. Personal attacks. Comments on content that promote, foster or perpetuate discrimination based on race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status and genetics with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or intellectual disability, or sexual orientation. Spam and links to other sites. G. Off-topic content. H. Content that advocates illegal activity. I. Content that promotes particular services, products or political organizations. J. Content that infringes on copyrights or trademarks. K. Protected medical information or personal information that may potentially compromise the privacy or security of an individual’s identity. L. Information that may compromise the safety, security or proceedings of public systems or any criminal or civil investigation.
2. User comments and content reflect the opinions and views of the author, not of DCR.
3. No user may have any expectation of privacy in any message, file or image, or of data created, sent, retrieved or posted via Commonwealth of Virginia equipment or access.

Save the date! We're celebrating National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26. Join us for a variety of ranger-led pr...
09/14/2026

Save the date! We're celebrating National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26. Join us for a variety of ranger-led programs designed to help you explore, learn and connect with Virginia's public lands.

Activities include:
♻️ Volunteer Trail Maintenance, 9 a.m., visitor center
🦫 Beaver Builders, 1 p.m., Equestrian Campground
πŸ™‹β€β™€οΈ Museum Tour, 3 p.m., visitor center

πŸš™ NPLD is a fee-free parking day. We hope to see you there! Learn more: www.virginiastateparks.gov/stauntonriver-events

Mark your calendars for the Fall Star Party Public Viewing Night. πŸ”­ Our astronomers will meet you on the Observation Fie...
09/14/2026

Mark your calendars for the Fall Star Party Public Viewing Night. πŸ”­ Our astronomers will meet you on the Observation Field to help you explore the dark skies of Staunton River State Park.

🌟 You'll be amazed to see what you've been missing in the night sky!

πŸ“… Oct. 9
πŸ•› 8-10 p.m.
ℹ️ https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2025-12-31-11-08-43-937060-q9e

Interested in joining us for the week-long Fall Star Party? Go to https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2025-12-31-11-03-35-521140-3gp

We hope to see you this weekend for Stores of the Stars. πŸ”­ Come explore the night sky with members of the Chapel Hill As...
09/09/2026

We hope to see you this weekend for Stores of the Stars. πŸ”­ Come explore the night sky with members of the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society and learn about constellations, planets, astrophotography and the vast distance from the stars to the Earth.

πŸ“… Saturday, Sept. 12
πŸ•› 8-10 p.m.
πŸ“ Observation Field
🎟️ Free (standard parking fee applies)
ℹ️ https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2025-12-29-12-29-20-351065-x5n

The Fall Star Party is about a month away. 🌠 Are you ready?This week-long astronomy festival, sponsored by the Chapel Hi...
09/08/2026

The Fall Star Party is about a month away. 🌠 Are you ready?

This week-long astronomy festival, sponsored by the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society, draws stargazers from across the East Coast and beyond.

πŸ“… Oct. 5-Oct. 11
πŸ“ Dark Sky Observation Field
🎟️ $110 for the full week; $60 for the weekend (Thursday through Sunday)

Registration is required through CHAOS, and astronomers can camp right on the Observation Field. β›Ί Want a cabin or campsite instead? Just contact the park. Bathrooms, showers and food service will be available all week.

Learn more or register at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2025-12-31-11-03-35-521140-3gp.

Virginia State Parks is home to four International Dark Sky Parks β€” Staunton River State Park, James River State Park, N...
09/07/2026

Virginia State Parks is home to four International Dark Sky Parks β€” Staunton River State Park, James River State Park, Natural Bridge State Park and Sky Meadows State Park.

Recognized by DarkSky International, these parks protect exceptional starry night skies and rich nocturnal environments for science, education, cultural heritage and public enjoyment.

Each park adopted outdoor lighting policies to reduce light pollution, partnered with local communities and created programs that invite visitors to experience the wonder of stargazing.

