As a special opportunity during the park's quarterly cleanup, for Clean the Bay Day 2024 two park rangers will be leading a volunteer shoreline cleanup from the water!

Come experience the beautiful James River on this guided kayak tour. The trip includes a brief overview of paddling safety and techniques, as well as on-the-water interpretations of natural and cultural features.

Head to Smith Mountain Lake State Park to enjoy all this fishing clinic has to offer.

Help preserve the health of our local waterway, the mighty James River!

Join Yoga Instructor Kelly Blevins to experience a more engaged form of yoga as you strike poses on our stand-up paddle boards out in the lake.

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

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Yes, you too can canoe! Canoes are stable and easy to control, despite what you might have heard.

Join our Park Rangers for a unique experience of Aquia Creek as the cloak of twilight descends.

The day has been filled with fun activities, but now it is time to wind down with a peaceful paddle on the lake.

Enjoy a fun paddling adventure at Leesylvania State Park on Powell's Creek!  Watch majestic bald eagles and ospreys soar above, a heron hunting along the shore, and turtles basking in the  sunshine.

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Come with us on a guided canoe tour of the beautiful lake at Fairy Stone State Park.

End your week with a relaxing paddle along Swift Creek Lake.

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

Paddle through the Catlett Islands on a Ranger led kayak tour which explores the diverse wildlife, ecosystems, and history of the park.

Experience Occoneechee State Park from a different perspective, as you paddle around the shoreline of Buggs Island Lake.

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Join Yoga Instructor Kelly Blevins to experience a more engaged form of yoga as you strike poses on our stand-up paddle boards out in the lake.

Enjoy a peaceful morning canoe adventure at Leesylvania State Park on Powell's Creek!  Take in the tranquility of this tributary, watch majestic bald eagles and ospreys soar above, a heron hunting along the shore, turtles basking in the morning sunshine, or a river otter retiring for the day to its den.

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

This summer, the Junior Ranger program is exploring a different life group every week, and Week 2 is Insects! Programs run Monday - Wednesday from 10am to 1pm. Outdoor and weather appropriate clothing must be worn as we will be exploring the park; getting dirty and 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.

Paddle your way around the park’s unique ecosystem.

For ages 10+.

Yes, you too can canoe! Canoes are stable and easy to control, despite what you might have heard.

Spend time floating five and a half miles down the Clinch River.

For ages 10+.

*Rescheduled from 6/5 due to weather!* Join our Park Rangers for a unique experience of Aquia Creek as the cloak of twilight descends.

The day has been filled with fun activities, but now it is time to wind down with a peaceful paddle on the lake.

Paddle your way around the park’s unique ecosystem.

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

Enjoy a fun paddling adventure at Leesylvania State Park on Powell's Creek!  Watch majestic bald eagles and ospreys soar above, a heron hunting along the shore, and turtles basking in the  sunshine.

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

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

End your week with a relaxing paddle along Swift Creek Lake.

Enjoy a magnificent sunset on the tranquil Potomac River and listen for nocturnal creatures.

Paddle under the darkening sky to visit the ghosts that haunt the lost town of Fayerdale.

Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater Peninsula.

Explore historic Prince Edward Lake on this guided canoe tour led by rangers.

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

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

Paddle the lower Potomac River on a fossil finding adventure as we scour the shoreline for clues to the past.

Come on out to the park and test your paddling skills.

The York River is one of our nation's most historic waterways.  Discover Native American, Colonial, Civil War, and recent history by canoe or kayak.  Cost.

Join Yoga Instructor Kelly Blevins to experience a more engaged form of yoga as you strike poses on our stand-up paddle boards out in the lake.

Explore the marsh at night as you paddle up its placid waters.  Various creatures may be seen in the creek or along the shoreline, while bats fly above in the night sky.  You may even experience owls calling at a distance.  Take it all in as the light of the moon blankets the surroundings with mystery.  Reservations with pre-payment only.  Canoes  - $13/person or $8/person (family of 4+).

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Take a float as day turns into twilight, and the creatures of the night arise.

Yes, you too can canoe! Canoes are stable and easy to control, despite what you might have heard.

Spend time floating five and a half miles down the Clinch River.

Come on out to the park and test your paddling skills.

