The disclosed technology is directed towards virtual reality bookmarks that maintain state data for a user in a virtual reality environment, such that the user can to return to that virtual reality environment at a later time. While presenting virtual reality session content to a user, a system or the like can receive a request to pause the virtual reality session from a user. Session state data, e.g., in the form of a virtual reality bookmark, is saved based on the pause request. A later request to resume presentation of the virtual reality content results in the system accessing the virtual reality session data, which is used to present resumed virtual reality session content to the user based on the session state data. A pause request may be for an individual user or for each user participating in a session. Virtual reality bookmarks may be shared with other users.