Join us for a magical and entertaining view of one of our most treasured holidays at the Karlan Mansion.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

A beloved holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees celebrates its 29th year.

As you ride down on the chairlift and make your way to the tunnel, you will be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and see animated Christmas displays.

Carol your way through the winter woods on a wagon decorated with holiday lights.

Carol your way through the winter woods on a wagon decorated with holiday lights.

Make the most of the shortest day of the year and ring in the winter season with a series of ranger-led hikes.

Join False Cape staff and volunteers in helping keep our beaches pristine by picking up shoreline debris.

Start your weekend with fresh air, beautiful scenery, comradery, and a feeling of accomplishment.

What better way to start the day than with a hot cup of coffee.

Make the most of the shortest day of the year and ring in the winter season with a series of ranger-led hikes.

Step into a world where science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) converge with the magic of winter at our snow-themed STEAM event.

Practice your detective skills by uncovering snakes hidden in images of their habitat, and discover how best to avoid those with venom.

We all enjoy a yummy meal and that’s the same for our resident snake that lives here in our Visitor Center.

Long before there was a York River State Park, or even a York River, 6,000 plus years ago, marine creatures swam here in a shallow sea.

Enjoy a winter birding adventure to discover duck species and habitats.  In less than a mile we will look for waterfowl from a shallow pond, tidal creek, and the river.  Bald eagles are also frequently found in the area.

Slither on down and join the Park Ranger for an in depth look into the fascinating lives of some local reptiles.

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

Winter reveals hidden secrets as animals leave tracks in the snow.

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! .

Tundra Swans are known for their striking white plumage and long, graceful necks, making them a favorite among birdwatchers.

Join us for a special holiday program that explores how soldiers during the Civil War experienced Christmas on the front lines and in camp.

Make the most of the shortest day of the year and ring in the winter season with a series of ranger-led hikes.

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

Step back in time as we uncover the mysteries of those at rest in the park's historic cemetery.

Embrace the beauty of winter and get crafty with natural materials. Join us at the Camp Store to create unique, nature-inspired crafts.

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.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.

Be on the lookout for our Roving Ranger as they roam the trail around High Bridge with interesting historical items from the park.

Join a ranger on this one-mile trek and discover the different flora and fauna that can be found in the winter. Be sure to wear warm, comfortable shoes and clothes, and bring a water bottle if possible.

How much do you know about Douthat State Park's past?

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.

Make the most of the shortest day of the year and ring in the winter season with a series of ranger-led hikes.

Join us for a magical and entertaining view of one of our most treasured holidays at the Karlan Mansion.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

A beloved holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees celebrates its 29th year.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is pleased to present “The Festival of Trees: An Evening Aglow” on November 23 and December 21 from 5-8 p.m. For these two evenings only, visitors will be offered an opportunity to view the museum in a different light.

Carol your way through the winter woods on a wagon decorated with holiday lights.

Westmoreland State Park welcomes you to attend our first Wreath Making Workshop.  Enjoy baked goods, hot cocoa, coffee, or tea whilst creating your very own festive decor for your home.  Holiday wreaths are beautiful, diverse, extravagant or quaint, and often handmade classic decorations that have come to represent that good old holiday cheer.   Gathering and harvesting of evergreens for the home during the winter was a practice of early Europeans.  Evergreens were a species that most looked at in awe and wonder as it was resilient to winter and quickly became a symbol of the season.  Try your hand at traditional wreathmaking.   All supplies provided.  Register and pay in-advance for your spot by visiting or calling the Visitor Center at 804-493-8821.

As you ride down on the chairlift and make your way to the tunnel, you will be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and see animated Christmas displays.

Carol your way through the winter woods on a wagon decorated with holiday lights.

Please Note: This is an entirely indoor astronomy program.

Carol your way through the winter woods on a wagon decorated with holiday lights.

Winter Trams at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offer the unique opportunity to observe and experience the incredible migration of waterfowl.

Craft a keepsake for the upcoming holiday season.

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.

Tundra Swans are known for their striking white plumage and long, graceful necks, making them a favorite among birdwatchers.

Come to Widewater and help our Rangers fill our windows with Holiday cheer!

Create a hand-made, nature-inspired souvenir to take home.

In the spirit of the holidays, enjoy a traditional and delicious in-season activity.  Decorate your very own gingerbread house.  All supplies are provided to include icing, sprinkles, candy canes, candy, and more!  Adventure to the Discovery Center to travel to the North Pole.  Bring your family or friends and get ready for fun.  There are 10 available spots for this program.  Please register and pay in-advance at the Visitor Center.

