Toads, Turtles and Snakes- Oh my!

Enjoy a fun paddling adventure at Leesylvania State Park on Powell's Creek!  Watch majestic bald eagles and ospreys soar above, a heron hunting along the shore, and turtles basking in the  sunshine.

Are all snakes venomous?

Have you ever heard an owl sing at night?

Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?

Staunton River State Park is home for many different types of wild animals.

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.

Did you know owls don't chew their food?

Need a break from your long trip and have a little fun? Do you like being creative? We have many things to see at our Visitor Center.

Cryptids (animals commonly not believed to be real) like the Moth Man may be local folklore, but the cryptic adaptations of moths are very real.

Explore the mighty James River via canoe with your very own guide!

There are many different wildlife that call Leesylvania State Park their home.

Do you think you have what it takes to build a shelter that will withstand the wind and the rain?

Join us for an immersive adventure!

Leesylvania State Park is part of many different watersheds, some large and some small.

Did you know owls get "hairballs?" About once a day, an owl spits up a ball of hair and bones--leftovers from their most recent meals--called an owl pellet.

Not all bees live in hives.

What's under that rock?

Have you ever wanted to see one of the park’s many reptile residents up close?

The 250-acre Hoover Mountain Bike Area is located on a reclaimed 20th century mine site.

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

Bring along your partner and friends to embark on a wayfinding adventure through the Interpretive Area to earn a free Adult Adventurer keychain (Pre-registration recommended).

The Chesapeake Bay provides visitors with some of the most stunning views of the sunset and sounds of the waves.

Join our ranger in some night fishing!

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

Silent and spooky, the owl is a magnificent animal.

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

Do you love to interact with nature and learn about conservation and preservation?

Join Yoga instructor, Kelly Blevins, to experience the calming benefits of yoga in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Let us teach you all the basics you'll need to know to get yourself started with one of our most popular outdoor activities, from tying on your hook and tackle to casting your line.

Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?

Mussels play a huge part in our watershed.

Explore the mighty James River via canoe with your very own interpretive guide!

Did you know 'creepy crawlies' are some of the world's most important recyclers?

How many animal inhabitants of First Landing can you identify?

Can you shout out BINGO first?  Join us for birding bingo, a guided birding hike along the Bluebell Trail.

Want to learn how to go geocaching? Join one of our rangers on a guided program on how to start your geocache adventure. Geocaching is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure.

Join us at the Big Water Visitor Center for a feeding frenzy! You will be able to observe a variety of animals in our saltwater fish tank along with our resident Eastern box turtle. Learn how to identify the different species and what they all like to eat.

Plastic, a wonder material with many forms and uses but is it a blessing or a curse?

Second only to humans in the ability to change their environment to fit their needs, learn just how smart a beaver can be.

Join us and Mount Rogers Community Services and immerse yourself in nature's grandeur while fueling your body, mind, and soul every Friday at noon.

Step inside to learn all about the magic of the Chesapeake Bay and its inhabitants.

Have you ever wanted to try camping, but didn't because it all seems so confusing and expensive?

Come join us for a fun science experiment all about soil erosion!

Meet local 'shellebrity', Ranger Shelly, our Red-eared Slider turtle as she suns herself and enjoys some enrichment at the beach area.

You can learn a lot about the health of a stream by seeing what lives beneath its surface.

Explore how birds, bats, bees, and other pollinators aid in the life cycle of plants and flowers with a fun game inspired by green light, red light.  Parks are for everyone.

Forest Trails are not just for bikers.

Meet Natural Tunnel's wildlife ambassador, Popcorn the corn snake.

Get hooked on fishing at False Cape State Park.

Come over to picnic shelter #2 and get inspired by the great outdoors.  Create your own masterpiece!  Great for all ages. .

Learn all about birds and their homes.

What is a gundalow?  These long wooden flatboats were used to haul merchandise down the Shenandoah River.

Stop by the beach to see some cool critters, hold some interesting artifacts, and have your nature and history questions about Douthat State Park answered.

