Help ensure years of great fishing at Claytor Lake by recycling your old holiday tree at the park.

Help ensure years of great fishing at Fairy Stone Lake by recycling your old holiday tree at the park.

The Quadrantids meteor shower is an above average meteor shower with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak.

After the iron industry moved away from the area, residents of Fayerdale went from mining to 'shining.

Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, which houses both the Nature Center and the Discovery Center, where you can grab a map and fill up on water, snacks, and souvenirs before you hit the trails.

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.

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.

Did you know that opossums roamed the earth with the dinosaurs and that raccoons have “hands” like ours? Wonder what other secrets these critters hold? Join us to discover little known facts about these amazing animals and how they benefit humans.

Explore an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night!

Have you ever seen or heard an actual owl call in the night?

January is Cavalry Month at Sailor's Creek.

This weekend only, step inside the Visitor Center for a vivid look into the lives of Civil War cavalrymen through their own words.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners from decades gone by.

Create a hand-made, nature-inspired souvenir to take home.

Enjoy a winter birding adventure to discover duck species and habitats.  In less than a mile we will look for waterfowl from a shallow pond, tidal creek, and the river.  Bald eagles are also frequently found in the area.

Come join our Rangers on a guided hike through Long Pond Trail.

Join a ranger for a guided hike to look for winter birds.

Tundra Swans are known for their striking white plumage and long, graceful necks, making them a favorite among birdwatchers.

Join us for a guided Winter Discovery Hike along the Buck Lick Trail and experience the quiet beauty of the forest in its cold-weather stillness.

How many animal inhabitants of First Landing State Park can you identify?

Visit the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) museum to learn more about the CCC, the original six Virginia State Parks, and the creation of Pocahontas State Park.

Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, which houses both the Nature Center and the Discovery Center, where you can grab a map and fill up on water, snacks, and souvenirs before you hit the trails.

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

Discover the art of journaling in the wild with a ranger.

Get a head start on National Bird Day by joining park staff for a relaxed, family-friendly birding walk.  You’ll learn how to spot common forest birds, listen for songs and calls, and use simple tips and tools to identify what we see and hear along the trail.

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.

Join a Ranger for the inaugural hike of our Winter Hiking Series at Grayson Highlands State Park.

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.

Let's walk back in time through the exhibits here at Occoneechee State Park and learn about the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation.

Come get an in-depth look at the only star in our solar system, the Sun!

Westmoreland State Park is a special place known for the rare and common fossils, including the most desirable and sought after - shark teeth you can find along our shoreline.

Ever wondered what a skunk’s fur feels like or how big a bobcat’s skull really is?

Come celebrate national bird day with this fun Birding Bingo.

Did you know that coyotes are not naturally native to Virginia?

Have you ever wondered how snakes can swallow something as big as their own heads?

Join a ranger for a guided hike along one of the fingers of Fairy Stone Lake that leads to an abandoned iron mine.

Can you maintain ecosystem equilibrium?

Our animal ambassadors Hisstopher and Harrold want to meet you!

Through trail, stone, and timber, the CCC carved a legacy that still shapes Douthat today.

“The Moon and stars are not above us; they are within us." --John Muir Come join our rangers on an evening hike through the Holly Marsh Trail to view the Full Moon rising above the Potomac River!

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

In honor of the Full Wolf Moon on January 3rd, we are holding a celebration 5:30-6:30 p.m. to watch it rise over the eastern treeline across Holliday Lake.

Come out for a howl at the Full Wolf Moon!

This trail begins on Iron Mine Trail and features an iron mine once used by Fayerdale residents, as well as an overlook of Fairy Stone Lake.

January is Cavalry Month at Sailor's Creek.

This weekend only, step inside the Visitor Center for a vivid look into the lives of Civil War cavalrymen through their own words.

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

Every January, during National Hobby Month, folks all over the United States try new hobbies and celebrate their old ones, and Pocahontas State Park is the perfect place to do both.