Join us for a magical and entertaining view of one of our most treasured holidays at the Karlan Mansion.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

Carol your way through the winter woods on a wagon decorated with holiday lights.

Carol your way through the winter woods on a wagon decorated with holiday lights.

Bring your canine companion and join the B.A.R.K.

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Meet Gertie and Birdie, our Educational Ambassadors, and interact with our knowledgeable rangers while they care for these beloved critters.

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

A beloved holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees celebrates its 29th year.

Winter Trams at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offer the unique opportunity to observe and experience the incredible migration of waterfowl.

Join a ranger, enjoy Big Meadow Trail, and learn about the natural history of Westmoreland State Park.

Would you like to have the chance to explore the trails in Powhatan State Park and meet new people?

Become a steward of nature while building your local community and connecting with the people near you that share a passion for the outdoors. Meet with rangers at the Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center for a short talk about conservation and to get supplies to clean up the trash that washes onto the shoreline or is left and scattered along the trails and recreational areas. Clean-Up days are self-paced, so come clean our shoreline for as much time as you can spare to make a difference at the park.

Look back on the year and plan for the next on this hike around Big Poplar Trail.

Come meet and greet Ranger Myrtle (our Red-Eared Slider turtle), Ranger Scout (our Western Hognose snake), and Ranger Brutus (our Copperhead snake) to discover what makes these rangers so special to Twin Lakes State Park.  Parks are for everyone.

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

Winter reveals hidden secrets as animals leave tracks in the snow.

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! .

Winter will be here before you know it, so join us to discover more about Hibernation, Adaptations, and Migrations or, what animals do to survive the colder, winter months.

Did you know owls get "hairballs?" About once a day, an owl spits up a ball of hair and bones--leftovers from their most recent meals--called an owl pellet.

Embrace the beauty of winter and get crafty with natural materials. Join us at the Camp Store to create unique, nature-inspired crafts.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.

Did you know Virginia used to be underwater?

Dive into an ancient craft with a ranger, known as Gyotaku fish printing.

How much do you know about Douthat State Park's past?

Join the Virginia Peninsula Stargazers as they point out the different items of our solar system in the night sky.  They will have the equipment.  Just bring your curiosity.  This program is dependent on the clarity of the viewing sky on the night it occurs. .

A beloved holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees celebrates its 29th year.

Craft a keepsake for the upcoming holiday season.

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.

Come to Widewater and help our Rangers fill our windows with Holiday cheer!

Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop where you'll craft your own adorable pinecone gnomes while discovering the importance of pollinator gardens!

Winter is here and many animals have entered hibernation.  What is hibernation?  Join a ranger for a story about this amazing adaptation, and create your own cozy bear cave to take home.

Walk through history by touring historic Mount Bleak House.

The Visitor Center at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park offers a museum filled with treasured artifacts discovered over the years where the last major fight of the American Civil War in Virginia occurred on April 6, 1865.

Tours of the Hillsman House, a National Historic Landmark, are available to the public by request.

A Self-Guided Driving Tour of Sailor's Creek Battlefield is available to visitors year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield offers six, self-guided Hiking Trails with historic markers for the public to explore year round during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).

The Staunton River Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided program that you can enjoy with family and friends.

Pick up the Staunton River State Park bird identification list in the Visitor Center for this self-guided program.

Pick up the Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center to begin this self-guided program.

Pick up this Ranger Quest guide at the Visitor Center to begin this self-guided program.

Did you know that Haven Howe was an early advocate for environmental reform in Virginia? Participate in person or virtually as we examine the fine craftsmanship of the Howe House and learn of its builder, inhabitants, and history.

Earn your junior ranger patch through a variety of programs and fun family activities.  Visit the park office, gift shop, or contact station for a copy of our junior ranger booklet, or you can download it from the link below.

Find out what it takes to be a ranger at Sky Meadows State Park.

A new discovery awaits your family with Sky Meadows' Discovery Backpacks.

Discover the different habitats Sky Meadows has to offer on our Kids in Park's TRACK Trail!

Stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a copy of a self-guided brochure on the "22 Trees of Virginia Tour." This one-mile hike will take you on an adventure to awe-inspiring overlooks while identifying some of the common trees you may find in your backyard.

Experience geocaching at Sky Meadows State Park with three park-themed caches.

Contribute to citizen science by helping us create a time lapse of this mysterious site.

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!