Experience life in the early 19th century with live music, blacksmiths, cooking, period camp, boats, and much more. This event will focus on two important parts of history from this area that had a profound influence on transportation and music in America: “batteaux and banjos.” See what it was like to live in the middle of the 19th century.

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

10 and 2, 10 and 2, get into the rhythm of fly fishing.

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?

Kids’ Activity Book: This free book contains activities for the young (or young at heart).

Have you ever wondered about the birds in your area?

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

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

Overlooking the New River, the Shot Tower was built in the 1800s to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers.

Hot diggity dog, the Friends of False Cape are having a FUNdraiser!

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

Explore all about the Northern Flying Squirrel and why they call Grayson Highlands State Park their home.

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

Ahoy Matey!

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

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

During the spring and summer, osprey dominate the skies over Leesylvania as they build nests and raise their young.

Do you want to learn how to identify the different species of dragonflies found at Mason Neck State Park?

Walk through history by touring historic Mount Bleak House.

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

Enjoy historical interpretation inside the Brick Kitchen to learn more about this ancient, practical, and culinary craft tradition that is at the center of European cuisine.

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.

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

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.

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.

Leesylvania makes its own worm compost!  Join rangers as we take a closer look at worms and how they can benefit your kitchen and backyard.

The Bear Creek Lake State Park Archery Club is open to beginner and intermediate level archers 18 years old and older.

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

Stop by the ranger's tent on the way to the pool for fun a peek at some critters and a cute craft.

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

Find the "roving ranger" as they travel around the waterfront to learn how YOU can save a skunk and the other wildlife that call the park home.

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

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

Bring home a piece of history from Westmoreland as you learn to create shark tooth necklaces.  All resources are provided, including shark teeth that you can choose from to create your super cool necklace that can be shown off to all your friends.

Visit a ranger and learn about bear safety.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will host a special Father’s Day “Lunch on the featuring local father/son duo Joey & Evan O’Quinn This father/son duo first appeared on stage together fifteen years ago at the June Toliver Playhouse with the Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama.

Pottery is one of the oldest forms of decorative but functional art forms and is found in cultures across the world.

10 and 2, 10 and 2, get into the rhythm of fly fishing.

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!

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.

Frogs, turtles, and fish, oh my! Explore the life that exists in the pond while learning about the abundance of animals that call this ecosystem home.

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.

Explore the life cycle of butterflies.  Learn what is special about the monarch butterfly.  What do they like to eat?

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

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!

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.

Evenings are a wonderful time in the park to be on the water.

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.

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.

Mason Neck State Park is home to many species of turtles. Whether they’re basking by the pond or laying eggs by the road, these animals can be found everywhere! Come touch some real turtle shells and learn about their physical and behavioral characteristics, and make sure to stop by the Visitor Center and see our very own Red-Eared Slider, Myrtle!

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

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

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

FLSP is excited about our 2024 Junior Ranger Camp!  Online registration will begin Monday, Feb. 19th, at 9:00 a.m. via SignUpGenius.

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

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!

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.

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?

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.

Drop by the kiosk at the Spillway, pick up a special brochure, and get ready to get dirty with our seasonal scavenger hunts for kids.

If you're interested in learning about trees while you hike, this self-guided program is for you.

Stop by the Discovery Center and go inside to grab a booklet that will take you and your kids on adventure through time in Hungry Mother State Park.

Find the special Track Trail kiosk at the corner of Parking Lot 6 to pick up a brochure with fun activities for kids to enjoy around the park.

If you're excited to learn more about our native plants and animals, then you're in the right place.

Stop by Hungry Mother's Discovery Center and ask front desk about our Park Packs.