We need your help.

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!

Go back in time to the historic village of Foster Falls.

Bring your creativity and express your individuality and join Leesylvania State Park Rangers throughout the park for a unique crafting experience!  Each session is a one of a kind experience.  See you there!

A face only a mother could love?

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

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.

Leesylvania State Park is home to many different turtles!

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

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

Get your feet wet investigating the vast array of life in a stream. Catch crawdads, salamanders, frogs and such.

Tie-dye wasn't the brainchild of American hippies during the 1960s.

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.

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

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

Get down and dirty with this two-hour wild cave tour.

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

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.

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

🐞🐛🐜 Buggy Tales: Insects and Their Incredible World 🐜🐛🐞    Explore the tiny yet mighty world of insects at Widewater State Park!

Fishing can be as easy as tying your shoes.

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

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, or is that a bat?

Every animal has unique features and traits that make them special and suited for their natural environment.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

Interested in the giants around you?

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

Tree cookies might sound like a scrumptious new flavor, but unless you're a termite, please don't eat these cookies.

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

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

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

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

Who made those footprints?

Join our Park Rangers for a unique experience of Aquia Creek as the cloak of twilight descends.

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.

Join an interpretive ranger on a hike to the Fairy Stone Dam and Spillway.

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

Join rangers at the park for a fun nature reading session.

This week's theme for Junior Rangers is Aquatic Ecosystems.

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.

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

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

Come learn about the life of hunters and what goes into protecting our ecosystems!

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

🐸Tales of Slimy Monsters: Amphibian Wonders🐸 Dive into the world of magical amphibians at Widewater State Park!

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.

Ever wonder what the fish are doing when they dive deep under water?

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.

Have you ever heard an owl sing at night?

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

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

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

Join us for "Tree Topia" as we uncover the magical realm of trees and their incredible role as habitats!

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

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.

Did you know owls don't chew their food?

Come make some stylish and useful bracelets that could help you when you are out in nature!

There’s duck calls and elk calls, but have you ever heard a squirrel call?

Have you ever wondered what lies under your feet?

Join us in seeing what it’s like to be an outdoor scientist!

Are all snakes venomous?

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

While we sleep a whole new set of nocturnal animals come out to begin their "daily" activities.

Join a park ranger to play a game, meet a friend, and learn about how Virginia wildlife defends itself from predators and how we can stay safe in nature!

What is your favorite camping activity: roasting marshmallows, hiking a trail, staying up late and looking at the stars, using a flashlight, or sleeping in a tent? Tell the ranger why you think camping is so much fun, then explore camping life as you create some awesome crafts.

Not all bees live in hives.

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.

Come view a resident Osprey nest along the New River in Fries, Virginia.

Did you know you can make paper from paper?

Come explore the historic town of Fries.

What's under that rock?

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.

This tabletop program displays different projects you can create at home to help support wildlife in your own outdoor space.

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

Shine a light on days gone by with a lantern-lit history tour of the Natural Bridge.

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!

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.

Do your kids enjoy gardening?

Overlooking the New River, the Shot Tower was built in the 1800s to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

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.

Ever wanted to learn how to fish, but never knew where to start?

June 7-9 is free fishing weekend in Virginia, meaning no fishing is license necessary!

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

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.

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.

Fly on over and learn how to make a bird feeder from natural materials which you can keep.

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.

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.

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