This program will touch on different types of animal adaptations through arts and crafts.  Do you know the different types of color adaptations that animals have?

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

The Bay can hold many secrets.

Have you ever wondered what might be causing the knocking noise in the woods?

Get ready for a slithering good time with "Meet Hisstopher Holliday," who is our star cornsnake at Holliday Lake State Park.

Challenge yourself to name various songbirds found around Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Join the interpretive ranger and see how many of our common birds you can identify.

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.

Join certified Forest Therapy volunteer, Tina Hayes, for a relaxing program made to calm the mind.

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.

Fishing can be as easy as tying your shoes.

Come by the Ranger table near the beach to get a quick lesson on stewardship and learn how you can help keep First Landing clean - it takes a village!

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.

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

When a tree falls in the forest, what happens next?

  End the weekend with a scenic trip on the York River (or Taskinas Creek depending on water conditions) in the evening.  Discover the birds and creatures that are active in the gentle light of sunset.  Cost.

Bring your paint brushes, pencils, pens, felt, yarn and needles or whatever art medium you choose and meet us at the Interpretive Center to enjoy the view!  Poetry and gentle music also encouraged.

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

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

Immerse yourself in nature and experience the calming and health-promoting benefits of the forest.

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.

Owls, bats and bugs oh my!

Find out what lurks below the surface of the swamp in the fun dip-netting adventure!

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

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.

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.

One of the greatest Civil Rights pioneers of the 20th century will be remembered on his birthday where he was born at the Overton/Hillsman House.

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

Express yourself on the trail with a stylish and unique hiking stick you designed and decorated yourself.

This beginners guide birding program is designed for those folks interested in learning more about our feathered friends.  Join a ranger and enjoy observing wildlife in the park.

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

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

Have questions about the shells you find on the beach?

Have you ever fished the Chesapeake?

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.

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.

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

Join Leesylvania State Park rangers on an all ages nature adventure through our most popular trail, The Potomac Trail.

Our park interpreter will be stationed at Cullers Overlook to answer all of your questions.

Let’s head over to Edmunds Lake and try to wrangle in some big fish.

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

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?

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

We need your help.

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.

Join us as we explore the wonders of nature.

For ages 10+.

Ahoy Matey!

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Are all snakes venomous?

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

Want to know more about how our animal friends parented their young?

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.

This is a self-guided program for the whole family to enjoy.

The Archery Range opens for the season daily from 8 a.m. until dusk.

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).

Join us on a real or virtual hike through Claytor Lake State Park as we take a closer look at some of the beautiful native trees.

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.

Take a hike back in time by visiting our tour points located at the same location as our collection of photos and videos from past years at Claytor Lake State Park and Claytor Lake.

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!

Request a ranger to give your family or group a chance to engage in activities not otherwise available in our park.

We have some exciting self-guided activities launching this year; whether it's kayaking the New River, enjoying an audio tour, or becoming a Junior Ranger, there's something for everyone. Here is a list of what is available: Geocaching: This is a fun way to merge technology and outdoor exploration.

As you explore the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and the surrounding area, discover what makes this building so unique as well as what was commonly used on the frontier for survival during the 18th Century.

Enjoy a self-guided tour as you walk down to see the Natural Tunnel.

Put on your boots and take your class outdoors with our new teacher-led Outdoor Educator Backpack.

Biking is a wonderful activity to do here in the park.

Smith Mountain Lake is the perfect location for fishing.

Discover the secrets of the park through geocaching.

Schedule some fun at New River Trail State Park!

Belle Isle State Park has some great activities that you can do on your own schedule.

Belle Isle State Park is looking for the next generation of ranger, are you ready to give it a try?

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

Are you looking for a great activity for the kids that is both fun and educational?

Stop by the fishing area behind Howe House to check out our EnChroma color blind scenic viewer.

The park has over 12 miles of beautiful hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to moderate.

Throughout the year various constellations appear in the night sky.