Toads, Turtles, and Snakes- Oh my!

Geocaching combines Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with nature to provide adventure for treasure hunters all over the world.

Join the Rangers on a guided hike through our most popular trail!

The park is rich with historical sights, many of which are structures that were built when the park was opened.  We'll be taking a modest walk around the day use area of the park to observe the unique buildings and discuss how the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) used them while building the park.

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

This is an easy and fun ride for cyclists of all skill levels that covers 8.6 miles out and back and will take about one hour.

Join us as we explore the wonders of nature.

Have you ever heard an owl sing at night?

What's under that rock?

Join the Rangers each week to create a new nature-themed craft.

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

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

Did you know owls don't chew their food?

Don't judge a book by its cover!

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.

What can bones tell us about animal characteristics?  Different animals have unique skeletons that are specialized to their way of life.

Want to test your knowledge and learn about one of our most fascinating local animals?

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

Take a look at the fascinating lives of insects and let your creative juices flow.

June is National Pollinator Month!

Are all snakes venomous?

First Landing’s swamp are truly special, largely due to a particular type of tree.

Our surrounding flora is quite remarkable and contains the potential for both harm and healing.

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

Model and observe the different stages of a trees life, from seedling to sapling to a mature tree, and discover how important trees are to the life around them.  Parks are for everyone.

Hop on over and enjoy a short walk around Old Pond Trail as we look and listen for these amazing amphibians.

Join a park ranger for a gentle 0.5-mile journey that engages all your senses, inviting you to uncover the hidden wonders of the park.

Not all bees live in hives.

When it comes to carrying survival materials with you on the trail, every little bit of space counts, so hikers come up with creative ways to carry their gear.

Scurry on over to investigate the secret life of a bug.

Who pooped in the park?

What's under that rock?

Do you want to discover how music making can interact with being outdoors?

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

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

Add S'MORE fun to your camping trip!  Join us for an evening around a crackling fire!

Silent and spooky, the owl is a magnificent animal.

The surface of the water might seem calm, but down under there is an exciting world filled with all kinds of life.

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

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.

Explore the history of the Occoneechee Plantation on this guided hike around the Plantation Trail.

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

It's time to truly explore nature today!

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Mussels play a huge part in our watershed.

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

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

See First Landing in a whole new lens in this guided hike through one of the most vital ecosystems around: the marsh!

Been itching to go fishing?

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

Leesylvania makes its own worm compost!  Join rangers as we take a closer look at worms and how they can benefit your kitchen and backyard.

Tales and Scales: Mythical Creatures and Real-life Reptiles  Join us at Widewater State Park for an enchanting adventure where myths come alive!

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.

Hear the tale of star-crossed lovers that the trail is named after and view the tunnel from above.

Stop by and investigate the variety of flora and fauna found around Smith Mountain Lake.

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

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.

This is your chance to learn the sport of archery under the watchful eye of a certified instructor.

During this one-mile trek, a ranger will guide you through this journey through time on Goodwin Lake Trail. Although rated easy, this trail may not be suitable for those with strollers or severe mobility issues.

Forest Trails are not just for bikers.

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

Calling all Volunteers!

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

Have you ever touched bear fur or looked at the teeth of a beaver?

Learn all about birds and their homes.

Did you know your shoes leave more than tracks behind?

Become a prospector as we follow in the footsteps of "Stampmill Sam".

Did you know that water in our beautiful Shenandoah River eventually flows into the ocean?

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. .

This land-based, hook-free fishing game is a fun and safe way to learn how to cast, but even those who are fishing fanatics will enjoy trying to beat out the competition in this game of limited resources.

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found around the park.

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.

Have you ever heard the sound of a pack of coyotes howling in the middle of the night?

Is the Chesapeake Bay healthy?

Southwest Virginia is home to only two venomous snakes.

Without pollinators, people and all of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.

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?

Want to go on a scavenger hunt in the wilderness?

Let us keep the kids entertained while the adults set up or take a break from setting up and stop by for a quick craft; discussion of Belle Isle's history; or a lesson on critters.

Uncover the world of native fish at Widewater State Park!

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.

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

It's all fun and games at the campfire.

Where's the best place to fish at the park?

Come join us around the fire.

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.

Paddle under the darkening sky to visit the ghosts that haunt the lost town of Fayerdale.

Welcome to Staunton River State Park.

Join a Westmoreland interpretive ranger and your fellow campers as you enjoy a relaxing evening next to our fire.

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

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

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

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

“Have you heard of Master Naturalists before?  This is a group of trained volunteers who love the natural world and support it by doing Citizen Science, Stewardship projects and help educate the public at different events.   This walk will be a slow-paced walk, once you meet Master Naturalists you will understand we stop and look at everything!  We are inviting you and local Northern Virginia Chapters to come to Sweet Run to enjoy the beauty of the park and discover something new.   We will have a “What’s in your backpack”  discussion prior to the walk,  Master Naturalists will show what equipment they find necessary for a walk.    Please plan for weather, as long as it is not thundershowers, we will walk.  Wear close toed shoes.  Pack a reusable water bottle, bug repellent and sunscreen are encouraged.  After the walk, we will gather around picnic tables, and share some stories, and resources, so please pack a lunch and water and join us!  All ages welcome.  This walk is designed for adults and older teens.  .

Explore the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains while discovering a variety of local and migratory bird species.