To learn more about dark sky events happening at Virginia State Parks, visit: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/dark-sky-parks

Stores of the Stars returns later this month. 🌠 Come explore the night sky with members of the Chapel Hill Astronomical ...
09/02/2026

Stores of the Stars returns later this month. 🌠 Come explore the night sky with members of the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society and learn about constellations, planets, astrophotography and the vast distance from the stars to the Earth.

πŸ“… Saturday, Sept. 12
πŸ•› 8-10 p.m.
πŸ“ Observation Field
🎟️ Free (standard parking fee applies)
ℹ️ https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2025-12-29-12-29-20-351065-x5n

πŸŽ‰ Discover the brand-new Trading Post! Located in the first building as you enter the park, this repurposed space is you...
08/26/2026

πŸŽ‰ Discover the brand-new Trading Post! Located in the first building as you enter the park, this repurposed space is your go-to spot for everything you need during your visit.

Stop by for:
β›Ί Registration for overnight facilities
ℹ️ Park information and updates
🚻 Restrooms
πŸ›οΈ Gift shop

We also welcome our equestrian visitors. Hitching posts are conveniently located on the side of the building for your use. 🐴

πŸ•› The Trading Post is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise noted on the door of the Trading Post. ⚠️ The visitor center is currently closed for renovations; however, the restrooms remain open.

πŸŒ„ Our summer programming is coming to an end, so don't miss out on these ranger-led programs.Whether you want to get cra...
08/25/2026

πŸŒ„ Our summer programming is coming to an end, so don't miss out on these ranger-led programs.

Whether you want to get crafty or relax on a wagon ride, we have something for you! 🌳

πŸ“… Thursday, Aug. 27
Tree Cookies, 3-4 p.m.

πŸ“… Friday, Aug. 28
Friday Opening Campfire, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

πŸ“… Saturday, Aug. 29
What's the Buzz? 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Dare to Bear, 3-4 p.m.
Pollinator Seed Bombs, 5-6 p.m.
Wagon Ride, 7-8 p.m.

Learn more at www.virginiastateparks.gov/stauntonriver-events.

We hope to see you this weekend for Stories of the Stars. πŸ”­ Come explore the night sky with members of the Chapel Hill A...
08/12/2026

We hope to see you this weekend for Stories of the Stars. πŸ”­ Come explore the night sky with members of the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society and learn about constellations, planets, astrophotography and the vast distance from the stars to the Earth.

πŸ“… Saturday, Aug. 15
πŸ•› 9-11 p.m.
πŸ“ Observation Field
🎟️ Free (standard parking fee applies)
ℹ️ https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2025-12-29-12-29-20-329917-ed1

🌠 The Virginia Natural Heritage Program is offering a guided stargazing program for the Perseids Meteor Shower at the So...
08/11/2026

🌠 The Virginia Natural Heritage Program is offering a guided stargazing program for the Perseids Meteor Shower at the Southside Savannah Natural Area Preserve, located about 15 minutes from the park.

Led by a former night sky interpreter from the National Park Service, this event takes place two nights after the peak of the Perseids, when up to 100 meteors are visible per hour. πŸ¦‹ Afterward, Senior Zoologist Steve Roble will be showing some of the local moths during a live viewing.

πŸ“… Date: Friday, Aug. 14
πŸ•› Time: 9-11 p.m.
πŸ“ Location: Southside Savannah NAP, 36.712164, -78.768637 on Falkland Road, Scottsburg, VA 24589

🎟️ This program is free to attend; however, pre-registration is required at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/eventsdetail-stargazing.

Address

1170 Staunton Trl
Scottsburg, VA
24589

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 10pm
Tuesday 8am - 10pm
Wednesday 8am - 10pm
Thursday 8am - 10pm
Friday 8am - 10pm
Saturday 8am - 10pm
Sunday 8am - 10pm

Telephone

(434) 572-4623

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Staunton River State Park posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category