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

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

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

The warm days may be coming to a close, but the time to volunteer will always be here!

Calling all homeschoolers!

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

During this one-mile trek, a ranger will guide you through this journey through time on Goodwin Lake Trail. Although rated easy, this trail may not be suitable for those with strollers or severe mobility issues.

Learn about the reptiles that can be spotted in the park!

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Become a prospector as we follow in the footsteps of "Stampmill Sam".

What is a water cycle?

Join us at the Big Water Visitor Center for a feeding frenzy! You will be able to observe a variety of animals in our saltwater fish tank along with our resident Eastern box turtle. Learn how to identify the different species and what they all like to eat.

A face only a mother could love?

Join us and Mount Rogers Community Services and immerse yourself in nature's grandeur while fueling your body, mind, and soul every Friday at noon.

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.

Just because we don’t always spot them, we know the animals are around by the tracks and traces they leave behind.

Watch Ranger Scout the snake stretch his jaw muscles as he consumes his favorite snack...a mouse!  Parks are for everyone.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

Take a break and come visit with the rangers.

Come over to picnic shelter #2 and get inspired by the great outdoors.  Create your own masterpiece!  Great for all ages. .

The Bay can hold many secrets.

Join our rangers in discovering the secrets held by the magnificent White-tailed Deer.

Come join a ranger and learn all about bees!

Need a break from your long trip and have a little fun? Do you like being creative? We have many things to see at our Visitor Center.

Did you know owls get "hairballs?" About once a day, an owl spits up a ball of hair and bones--leftovers from their most recent meals--called an owl pellet.

Join us for an immersive adventure!

"Aww, isn't that cute" probably aren't the words most people say when they see a vulture.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?  Join us on the fishing pier while we show you just how easy and fun it is.  $2 per person.  Great for all ages! .

Are you an expert angler or looking to pick up a couple fishing tips?

Autumn is not the only season that is perfect to take a wagon ride. Take a relaxing ride through the park and campground, experiencing the sounds of summertime.

Join the Fun at Widewater State Park: Fishing Adventures Await!

Pollinator populations everywhere are in a steady decline, but why all the buzz about it?

Twilight is the perfect time to search for salamanders.

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

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

Who-who-whooooo's calling?

Join us around a relaxing campfire on autumn's eve as our rangers discuss why leaves change color.

The one and only mammal on the planet capable of true flight absolutely loves Hungry Mother.

Join a ranger on a guided hike to learn more about different ecosystems found in the park.

Bring your family and friends and join a park ranger for a campfire on the water’s edge at the beach amphitheater.

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

Come celebrate this native Virginia fruit with a 10-mile or 5-mile run. The event will also feature beer trucks, family and nature programs, and live music.  Participants will run the exterior trails of the park.

Join a park ranger on a hike to the waterfall and back.

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

The Park will offer a monthly Prowl the Powell a monthly nature series on the third Saturday of each month.

The Friends of Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park invite visitors to attend a fall American Civil War battle re-enactment at Sailor's Creek.

The warm days may be coming to a close, but the time to volunteer will always be here!

Start your weekend with fresh air, beautiful scenery, comradery, and a feeling of accomplishment.

Take into your heart the peace of wild things.

Join the Friends of Mason Neck and Fairfax Master Naturalists for a rewarding day of volunteer garden work!

Join the Smith Mountain Lake community in the effort to eliminate poverty in the region.

Long before there was a York River State Park, or even a York River, 6,000 plus years ago, marine creatures swam here in a shallow sea.

Got an eye for nature?

Grab a wildlife scavenger hunt from the visitor center and discover a new way to explore.

Are there actually beavers in Beaver Lake?

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.

Mussels play a huge part in our watershed.

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

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

See First Landing in a whole new lens in this guided hike through one of the most vital ecosystems around: the marsh!

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

As the seasons change, feathered friends will appreciate some extra sustenance.

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

Owls, bats and bugs oh my!

Join our costumed interpreters for a demonstration of historical cooking methods in the Jones-Stewart Mansion's original brick kitchen.

Get creative when you build your very own bug at this ranger-led program.

The Visitor Center is home to two freshwater Red-Eared Slider turtles, Jennika and Venus, and it is time for them to eat.

We are hosting Central Virginia’s most exciting new event, the 2nd Annual Pawpaw Festival.

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.  Join a park ranger and use nets to catch animals.

It's feeding time for two of our ambassador reptiles, Stevie the King Snake and Reba the Corn Snake, and we welcome you to attend this demonstration and learn about these snakes as they prepare to feed on a frozen mouse! .

Nature provides colorful outdoor scenery during the Autumn months.

Step inside to learn all about the magic of the Chesapeake Bay and its inhabitants.

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.

The Bay View Trail is one of our most popular hiking options.

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.

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.

We would like to introduce you to “Boxer” the box turtle.

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

Are all snakes venomous?

Join our costumed interpreters for a demonstration of historical cooking methods in the Jones-Stewart Mansion's original brick kitchen.

Some of Virginia's coolest mammals are rarely seen by humans.

Join a ranger at the Canoe / Kayak Launch picnic area to see a sampling of trees that call Belle Isle home, gain some tree knowledge and make a craft to take to your home.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Have you ever heard an owl sing at night?

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!

Have you ever fished the Chesapeake?

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

Join a ranger to see what critters live amongst the oysters and learn how these important bi-valves help clean the waters in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Oysters not only filter water, but create habitat and provide food for both humans and other animals.

Trees have magical qualities which give us many important everyday items and the oxygen we breathe.

Every week the Rangers at First Landing will show off some of our fabulous animal ambassadors to provide an up-close look at the reptiles and amphibians that call First Landing home!

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found around the park.

Did you know owls don't chew their food?

Ever wonder what dolls of the 18th century frontier looked like or what they were made of?