Is your little one interested in becoming an official Seven Bends State Park Junior Ranger?

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

Yes, you too can canoe!

This summer, the Junior Ranger program is exploring different biomes, and Week 1 is Wetlands! 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 lunch and a reusable water bottle, as well as apply sunscreen and bugspray before the program begins.

Take a fascinating hike to learn about the rich history of James River State Park from fossils to the American Civil War.

Migrate to the Discovery Center to learn about the fascinating "Fish Hawk".

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

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 head to the site.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

“What does the fox say?” Did you know that there are two different foxes found in Virginia, the red fox and the grey fox?

Right now in Fairy Stone Lake, giant gelatinous blobs resembling brains can be found attached to stationary objects in the water, using their tentacles to feed.

Trees are so important to our environment. They give us air to breathe, homes for animals, wood to build our homes and help control erosion.

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

Whether you're fascinated or a little rattled, snakes are a vital part of healthy ecosystems, and they’re not as scary as they seem.

Get creative and be inspired by the beautiful scenery of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Hop on over for a hands-on adventure into the world of frogs. Join park staff as we search for some of Virginia’s native frog species and their tadpoles.

Experience an enjoyable ride on the lake while we watch the sun slip below the horizon.

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Want to learn how to play the outdoorsman’s version of BINGO? Each guest will be given a Virginia State Parks Bingo Card with a picture or a word in each box. If you find five objects in a row on your card, then you get BINGO. Let's set out on the trail and see what kind of natural wonders we can find. Along the way we might also be able to observe the Staunton River and learn about the history of the Park.

Geocaching combines Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with nature to provide adventure for treasure hunters all over the world.

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

Just as caterpillars grow and change, our Caterpillar Club programs are designed to help your little one grow and change.

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

Black bears are one of the many incredible mammals that dwell in Douthat State Park.

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 head to the site.

This program is all about learning how to identify wild animals by the tracks that they leave behind.

Calling all budding detectives.

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the remarkable abilities of bats and the importance of preserving their habitats.

The batteau was a historically significant boat used in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?

How much do you know about Douthat State Park's past?

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

We all love the great outdoors and enjoy nature. Sometimes we are in a hurry and miss out on all the little things nature has to offer. The James River and its lush landscapes have always been a source of life and inspiration. So, let's take that inspiration and have a “brush” with nature while we paint what we see and talk about what we are painting.

Join our volunteer on a short stroll and tour of the historic Howe House.

Hop on over to learn about this ancient insect eater, and discover how you can help preserve its habitat.

Join us for a refreshing blend of learning and outdoor fun that promotes environmental awareness and sparks a sense of wonder about the tiny worlds hidden in plain sight, right by the pool.

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

Slip on your closed-toe shoes and get ready to explore the creek.

Let us teach you all the basics you'll need to know to get yourself started with one of our most popular outdoor activities, from tying on your hook and tackle to casting your line.

Join us for an evening exploring the diversity of Virginia's native nocturnal wildlife.  Erin Shibley, Program Coordinator with the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, will present an interactive program about the behavior and ecological benefits of bats and other nocturnal animals.

Shine a light on days gone by with a lantern-lit history tour of the Natural Bridge.

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

Let us teach you all the basics you'll need to know to get yourself started with one of our most popular outdoor activities, from tying on your hook and tackle to casting your line.

Explore the beautiful wetlands or river with us.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Have you ever wondered what lies under your feet?

Interested in learning about local geology?

Come celebrate national bird day with this fun Birding Bingo.

Have you ever wondered what makes an owl such a skilled night hunter?

Paddling a kayak gives you a new perspective of the world.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, or is that a bat?

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 head 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.

Join us for an exciting journey into the world of butterflies with our Citizen Science Series, "Exploring Nature with eButterfly." We will explore how to utilize eButterfly, a cutting-edge citizen science platform, to identify, document, and contribute to butterfly research. Discover the rich diversity of butterflies in their local ecosystems and gain valuable skills in butterfly identification, observation, and data collection.

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.

Step into the shoes of an archaeologist and uncover the secrets of an owl’s diet!

Meet Gertie and Birdie, our Educational Ambassadors, and interact with our knowledgeable rangers while they care for these beloved critters.

Come learn about the Clinch River's famous mussels.

Our wildlife ambassadors are taking a field trip to the library!  Join us at Samuels Public Library for our interactive program Toads, Turtles, and Snakes.

Join a ranger as they showcase local rocks, minerals, and fossils commonly found around Natural Tunnel State Park.

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

Think you can stump a ranger?

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

Pan for gold in the James River while learning about Virginia’s unique geology, the rocks and minerals of the park, and the magnetic sand on the banks of the river.  Participants must be ages 10 and over.

Are you predator or prey?

Join us for "Turtle Time" at Holliday Lake State Park and meet our beloved turtle, Harrold Holliday!

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

This ranger-led hike will teach you the principles of "Leave No Trace".

Get down and dirty with this two-hour wild cave tour.

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

Ever wondered what critters are crawling beneath the surface of a stream? Join us on a fun adventure as we search the stream for interesting, tiny critters: freshwater invertebrates.

Holliday Lake State Park is buzzing with life this time of year.

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.

Enjoy the sounds of local musicians as you take in our beautiful park.

Come join the party!

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

Welcome to the park, kick off your stay with an unforgettable evening by the fire at the water's edge.

Join us at the Community Fire Ring to relax, enjoy a roasted marshmallow, and get to know your camping neighbors.

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

Join our rangers as we hang out in the park after dark!

June is a beautiful month to get outdoors and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. So, come on out on National Trails Day and get ready to have some fun. Whether you are hiking on foot, riding on your bike, or exploring with your equestrian companion, Staunton River State Park has got a trail for you.

Celebrate National Trails Day by participating in the 14th running of the National Trails Day 5K at High Bridge Trail State Park.

National Trails Day provides an opportunity for all outdoor enthusiasts to venture out onto their favorite trails for exercise and entertainment.

For Clean the Bay Day 2025, park rangers will be leading a volunteer shoreline cleanup from the water!

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

Celebrate Clean the Bay Day and National Trails Day by joining park staff and volunteers to help keep the Potomac River and Potomac Trail clean.

Join Kiptopeke State Park and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for the 2025 Clean the Bay Day Event. In 2024, more than 3,680 volunteers and 60+ Chesapeake Bay Foundation partners gathered at over 200 sites across Virginia.

Take a walk in a ranger's shoes while performing trail work this National Trails Day.

Join Douthat State Park and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for the 2025 Clean the Bay Day Event. In 2024, more than 3,680 volunteers and 60+ Chesapeake Bay Foundation partners gathered at over 200 sites across Virginia.

June 7th is National Clean the Bay Day!

Celebrate National Trials Day by enjoying a guided hike on one of Hungry Mother's beautiful trails.

Join our volunteers as we participate in the 36th annual Clean the Bay Day.  We will collect debris from our York River shoreline and the nearby trails.  Volunteer registration begins in April on the Chesapeake Bay Foundation website or by calling (888)-728-3229.

Westmoreland State Park is proud to partner with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for Clean the Bay Day.

Did you know Twin Lakes State Park is in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

Give Cedar Creek a hand on this special volunteer cleanup day; the Chesapeake Bay will thank you!

Explore Occoneechee State Park and be a trail steward for a day.

Join us at Douthat State Park for our Monthly Volunteer Workday as we celebrate both National Trails Day and Clean the Bay Day.