Enjoy a relaxing paddle on the Potomac River! This paddle tour is designed to show you the ecosystem, wildlife, and views from the river as we look back to the shoreline of Westmoreland State Park.  This paddle provides excellent views and wildlife sighting opportunities to include, the Horsehead Cliffs (from a safe distance),stratigraphy of the Cliffs, erosion and water as a true natural force, a brief fossil hunting on fossil beach, and significant bird watching opportunities to include special and unscheduled appearances by Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Blue Herons, and more!  Please sign up and pay in advance for this program at the Visitor Center. Guests should meet at the day-use beach and boathouse area. All equipment is provided however participants should wear closed-toed shoes. All children participating should be over 35lbs. Participants should wear a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and bring water and snacks with them.  This paddle begins at the scheduled time and can run for roughly 2 hours. This program is limited to 10 spots.

Join our Park Rangers for a unique experience of Aquia Creek as the cloak of twilight descends.

The day has been filled with fun activities, but now it is time to wind down with a peaceful paddle on the lake.

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

Enjoy a fun paddling adventure at Leesylvania State Park on Powell's Creek!  Watch majestic bald eagles and ospreys soar above, a heron hunting along the shore, and turtles basking in the  sunshine.

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

Paddling a kayak gives you a new perspective of the world and lifetime of adventures.

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Explore the 32-acre Prince Edward Lake, the larger of the park's two lakes, on this guided canoe tour.

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

Come with us on a guided canoe tour of the beautiful lake at Fairy Stone State Park.

End your week with a relaxing paddle along Swift Creek Lake.

Enjoy a beautiful full moon paddle on the lower Potomac River.

Twilight Paddle Adventures are a great way to spend an evening away from the hustle and bustle of work, traffic and the cares of life.

Enjoy a peaceful evening canoe adventure at Leesylvania State Park on Powell's Creek!  View the majestic colors of a Northern Virginia summer sunset on this tranquil tributary of the Potomac River while catching glimpses of the nocturnal wildlife emerging for the evening.  No paddling experience is required; all participants must be of 6 years or older.

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

Paddle through the Catlett Islands on a Ranger led kayak tour which explores the diverse wildlife, ecosystems, and history of the park.

Spend time floating five and a half miles down the Clinch River.

Grab your inner-tube and come experience the beautiful James River on a guided tubing tour. Come ready to get wet and soak up the summer vibes. The trip includes interpretations of wildlife and the history of the many cultures have depended on the river.

Explore the beautiful wetlands with us.

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

Explore the shoreline of the Potomac by kayak! Enjoy a daytime paddle on the lower Potomac River as we look and listen for bald eagles.

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

Experience Occoneechee State Park from a different perspective, as you paddle around the shoreline of Buggs Island Lake.

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Join Yoga Instructor Kelly Blevins to experience a more engaged form of yoga as you strike poses on our stand-up paddle boards out in the lake.

Enjoy a beautiful full moon paddle on the lower Potomac River.

Twilight Paddle Adventures are a great way to spend an evening away from the hustle and bustle of work, traffic and the cares of life.

Enjoy a peaceful evening canoe adventure at Leesylvania State Park on Powell's Creek!  View the majestic colors of a Northern Virginia summer sunset on this tranquil tributary of the Potomac River while catching glimpses of the nocturnal wildlife emerging for the evening.  No paddling experience is required; all participants must be of 6 years or older.

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

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

Paddle the lower Potomac River on a fossil finding adventure! Millions of years ago, Virginia was covered in a shallow sea that was teeming with life, leaving behind prolific fossil beds.

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

There is a lot to discover at Leesylvania State Park.

This summer, the Junior Ranger program is exploring a different life group every week, and Week 3 is Birds! Programs run Monday - Wednesday from 10am to 1pm. Outdoor and weather appropriate clothing must be worn as we will be exploring the park; getting dirty and 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.

For ages 10+.

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!

Paddle your way around the park’s unique ecosystem.

For ages 10+.

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

This three-hour class will cover the basics of paddling skills including how to select and fit a person flotation device (PFD), different types of kayaks, planning and safety, and proper paddling strokes.

Yes, you too can canoe! Canoes are stable and easy to control, despite what you might have heard.