Ready, set, crawl, to join General Raphael, our non-releasable rescue eastern box turtle, as we explore more about her and the animal friends she shares her habitat with.

Join us to learn about insects and the different jobs they do here at Fairy Stone State Park and in your own backyard. Our adventure will continue as we search the area to find examples of these important members of our neighborhood.

Be on the lookout for our Roving Ranger as they roam the picnic areas and beaches with interesting animal or historical artifacts from the park.

Invaders are taking over Fairy Stone State Park and your own backyard.

Did you think their stink was all you needed to know about skunks?

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

Join Park Staff for a majestic kayak paddle along the waters of Back Bay by the light of the moon.

Enjoy a cool fall evening with a short, moderate hike to the highest point in the park, Little Pinnacle, to witness one of the most stunning sunsets in Virginia.

Everyone has heard of dancing in the moonlight, but what about kayaking?

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

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

This summer, the Junior Ranger program is exploring a different life group every week, and Week 5 is Aquatic Ecosystems! Programs run Monday - Wednesday from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Outdoor and weather appropriate clothing must be worn as we will be exploring the park; getting dirty and/or 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.

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 is wet, muddy, has lots of plants and animals, and kind of stinks?

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

Toads, Turtles and Snakes- Oh my!

Join us at the Discovery Center as we create unique nature-based bird feeders that you may take home with you and hang up for the backyard birds near you.

Owls, bats and bugs oh my!

Perched upon a small hill overlooking the old Norfolk & Western railway station sits the old Foster Falls Hotel.

Come be a scientist for the day with our park rangers!

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

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

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.

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.

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

Do you love art and nature?

Do you enjoy listening to the birds chirp outside and hearing the trees in the wind?

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

Fire safety is one of our park’s top priorities.

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

This "crab" is actually more closely related to spiders and scorpions.

Perched upon a small hill overlooking the old Norfolk & Western railway station sits the old Foster Falls Hotel.

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

Take a half of a hike with a park ranger.

Who made those footprints?

Have you ever fished the Chesapeake?

Every Monday you can find local fresh produce, baked goods, honey, jams and jellies, soap, and local artisan crafters, as well as food vendors, here at Fairy Stone State Park.

How I wonder what you are...

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

Spend the cooler morning in the shade of the Lake Trail, as you follow the interpreter for a six-mile round trip on half the Lake Loop Trail.

Learn about the history of Westmoreland State Park and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as you walk to Rock Springs Pond accompanied by a ranger.

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?

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

The Fairfield Foundation opens the Timberneck house for free walk-in tours every Tuesday.

We need your help.

Sometimes the best way to make new discoveries in nature is to play a game. I spy something round on the ground. I spy something blue up high. Can you guess what “I Spy” as we hike the River Bank Trail?  Come find out and play along.

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

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

For ages 10+.

From the ashes of the old Fossil Beach has arisen a new, dynamic ecosystem.  The living shoreline between the rip-rap and water’s edge is attracting interesting estuarine and marine creatures and plants.  Discover them and how living shorelines enhance and protect our waterfronts.

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!

Are all snakes venomous?

Let's go on a scavenger hunt to learn about the geology of the park.

Wonder and walk with us as we take you on a journey through our senses.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

In the bird world, wingspan means everything.

Have you ever found a piece of colored glass or bottle along the shoreline that appears frosted, weathered, and tumbled almost as if it were stone?

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

Learn all about birds and their homes.

Leesylvania State Park is home to many different turtles!

Grab your gear and saddle up for a ride down the Cape Henry Trail, First Landing‘s longest multi-use trail.

Explore the various ways you can connect with the Earth through keeping a nature journal.

Through the ages humans have had an intimate relationship with fire.

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

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

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

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?

Try out freshwater fishing from the lake shoreline using our tackle.

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.

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

Come learn what makes cave ecosystems so delicate and special.

On this hike, all 5 of your senses will be stimulated as we immerse ourselves in nature.

For ages 10+.

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.

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.

It's feeding time, watch and learn about a few of our ambassador animals, Reba the Corn Snake or Stevie the King Snake, as they prepare to feed on a frozen mouse! .

Rainy days are not always very fun outdoors, but have you ever wondered what happens to a rain droplet when it falls from the sky?

Rising sea levels is something we have heard on the news and from public officials.

Have you ever been walking along a trail and come across a pile of "meatballs"?

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.

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

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

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

The Let's Go Adventures staff will introduce you to the basics like, how to select a rod and reel combo, knot tying, and selecting the right fly for conditions and species.

Bear Creek Lake is a modest 40 aces in size yet has a many-faceted story to tell.

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

This special introductory program is designed to provide an in depth look at the fossils that have been found along the Potomac River.  We will explore the world of fossils and the ones that occur here.

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

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

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