Want to know more about how our animal friends parented their young?

Get creative when you build your very own bug at this ranger-led program.

Take your camping skills to the next level in this camping workshop!

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?  Join us on the fishing pier while we show you just how easy and fun it is.  $2 a person.  Great for all ages! .

Can not seem to get your campfire lit?

Are you an expert angler or looking to pick up a couple fishing tips?

Discover how fire affects our world and how we attempt to harness its power.

The blue crab is one of the most iconic species of the Chesapeake Bay.

The forests are full of things both delicious and dangerous, but can you tell which is which?

End your week with a relaxing paddle along Swift Creek Lake.

Enjoy a beautiful moonlight paddle on the lower Potomac River.

It's all fun and games at the campfire.

Come join the party!

Join us at the amphitheater for a warm welcome to the park, camping tips, and fun activities.  Marshmallow's will be provided for roasting.  Great for all ages. .

Fire has been a part of human history since cavemen roamed Earth, with many different uses. Learn how to build a campfire using different methods or enjoy a game of trivia by the glow of the fire.

Welcome to Staunton River State Park.

Bring your family and friends and join a park ranger for a campfire on the water’s edge at the beach amphitheater.

Come for the s’mores, stay for the fun!

If you ever wanted to see a shooting star, come join our meteor shower watch! Join park rangers for an exploration of our night sky at this International Dark Sky Park.

Grab your binoculars and get outside.  Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy will lead these monthly hikes to discover and identify birds at Sweet Run State Park. We will explore parts of this beautiful 900 acre preserve and see what lives in and visits its diverse habitats.

Spend time floating five and a half miles down the Clinch River.

Grab your coffee or other non-alcoholic beverage and join one of our Park Rangers for a chance to sit and chat about the park, history, programs, volunteering and future plans.

The Great Egret joins the Great Blue Heron for super-sized avian fun at the park.

Want to know more about those trees you see daily?

Would you like to have the chance to explore the trails in Powhatan State Park and meet new people?

From woodlands to wetlands, fields and pastures, let's investigate the plants, animals and history of farming at Sky Meadows State Park.

Put away your smartphone and plot a course for adventure with this introduction to the sport of orienteering.

The Children's Garden Workshops are a great way to get your little one up, moving, creating and learning.

'Family Learning Adventures,' formally known as 'Arks for Parks,' is back this year at Twin Lakes State Park.

In our park's nature center, you can see many different native animals of Virginia.

Explore the beautiful wetlands with us.

Explore the mighty James River via canoe with your very own guide!

During the Jim Crow Era, many public spaces in the South were segregated.

Join Master Naturalist Kim Manion for a short walk to discover the basics of tree identification.

Explore the 32-acre Prince Edward Lake, the larger of the park's two lakes, on this guided canoe tour.

Explore the park's expansive wetlands with us as we search for and identify the plants and animals that call this unique habitat their home.

Find out what lurks below the surface of the swamp in the fun dip-netting adventure!

Ever wonder what animals call Kiptopeke home or what those shells on the beach are called?

The use of bows to shoot arrows has been a part of global history for thousands of years whether for defense, survival, or sport.

Animals tell us tales using the tracks they leave behind.

You never know what critters you will see around Belle Isle, there's dozens to pick from.

How do rivers form?

Discover some of the beautiful fish that make their homes in the Potomac River with a Park Ranger using a seine net, one of humankind's oldest fishing tools. This is also a great chance to appreciate the important role that the Potomac River and its watershed has in our community.  Be prepared to have fun and get wet.  Be sure to bring water shoes and comfortable clothing.  For questions or inquiries, please call (703)583-6904 or send an e-mail to leesylvaniavc@dcr.virginia.gov.

Flutter on over to meet with Master Naturalist Kim Manion to discuss all things butterflies.

Find our ranger on the fishing pier to hear all about our concrete fleet and the history of Kiptopeke State Park.

Nature journaling is the intersection of art, science, and curiosity.