Visit the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) museum to learn more about the CCC, the original six Virginia State Parks, and the creation of Pocahontas State Park.

Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, which houses both the Nature Center and the Discovery Center, where you can grab a map and fill up on water, snacks, and souvenirs before you hit the trails.

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

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

Join us for a lesson in the unique adaptations that make animals well suited for surviving the colder winter months.

During the winter, deciduous trees make it difficult to tell them apart due to the lack of leaves.

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” - John Muir Join our rangers on a guided hike and learn about our native species, park history, and wetland habitat.

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

Discover the timeless art of pine needle basket weaving and unlock your creativity with this hands-on workshop.

Trees have magical qualities that provide us with many important everyday items, as well as a large portion of the oxygen we breathe.

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.

"Not all who wander are lost." - J.R.R.

"Not all who wander are lost." - J.R.R.

"As long as a live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing." -- John Muir Widewater State Park is pleased to offer Bird Walks from November 2025 thru March 2026!  Join an experienced birder on an exploration of our incredibly diverse park throughout the cooler months.

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

Meet with a ranger and go on a guided hike along the Lakeshore Trail (0.81mi.).

Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, which houses both the Nature Center and the Discovery Center, where you can grab a map and fill up on water, snacks, and souvenirs before you hit the trails.

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.

Did you know Raccoons can remember solutions to tasks and have “hands” like ours?

Discover the “bear facts” about Fairy Stone State Park’s black bears at our ranger-led program. Learn about their characteristics, habits, how to avoid conflicts, and much more.

Have you ever seen or heard an actual owl call in the night?

Gather around the weapons display in the Visitor Center for an in depth look at the carbines carried by Union cavalry.

January is Cavalry Month at Sailor's Creek.

Event Registration is full!

This program will train guests to focus on the present moment, observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, and enhance their awareness of the mind-body connection.

Come meet and greet Ranger Myrtle (our Red-Eared Slider turtle), Ranger Scout (our Western Hognose snake), and Ranger Brutus (our Copperhead snake) to discover what makes these rangers so special to Twin Lakes State Park.  Parks are for everyone.

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.

There are many stories to tell about Sweet Run State Park.

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” - John Muir Join our rangers on a guided hike and learn about our native species, park history, and wetland habitat.

Celebrate National Save the Eagle Day at Caledon, where the bald eagle soars wild and free over the Potomac River.

Join the rangers to give back a bit of your time and help maintain the beauty of York River.

Join us for a guided Winter Discovery Hike along the Buck Lick Trail and experience the quiet beauty of the forest in its cold-weather stillness.

Join a ranger for a guided hike to look for winter birds.

Visit the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) museum to learn more about the CCC, the original six Virginia State Parks, and the creation of Pocahontas State Park.

Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, which houses both the Nature Center and the Discovery Center, where you can grab a map and fill up on water, snacks, and souvenirs before you hit the trails.

Stop by the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center and learn more about the people who lived on the Wilderness Road frontier.

Who was Elizabeth Hartwell?

Have you ever wondered how flora and fauna survive in a winter wonderland?

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

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

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.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners from decades gone by.

Join us for a guided winter hike to discover the hidden homes of park wildlife.

Come join us at the Mossey Creek Trailhead (near the Splash Park) as we embark on a Ranger led Hike though the Mossey Creek Nature Trail and the Old Plantation Interpretive trail.

Take a walk among the forest's still and silent giants: trees!

Did you know that Westmoreland is one of six original State Parks in Virginia?

Mark your calendar: January 10th is National Save the Eagles Day!

Ever wondered what a skunk’s fur feels like or how big a bobcat’s skull really is?

Come get an in-depth look at the only star in our solar system, the Sun!

First Landing is home to many creatures both large and small.

Keep an eye out near the Visitor Center for a ranger carrying a fascinating historical or natural item from the park.

Bring your canine companion and join the B.A.R.K.