Discover our International Dark-Sky Park!

Join a ranger for an interactive evening by the campfire as we discuss the unique stories and critters of Pocahontas State Park and the Virginia State Park system.

Experience Douthat State Park's history and evening creatures all under the night stars in the middle of the lake.

When the sun takes its daily dive below the horizon and delivers night time to your doorstep, there’s no rule saying you have to stay in for the evening.

Join astronomy volunteers as they share the stories written in the night sky.

Experience the park at night with a ranger guide pointing out stars and planets, nocturnal wildlife, and the joys of a natural night with low light pollution.

Come join the storytellers from CHAOS (Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society) on the Observation Field to share the stories of the stars.

Did you know that James River State Park is a member of the International Dark Sky Association?

Join us after dark to observe moths and other insects of the night. Entomologists Dr.

Once the sun has slipped out of sight let the moon be your guide as we travel the trails looking and listening for the wildlife that can be found in our park.

Are you ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city?

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

Have you ever wondered what owls look like, what they eat, or where they live?

What better way to enjoy the many sights and sounds of the park than by kayak?

Join and ranger on a hike along the world-famous Appalachian Trail to the highest peak in Virginia: Mt.

Visit a ranger and learn about bear safety.

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

Nature is magic.

Over 200 years ago, early adventurers like Daniel Boone walked these same hills and valleys we see today.

Come visit the discovery table to behold some of nature's most amazing treasures!

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

Create your own Bear Creek Lake State Park souvenir while making memories.

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

Read a tale as you walk the trail. Begin at the CCC Museum to find out which trail will have the story and then begin your exploration and storytime at your own pace.

Beneath fallen tree branches and layers of fallen leaves exists an abundance of exciting mushrooms and other organisms!

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

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

Who was Elizabeth Hartwell?

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

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

Experience the wonderful wildlife that summer on the Potomac River and in the swamps and marshes of Caledon State Park.

Hungry Mother State Park's interpreters are always finding cool things around the park and thinking up new activities and crafts.

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

Want to go on a scavenger hunt in the wilderness?

Watch park staff feed "Ranger Shelly," our resident pet turtle, and learn fascinating facts about these shelled reptiles.

What is a seed bomb?

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.

Join us as we comb the beach to discover what natural treasures await.

Sunday Funday anyone?  Swing by our interpretive table in the picnic area to add some fun to your Sunday picnic!

Take a guided kayak paddle through beautiful Back Bay to look for wildlife and learn about this spectacular freshwater ecosystem.

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

Tour a replica of the Anderson Blockhouse as rangers provide information about the history of the building and area.

Inspired by our very own Red-Eared Slider, Myrtle, come learn about all the turtles that call Mason Neck their home and how you can act to protect them during their vulnerable nesting season.

You are invited to participate in a guided hike with an interpretive ranger to learn about the medicinal plants of central Virginia.

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 fascinating natural treasures at the Park Office, where a park ranger will showcase intriguing items you can see, touch, and learn about.

Of all the mammals, opossums are the most misunderstood. They are fascinating creatures with very unique characteristics.

Leesylvania State Park is home to many different turtles!

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.

Have you ever seen a great blue heron on the Bay View trail?

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

Have you ever wondered how to eat an acorn?

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

There is a lot to discover at Leesylvania State Park.

Become a birder, snorkel in the river, explore underground in a cave, catch a butterfly, tour a historic village, and learn primitive skills and campfire cooking...all in one week!

Your next adventure is HERE!  Join us for a week-long day camp as we explore Mason Neck State Park.  Each day we will find new adventures and learn more about the ecology of the park, while we play and challenge ourselves to try something new. Each camp will run Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 1:00 pm.

This summer, the Junior Ranger program is exploring a different life group every week, and Week 4 is Amphibians & Reptiles! 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.

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. .

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!

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

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?

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.

Explore amazing insects, get up close and personal with some of our reptile friends, splash through a creek looking for critters, and discover the world of rocks and minerals.

Do you have what it takes to be a wildlife detective?  Get ready for a guided mission!

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

Take a half of a hike with a park ranger.

Twilight is the perfect time to search for salamanders.

How I wonder what you are...

We are looking for the next generation of rangers, are you ready to give it a try?

Have you ever bumped into one of our tall bark-covered residents and wondered who it is you've just run into?

Want to learn how to play the outdoorsman’s version of BINGO?

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

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

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.

For ages 10+.

Are all snakes venomous?

A face only a mother could love?

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

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.

In the bird world, wingspan means everything.

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

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

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!

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.

Become a Junior Ranger at James River State Park!

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

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

Time to go on a scavenger hunt in the campground.

Explore some of the coolest little critters that fly in our amazing world of the night sky above. Join an interpreter on Wednesdays this summer to learn about bats and what they mean for our ecosystem.

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

For ages 10+.

Join a Virginia Master Naturalist and enjoy a one hour stroll on easy terrain looking for wildlife and plant life.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

What animal inspired a popular children's game?