The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is now accepting entries for its “Stitch in Time” Quilt Show.

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

This summer, the Junior Ranger program is exploring a different life group every week, and Week 1 is Plants & Fungi! 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.

The Fairfield Foundation opens the Timberneck house for free walk-in tours every Tuesday.

We need your help.

Want to learn what steps you can take to both help the ecosystem and bring wildlife to your own backyard?

A face only a mother could love?

Scurry on over to investigate the secret life of bugs and understand how important these tiny creatures are to our ecosystems. We'll catch bugs of all shapes and sizes and then view them under magnification.

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

As animals explore their surroundings they leave us lots of clues.

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

What's under that rock?

Join a ranger to hike along a section of the Mountain View Trail and cut through the woods for a short distance, seeing the ruins of an old moonshine still along the way.

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

Time to go on a scavenger hunt in the campground.

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.

Fly on over and learn how to make a bird feeder from natural materials which you can keep. Hang it up at your campsite or take it home with you. Discover a wide variety of birds as they fly in to enjoy your "buffet".

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

Let’s go on a fun "History Hike" at Staunton River State Park.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

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

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 'boom town.' 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.

Have you met the animals living at Hungry Mother State Park's Discovery Center?

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

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

Hop on over to learn the calls and search for some of Virginia's native frog species.

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

Join an interpretive ranger on a hike to the Fairy Stone Dam and Spillway.

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

It's time to truly explore nature today!

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

Want to go on a scavenger hunt in the wilderness?

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

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.

Have you ever heard an owl sing at night?

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

Staunton River State Park is home for many different types of wild animals.

Did you know owls don't chew their food?

While we sleep a whole new set of nocturnal animals come out to begin their "daily" activities.

Stop by the beach to see some cool critters, hold some interesting artifacts, and have your nature and history questions about Douthat State Park answered.

What's under that rock?

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

Silent and spooky, the owl is a magnificent animal.

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

Come and join us for our seasonal Summer Park Cleanup!

Join Yoga instructor, Kelly Blevins, to experience the calming benefits of yoga in a beautiful outdoor setting.

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

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Tour a replica of the Anderson Blockhouse as rangers provide information about the history of the building and area.

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

What will we scoop up this time?

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our on-the-go naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.  Don't be surprised if he has a photo or two to share with you.

Second only to humans in the ability to change their environment to fit their needs, learn just how smart a beaver can be.

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.

What's under that rock?

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.

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.

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

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

Meet local 'shellebrity', Ranger Shelly, our Red-eared Slider turtle as she suns herself and enjoys some enrichment at the beach area.

Needing a new pet in your life?

For those who just want something short and sweet, the ADA Fishing Trail is the place for you.

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect "Fairy Stone" that everyone is looking for.

Nature journaling is the intersection of art, science, and curiosity.

Did you know there was once a thriving "boom town" located where our lake is today?

Come "shell-ebrate" some of the coolest animals around and meet Hungry Mother's ambassador turtles.

Discover the magical realm of trees and their incredible role as habitats for a diverse array of creatures.

Let's learn all about our friends, THE BEES!

Find the "roving rangers" as they travel campgrounds to find out what cool things they brought with them from our Visitor Center.

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

Can’t seem to get your campfire lit?

After you set-up your campsite, take a break and join a ranger in front of the Campground Bath House to learn about the different waters located around Belle Isle and get information of how you can help clean the Bay. .

Tie-dye wasn't the brainchild of American hippies during the 1960s.

Discover how fire was used by Virginia’s First Peoples to fell trees and build canoes, followed by a tasty treat *Pre-registration recommended.

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

It's all fun and games at the campfire.

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+).

Join a Westmoreland interpretive ranger and your fellow campers as you enjoy a relaxing evening next to our fire.

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

Fire has been a part of human history since cavemen roamed Earth, with many different uses. Learn how to build a campfire using different methods or enjoy a game of trivia by the glow of the fire.

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

Welcome to Staunton River State Park.

What do you hear in the woods at night?

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

June is a beautiful month to get outdoors and enjoy some trails at Staunton River State Park.

Get ready to explore nature and discover various bird species in their natural habitat.

High Bridge Trail State Park is hosting an annual 5K run in celebration of National Trails Day.  The race follows an out-and-back course.

Have you ever heard a bird call and wanted to know what bird made that noise?

Chippokes State Park is proud to partner with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for Clean the Bay Day!

Spend the day in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, right here in Cumberland County.

We hope that you will take advantage of the trails today to enjoy celebrate all that the trails provide us -- fitness, health, and a sense of well-being.

Get ready to hit the trails and embark on an adventure like no other as we celebrate National Trails Day at Holliday Lake State Park!

Support and elevate the women of Afghanistan and Pakistan with a beautiful hike hosted by Ascend.

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!

Start the day off with a wonderful morning hike.  This gentle paced hike will take one of our favorite trails and be greeted with sounds of the forest and meadows along the way.    Meet our hike guide at the Trail Head near the  parking lot and the pollinator garden.   Be prepared for a variety of terrain.

Celebrate National Trails Day and give back to Mother Nature by helping to clean our park and keep it beautiful.

One excellent way to support Seven Bends State Park is through volunteering.

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

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

June 1st is National Clean the Bay Day!