The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is now accepting entries for the “Stitch in Time” Quilt Show.

Not all who wonder are lost!

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

We let the dogs out!

As the weather warms to spring, explore what is in bloom on the park's trails with Shenandoah Chapter Virginia Master Naturalist Paul Guay.

Bows and arrows have been a part of human society for thousands of years and used for both survival and sport.

Looking for that perfect selfie spot?

We all enjoy a yummy meal and that’s the same for our resident snake that lives here in our Visitor Center.

Join rangers at Westmoreland State Park for a fun-filled Easter adventure.  Bring a basket to collect wooden ornaments that will be turned in for prizes.

Every week the Rangers at First Landing will show off some of our wonderful animal ambassadors to provide an up-close look at the reptiles and amphibians that call First Landing home! Located within the trail center, the Discovery Room is welcome to all ages.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Come on out to Chippokes State Park and discover what is left of a forgotten historic roadway on this ranger-led hike. Learn about historic transportation routes, the area's first inhabitants, speculation and myths of the road, and natural history.

Stop by the Visitor Center and have the opportunity to view the sun through a telescope.

Explore the wonderful world of salamanders with a ranger at Mason Neck State Park.

It's the most beautiful time of year!  Join us for a ranger-led hike down Bluebell Trail!

Grab your journal and come on down to the park and try your hand at a new skill - Nature Journaling!

Join a ranger on a guided hike to learn more about different ecosystems found in the park.

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'.

There are many stories to tell about Sweet Run State Park.

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.

Hop on over to Kiptopeke State Park for an afternoon of Easter fun!  Starting at 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy some games and crafts!

Interested in learning more about archery while having fun?

Interested in learning more about archery while having fun?

Of all the mammals, opossums are the most misunderstood. They are fascinating creatures with very unique characteristics.

Take a relaxing walk with a ranger to learn about the colorful spring flowers of the forest.

Do you have a green thumb or are just curious to get into gardening?

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the remarkable abilities of bats and the importance of preserving their habitats.

No, you can't pick the Bluebells, but you can make one to take home with you!  The Bluebells that grow along our riverbank are Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), but several species of Bluebells bloom across the world!

Ready, set, crawl, to join General Raphael, our non-releasable rescue eastern box turtle, as we explore more about her and the animal friends she shares her habitat with.

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect 'fairy stone' that everyone is looking for.

Find out what lurks below the swamp's surface in this fun dip-netting adventure!

Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water necessary for some animals to survive.

We're closing out this season's Winter Lecture Series with a fascinating program on bats.

We can tell a great deal about an animal’s adaptations by looking at their skins and skulls.

Did you know there was once a thriving Boom Town located where our lake is today?

The visitor center is one of the best spots to search for bald eagles hunting fish and soaring through the sky, so stop by and search for eagles along with our park rangers.

Join us for a special night hike through False Cape State Park.

Step back in time and experience the flavors of the past!

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

When a tree is sick, who can we call?

Got a little explorer who’s beyond crawling, but isn’t ready to hike with the Kindergarten siblings?  The Tyke Hike is the perfect fit for little legs.  The hikes are less than a mile and mostly stroller friendly.  The ranger will help your little one discover neat things in nature in this one hour adventure.

Explore the Chesapeake Bay through the animals that live in it!

Do you have a passion for nature, environmental education, and wish to make a difference?

Learn about what goes bump in the night at First Landing's park after dark hike!

Join Sky Meadows interpretive rangers to discover the trails and explore the park’s natural resources through guided nature hikes throughout the day.

The Fairfield Foundation opens the Timberneck house for free walk-in tours every Tuesday.

Are all snakes venomous?

Help support the park you love.

Are you age 55+ with an interest in spending time in nature?

Let your creativity take flight!

Join the Rangers each week to learn a new skill to help you survive in the wild.

Join the Rangers each week to learn a new skill to help you survive in the wild.

Spring has sprung.

The Lyrids meteor shower is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak.

