By collecting monarch eggs and caterpillars to raise indoors, we are improving their chances of surviving to the butterfly stage; aiding this endangered species.

Looking for a family-friendly way to extend your summer fun?

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

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

Join a ranger, enjoy Big Meadow Trail, and learn about the natural history of Westmoreland State Park.

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!

Nature is magic.

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

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

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

Can you shout out BINGO first?  Join us for birding bingo, a guided birding hike along the Bluebell Trail.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

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

Learn about the reptiles that can be spotted in the 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.

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

Ahoy Matey!

Labor Day Weekend schedule of events: Sunday, Sep.

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

Ever wonder what the fish are doing when they dive deep under water?

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

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

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 our interactive Chesapeake Bay Lab to explore some of the interesting species inhabiting the local watershed.

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.

Turtles love worms, fish love worms, birds love worms, and interpretive rangers love worms.

The trash and litter we leave behind can hurt the environment.

Come as a family, with friends, or fly solo on this seasonal scavenger hunt.

In the 18th century, this area was a thriving place for business, people, and transportation.

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

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

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

Join the interpretive ranger to see how many of our common songbirds you can identify.

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.

Come explore aquatic life in the James River!

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?

Embrace your creativity by exploring unique connections to the natural and historic elements of the park through this dynamic art program.

Have you ever wondered what lies under your feet?

The Bay can hold many secrets.

What is a gundalow?  These long wooden flatboats were used to haul merchandise down the Shenandoah River.

Join the Rangers of First Landing as we show off some of our fabulous animal ambassadors to provide an up-close look at the reptiles and amphibians that call First Landing home.

Did you think their stink was all you needed to know about skunks?

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.

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

Archery programs are some of the best recreational activities that State Parks have to offer.

What bird lives most of its life on the ground, can fly as fast as a car, and was almost our national bird?

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

Stop by and investigate the variety of flora and fauna found here Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Join us at Widewater State Park for a slithery, fun-filled adventure with “Snakes Alive!” Meet our friendly, live, non-venomous snake ambassadors and learn fascinating facts from a park ranger who’s a herpetologist specializing in snake behavior!

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.

Discover the fascinating world of creepy crawlies and other unloved animals with a Park Ranger.

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

On Sunday, September 1st, the 21st Annual Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival will honor the memory and legacy of Dr.

Throughout the summer we offer multiple opportunities for you to take a tour of our beautiful park by wagon ride.

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

Tired of kayaking and canoeing and want to try something new on the water?

Join as at the Visitor Center and let's venture out into ancient times!

Enjoy a relaxing morning by taking a guided kayak paddle through the marshes of Back Bay.

Come learn what makes cave ecosystems so delicate and special.

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

It’s amazing how many of nature’s wonders are waiting to be discovered but are hidden in plain sight.

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.

Explore the park's expansive wetlands with us as we search for and identify the plants and animals that call this unique habitat their home.

Meet Natural Tunnel's wildlife ambassador, Popcorn the corn snake.

Owls, bats and bugs oh my!

Join us in the picnic area on the Labor Day holiday and paint your own flowerpot!

Show your conservation spirit this Labor Day through responsible beach going - stop by our table to pick up a trash bag and learn about how litter impacts our beaches.

Celebrate Labor Day by chilling beach side and showing off your creativity with a shore-themed craft.

Learn what beachcombing is all about at this Chesapeake Bay display or bring your own beach treasures to identify!

Step inside our interactive Chesapeake Bay Lab to explore some of the interesting species inhabiting the local watershed.

During the 18th century, master craftsmen taught skills and labor through apprenticeships.

The first Saturday of September is always International Vulture Day, and we start celebrating early.

Who made those footprints?

Be on the lookout for our Roving Ranger as they roam the picnic areas and beaches with interesting animals or historical artifacts from the park.

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

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.

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.

Create a recycled flowerpot out of newspaper that you can place right in the ground with native flower seeds.

Do you know how many common "weeds" have historic use as food and medicine?

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

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.

You can learn a lot about the health of a stream by seeing what lives beneath its surface.

Do you love art and nature?

Scurry on over to investigate the secret life of a bug.

Come along on a hike through Kiptopeke's trails to learn about the nature in our park. Meet at picnic shelter #2. The hike is roughly 1.5 miles long. Great for all ages!

Textile waste is over-crowding our landfills; definitely not the kind of crowd to be in!

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

Take a look at the fascinating lives of insects and let your creative juices flow.

Do you know the difference between toads and frogs?

Take some time to get out of the hot sun and join our park nature interpreter under the tent for some fun crafts. Create your own butterfly, make a picture using the sun, or "scratch-up" some art.

Climb to the top of Clyburn Ridge and take in the beautiful view of the lake and Molly's Knob.

During the 18th century, master craftsmen taught skills and labor through apprenticeships.

Not all bees live in hives.

Join us for an immersive adventure!

Look for the interpretive ranger on the sidewalk between the pavilion and sand at the swimming beach to have some fun making bubbles.

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 the Rangers for a family favorite holiday tradition -  an all out trivia battle!

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