Get away from the city lights and gaze at the celestial bodies in the night sky.  Discover how to identify constellations and hear a legend or two of how they came to be.  This program is dependent on the clarity of the viewing sky on the night it occurs.  Reservations with pre-payment only.  Canoes  - $13/person or $8/person (family of 4+).

Learn about Douthat State Park's forest nightlife as we immerse ourselves in the night time world of nature.

Are you looking for a light show without the fireworks this Independence Day weekend? Join park rangers for an exploration of our night sky at this International Dark Sky Park.

Perfect for families and curious minds of all ages, Solar Saturdays offer a bright way to learn and play under the sun.

When the sun goes down, our other senses become more alert than our sight.  Nocturnal creatures become more active in the pursuit of food and mates.  Hike with us for a magical natural journey through the night.  After the hike, continue your adventure with our Stargazing program.

Discover our International Dark-Sky Park!

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. .

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

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

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 astronomers from the Richmond Astronomical Society for Saturday Under the Stars.

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

Stop by the Visitor Center and have the opportunity to view the sun through a telescope.

The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.

Ever wonder what goes on at night in a park?

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.

Perfect for families and curious minds of all ages, Solar Saturdays offer a bright way to learn and play under the sun.

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.

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+).

Join us for a special night hike through False Cape State Park.

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

Join us for a sunset/moonlight bike ride on High Bridge Trail.

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

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

Join us for a night time tour of our beautiful park.

If you ever wanted to see a shooting star, come join our meteor shower watch! Join park rangers for an exploration of our night sky at this International Dark Sky Park.

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

James River State Park is a designated International Dark Sky park.

Stop by the Visitor Center and have the opportunity to view the sun through a telescope.

Throughout the year various constellations appear in the night sky.