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.

Are all snakes venomous?

Meet at the Big Water Visitor Center and help our resident box turtle have some fun in the sun!  Learn about different turtles that call Kiptopeke home and why it's important to keep wildlife wild.

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

Follow the path taken by old miners of days gone by.

The Visitor Center is home to two freshwater Red-Eared Slider turtles, Jennika and Venus, and it is time for them to eat.

Homeschool students will explore wetlands while learning about the unique ecosystem.

It's feeding time for two of our ambassador reptiles, Stevie the King Snake and Reba the Corn Snake, and we welcome you to attend this demonstration and learn about these snakes as they prepare to feed on a frozen mouse! .

Virginia is home to a healthy population of black bears; do you know what to do if you encounter one?

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.

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

Murders over moonshine rocked the town of Fayerdale in the 1920s and 30s, leaving a dying town remembered for tragedy rather than the mining operations that once made it a boomtown. Moonshining (illegal whiskey making) was quite prevalent in and around the Fairy Stone State Park area in the early 1900s. Jealousy, greed, and competition often led to feuds, brawls, and even killings.

Bring your curiosity as we explore the fascinating wetland ecosystem!

Have you ever heard of a pawpaw?

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.

Paddle your way around the park’s unique ecosystem.

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

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

Ever wondered what the concrete ships look like up close?

If you're looking for an accessible introduction to naturalism for young children, Story Time with a Ranger is the program for you.  Stories about the life cycle of trees, the anatomy of bugs, and animal life on the river are all on the agenda for August.

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.  Call and register today.

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.

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

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

North America has one native tropical-tasting fruit - the pawpaw!

The Senior Ranger series is geared towards senior citizens who are interested in learning more about nature.

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

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

Join us for an exciting adventure on the Potomac River as we explore its aquatic treasures using a traditional seine net!

This is an easy and fun ride for cyclists of all skill levels that covers 8.6 miles out and back and takes about 1.5 hours.

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

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

Calling all homeschoolers!

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

What will we scoop up this time?

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

Learn about the reptiles that can be spotted in the park!

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.

A face only a mother could love?

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.

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.

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.

Just because we don’t always spot them, we know the animals are around by the tracks and traces they leave behind.

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

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

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

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

The Bay can hold many secrets.

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets held by the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

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.

Join a park ranger for this competitive adventure on the one-mile loop Goodwin Lake Trail.

Join us for an immersive adventure!

Dive into the history of the Occaneechi Tribe that once called Occoneechee State Park home.

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

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

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 per person.  Great for all ages! .

Autumn is not the only season that is perfect to take a wagon ride. Take a relaxing ride through the park and campground, experiencing the sounds of summertime.

The objects left behinds by people of the past may say more than you'd think.

Come with us on a guided canoe tour of the beautiful lake at Fairy Stone State Park.

Twilight is the perfect time to search for salamanders.

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

**This concert has been rescheduled from the original July 20, 2024 date to September.** The English Channel performs the extraordinary British hits of the mid 1960's and 1970's.

Enjoy the sounds of local musicians as you take in our beautiful park.

Enjoy a magnificent sunset on the tranquil Potomac River and listen for nocturnal creatures. We'll meet at the Visitor Center to gear up before paddling out to Caledon Marsh in hopes of observing birds and other wildlife.

Ever wondered what you could do with what's under your feet?

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

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

Rev3Endurance is hosting the Shenandoah River Adventure Race, which is an official Virginia State Park Adventure Series race.

Get outside and join volunteers at Caledon State Park to help improve Caledon's trail system.

The Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum to host their Annual Yard Sale fundraising event.

Have you ever heard a bird call and wanted to know what bird made that noise?

Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater Peninsula.

Join a park ranger on a hike to the waterfall and back.

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

Enjoy a morning of family fun, fish, learn about the Potomac River, and maybe win a trophy!  Sponsored by the Friends of Leesylvania State Park, these fishing tournaments throughout the summer are suitable for all ability levels, ages 3-15.  No rod and reel?  No problem!  The Friends have suitable tackle on hand to loan.  We hope to see you there!

Join us for a rewarding morning of gardening with fellow plant lovers.

Get knee-deep in the Shenandoah during Fly Fishing 101!  During this program, our fly-fishing instructor will go over all the basics to get you catching your first fish on a fly!

Join us for a guided tour of the Overton-Hillsman House (circa 1780) at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park to learn about everyday experiences during the 19th century.

Join our staff for a guided tour of Mulberry Hill, the plantation home of Judge Paul Carrington, Virginian and Founding Father. Mulberry Hill was a working tobacco farm owned by the McPhails during the American Civil War and was used by Union General Wilson as his headquarters during the 1864 cavalry raid into Southside Virginia.

Stop by the nature booth to borrow a Family Learning Adventures adventure pack for the day.

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.

Put yourself into the shoes of an Ice Age hunter in this spear-throwing workshop. Long ago, giant beasts roamed the land that we now call Virginia.

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

Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.  We will hike to a small woodland and marsh stream, freshwater pond, and brackish/saltwater river.  With nets, we will capture and identify different crustaceans, fish, and take note of plant life. .

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.

Who says you have to get up at the crack of dawn to go bird watching?

Late Summer moving towards Fall might very well be the best time of year to look for wildflowers in our park.

Mussels play a huge part in our watershed.

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.

Toads, Turtles, and Snakes- Oh my!

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

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

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

Owls, bats and bugs oh my!

Join us for a lakeside, beginner session of yoga.

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