Explore on your own with self-guided programs throughout the day.

This series of homeschool programs for students aged 8-12 will meet at the Visitor Center at Lake Anna State Park from 10am - 1pm on multiple dates.

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

Just as caterpillars grow and change, our Caterpillar Club programs are designed to help your little one grow and change.

Join us as we learn more about the prehistoric history of Chippokes through fossils that can be found right on our beaches!

Did you know that 11 to 3 million years ago Chippokes, the James River, and most of the Tidewater area of Virginia was all under water and at the bottom of the Claremont Manor Sea? Join an interpreter on an adventure through the Fossil Beds of Chippokes to see what we can find...

  Have questions about the shells you find on the beach?

How many animals inhabitants of First Landing State Park can you identify?

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is excited to announce the Spring semester of the WiseJAMS Music Program.

This is a fantastic time of year to take-in the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflowers of Southwest Virginia.

Not all who wonder are lost!

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

Join us as we learn more about the prehistoric history of Chippokes through fossils that can be found right on our beaches!

Meet at the Big Water Visitor Center and help our resident box turtle have some fun in the sun.

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'.

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.

Seven Bends will be hosting a work day focusing on the Rivers Way Play Space.

Come meet and greet Ranger Myrtle (our Red-Eared Slider turtle), Ranger Scout (our Western Hognose snake), and Ranger Brutus (our Copperhead snake) to discover what makes these rangers so special to Twin Lakes State Park.  Parks are for everyone.

Join a Kiptopeke Park Ranger for a guided hike through our nature trails.

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

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect 'fairy stone' that everyone is looking for.

Get creative! Join us for a relaxing arts and crafts program.

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

It's time to clean out the Ranger Shed, and boy did we find a lot of stuff.

Pollinator populations everywhere are in a steady decline, but why all the buzz about it?

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

If you're camping with us at Chippokes, we would like to extend a warm invitation to attend our special evening ranger-led campfire program.

Explore an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night!

Kick off your stay at our ranger-led campfire.

Keeping up with biodiversity is critical to environmental welfare and Earth Day is the perfect time to discover the diversity in our park.

Earth Day is a time of celebration and appreciation here at First Landing.

Perfect for beginners, this class will help you connect with nature and start your bird-watching journey.

Let's go fishing with friends and family!

Looking for a fun service project this Earth Day?  Help Park Rangers as we preserve the beauty of the Big Water Visitor Center.  We will be cleaning out flower beds, weeding the walkways, and planting native species.  We will meet at the Big Water Visitor Center at 9:00 am!  Come prepared to get your hands dirty, bring gardening gloves and wear appropriate clothing.  All ages are welcomed!

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

Join the rangers, volunteers and the South Central Chapter of Virginia Master Gardeners for an exciting planting day.

Stewardship Saturday falls during Earth Week this month, so we are going to tackle a conservation project in the park!

Come and join us for our volunteer-based beach clean up.

Join us for our spring Nature Photography Series!  April 19 - Wildflowers and Wildlife  May 17 - Bird ID and Photography  June 21 - Wildlife Photography and Scavenger Hunt  On April 19, we'll meet outside the visitor center to review tips for photographing spring flowers and wildlife.  After meeting at the visitor center, we will explore selected areas of the park.  Be prepared to encounter muddy areas!  All types of cameras, from smartphones to professional cameras, and levels of photographers are welcomed.

Join a ranger, enjoy Big Meadow Trail, and learn about the natural history of Westmoreland State Park.

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

Join us to celebrate our natural resources by connecting with recognized Tribes of Virginia and other event partners eager to promote environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation.

We will be celebrating Earth Day with a fair behind our Visitor Center. See what you can do to make this world a better place for everyone.

Take a spring walk of exploration with two Virginia Master Naturalists in this first of a series of seasonal walks planned for children.

The first installment of the "Prowl the Powell" nature series will take place on Saturday, April 19 at 10 am.

Trees have magical qualities which give us many important everyday items and the oxygen we breathe.