When a tree falls in the forest, what happens next?

Take a short walk with a ranger and explore the history of Douthat State Park.

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

There is a lot to discover at Leesylvania State Park.

Interested in the giants around you?

This summer, the Junior Ranger program is exploring a different life group every week, and Week 3 is Birds! Programs run Monday - Wednesday from 10am to 1pm. Outdoor and weather appropriate clothing must be worn as we will be exploring the park; getting dirty and wet are both strong possibilities! Closed-toed shoes are required every day. Please don't forget to bring a snack and a reusable water bottle, as well as apply sunscreen and bugspray before the program begins.

Immerse yourself in nature and experience the calming and health-promoting benefits of the forest.

Come walk the park's bluebird trail with a Virginia Master Naturalist as she checks the nest boxes and records data for the Virginia Bluebird Society.

What some people call creepy crawlies are actually some of the most interesting and beneficial animals in our area.

Toads, Turtles, and Snakes- Oh my!

For ages 10+.

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

While most of the adventure on the New River takes place above the water, there is no shortage of things to see below the water!

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our on-the-go naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.  Don't be surprised if he has a photo or two to share with you.

Get creative and be inspired by the beautiful scenery of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Join us to learn about the many raptors that live on the Potomac River!

Douthat State Park is home to many mammals including black bears.

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." After a short presentation on what you will be looking for, we will travel to the site.

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

Let’s go on a fun "History Hike" at Staunton River State Park.

Do you love art and nature?

You walk around trees all the time, but have you ever taken a chance to get to know what you're walking past?

“What does the fox say?” Did you know that there are two different foxes found in Virginia, the red fox and the grey fox?

Do you have what it takes to be a wildlife detective?  Get ready for a guided mission!

Take a half of a hike with a park ranger.

Animals have some amazing feats and hold some amazing records.

Stop by this Chesapeake Bay display on your way to the beach to hear a short talk about one of the nation’s most valuable waterways.

Hop on over to learn about this ancient insect eater, and discover how you can help preserve its habitat.

Evening is the perfect time to search for salamanders.

How I wonder what you are...

Let’s head over to Edmunds Lake and try to wrangle in some big fish.

Paddle your way around the park’s unique ecosystem.

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Have you ever bumped into one of our tall bark-covered residents and wondered who it is you've just run into?

Come learn what makes cave ecosystems so delicate and special.

Every week the Rangers at First Landing will show off some of our fabulous animal ambassadors to provide an up-close look at the reptiles and amphibians that call First Landing home!

For ages 10+.

Visit a ranger and learn about bear safety.

Join us for Toddler Adventure Time at Holliday Lake State Park!

Join us as we explore the wonders of nature.

Discover the world of pollinators from Monarchs to beetles to bats!

A face only a mother could love?

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." After a short presentation on what you will be looking for, we will travel to the site.

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

Join as at the Visitor Center and let's venture out into ancient times!

Scurry on over to investigate the secret life of bugs and understand how important these tiny creatures are to our ecosystems. We'll catch bugs of all shapes and sizes and then view them under magnification.

Sea glass is a beautiful sight when you walk along the beach, adding a splash of color.

Are all snakes venomous?

 How can we be more sustainable when practicing our favorite hobbies?

Join us as we comb the beach to discover what natural treasures await.  Great for all ages!  Meet at the south beach entrance. .

As animals explore their surroundings they leave us lots of clues.

Have you met the animals living at Hungry Mother State Park's Discovery Center?

Are you trying to secure the tarp over your tent, or interested in how to keep your boat or canoe tied up so that it won't float away? If so, then come on down and our ranger will teach you the correct knot to use.

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

Allow the evening to envelop you and enjoy a hay wagon ride with our park guide.

Join a ranger to hike along a section of the Mountain View Trail and cut through the woods for a short distance, seeing the ruins of an old moonshine still along the way.

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

This three-hour class will cover the basics of paddling skills including how to select and fit a person flotation device (PFD), different types of kayaks, planning and safety, and proper paddling strokes.

Join and ranger on a hike along the world-famous Appalachian Trail to the highest peak in Virginia: Mt.

Yes, you too can canoe! Canoes are stable and easy to control, despite what you might have heard.

Join a ranger and learn about the natural history of Westmoreland State Park and about the particular fossils you can find here.

Take your first steps on the path to adventure.

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

Time to go on a scavenger hunt in the campground.

For ages 10+.

Explore some of the coolest little critters that fly in our amazing world of the night sky above. Join an interpreter on Wednesdays this summer to learn about bats and what they mean for our ecosystem.

This nature walk and talk is about the textures and aromas of three native forest species and their role in developing special relationships between plants and humans.

Take a fascinating hike to learn about the rich history of James River State Park from fossils to the Civil War.

Come across our Ranger outposts stationed at a lesser-known part of First Landing State Park: the Narrows Beach!

Designed to introduce young participants to the wonders of the natural world and foster an appreciation for the environment.

Join a Virginia Master Naturalist and enjoy a one hour stroll on easy terrain looking for wildlife and plant life.

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

Watch and learn about our ambassador animals, Reba the Corn Snake or Stevie the King Snake, as they feed on a frozen mouse! .

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

Let’s go on a fun "History Hike" at Staunton River State Park.

If you have completed our Archery 101 program or have archery experience, you are invited to participate in our Archery 102 program.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

It's time for Mother Nature's most creative weavers to crawl out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

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

Find out what it takes to be an avid birder!

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

Migrate to the Discovery Center to learn about the fascinating "Fish Hawk".

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

Come along on a hike through Kiptopeke's trails to learn about the nature in our park.  Meet at picnic shelter #2.  The hike is roughly 2 miles long.  Great for all ages!

Get ready to catch gold fever and mosey on over to join our interpretive rangers on a quest for this elusive mineral.

Like them or loathe them, snakes are important to our ecosystems.

Getting out in nature has incredible benefits to our health and wellness.

Express yourself on the trail with a stylish and unique hiking stick you designed and decorated yourself.

Who made those footprints?

Enjoy a relaxing paddle on the Potomac River! This paddle tour is designed to show you the ecosystem, wildlife, and views from the river as we look back to the shoreline of Westmoreland State Park.  This paddle provides excellent views and wildlife sighting opportunities to include, the Horsehead Cliffs (from a safe distance),stratigraphy of the Cliffs, erosion and water as a true natural force, a brief fossil hunting on fossil beach, and significant bird watching opportunities to include special and unscheduled appearances by Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Blue Herons, and more!  Please sign up and pay in advance for this program at the Visitor Center. Guests should meet at the day-use beach and boathouse area. All equipment is provided however participants should wear closed-toed shoes. All children participating should be over 35lbs. Participants should wear a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and bring water and snacks with them.  This paddle begins at the scheduled time and can run for roughly 2 hours. This program is limited to 10 spots.

Hop on over to learn the calls and search for some of Virginia's native frog species.

The day has been filled with fun activities, but now it is time to wind down with a peaceful paddle on the lake.

Experience an enjoyable ride on the lake while we watch the sun slip below the horizon.

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Interested in the history of Westmoreland State Park?  Join a ranger to learn about the creation of Westmoreland State Park, and the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

Robin Hood, Katniss Everdeen, Hawkeye, fictional archers with real world skills.

This week's theme for Junior Rangers is Weather.

Over 200 years ago, early adventurers like Daniel Boone walked these same hills and valleys we see today.

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

Want to learn how to play the outdoorsman’s version of BINGO?