Interested in the giants around you?

Experience life in the early 19th century with live music, blacksmiths, cooking, period camp, boats, and much more. This event will focus on two important parts of history from this area that had a profound influence on transportation and music in America: “batteaux and banjos.” See what it was like to live in the middle of the 19th century.

Who wants to be a junior ranger?  Join us for our junior ranger camp for ages 10-14 from Monday, June 17 - Thursday, June 20.

Immerse yourself in nature and experience the calming and health-promoting benefits of the forest.

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

What some people call creepy crawlies are actually some of the most interesting and beneficial animals in our area.

Find out what lurks below the surface of the swamp in the fun dip-netting adventure!

Perched upon a small hill overlooking the old Norfolk & Western railway station sits the old Foster Falls Hotel.

While most of the adventure on the New River takes place above the water, there is no shortage of things to see below the water!

Come be a scientist for the day with our park rangers!

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.

Find out what it takes to be an avid birder!

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.

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

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.

Want to go on a scavenger hunt in the wilderness?

Do you love art and nature?

You walk around trees all the time, but have you ever taken a chance to get to know what you're walking past?

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

Perched upon a small hill overlooking the old Norfolk & Western railway station sits the old Foster Falls Hotel.

Take a half of a hike with a park ranger.

Animals have some amazing feats and hold some amazing records.

Stop by this Chesapeake Bay display on your way to the beach to hear a short talk about one of the nation’s most valuable waterways.

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.

Evening is the perfect time to search for salamanders.

Children can experience Virginia’s frontier like never before.

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

Interested in the history of Westmoreland State Park?  Join a ranger to learn about the creation of Westmoreland State Park, and the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

Have you ever bumped into one of our tall bark-covered residents and wondered who it is you've just run into?

Want to experience the New River Trail State Park in a way few people get a chance to?

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

We need your help.

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

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!

Bring your creativity and express your individuality and join Leesylvania State Park Rangers throughout the park for a unique crafting experience!  Each session is a one of a kind experience.  See you there!

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

A face only a mother could love?

Join the Rangers each week to learn a new skill to help you survive in the wild.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to identify some of Virginia’s native trees? It can take some time to develop this skill, but we have a park Interpreter who is willing to help you get started. We will go on a short hike on the River Bank Trail, and along the way will stop at some of the more well-known trees in Virginia.

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.

Sea glass is a beautiful sight when you walk along the beach, adding a splash of color.

Are all snakes venomous?

 How can we be more sustainable when practicing our favorite hobbies?

Leesylvania State Park is home to many different turtles!

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

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

Get your feet wet investigating the vast array of life in a stream. Catch crawdads, salamanders, frogs and such.

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

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

If you love nature and the outdoors, come check out the Friends of Powhatan State Park monthly meetings and gather with like-minded people who are passionate about supporting Virginia State Parks through volunteerism and legislation.

Take a float as day turns into twilight, and the creatures of the night arise.

Allow the evening to envelop you and enjoy a hay wagon ride with our park guide.

Ever wonder what goes on at night in a park?

We're turning 25!  On June 19, 1999, Raymond "Andy" Guest Jr. State Park, also known as Shenandoah River, opened its doors to the public.

Follow the path taken by old miners of days gone by.

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

Children can experience Virginia’s frontier like never before.

Yes, you too can canoe! Canoes are stable and easy to control, despite what you might have heard.

Join a ranger and learn about the natural history of Westmoreland State Park and about the particular fossils you can find here.

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

Sometimes the best way to make new discoveries in nature is to play a game. I spy something round on the ground. I spy something blue up high. Can you guess what “I Spy” as we hike the River Bank Trail?  Come find out and play along.

Spend time floating five and a half miles down the Clinch River.

Explore some of the coolest little critters that fly in our amazing world of the night sky above. Join an interpreter on Wednesdays this summer to learn about bats and what they mean for our ecosystem.

This nature walk and talk is about the textures and aromas of three native forest species and their role in developing special relationships between plants and humans.

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

Come across our Ranger outposts stationed at a lesser-known part of First Landing State Park: the Narrows Beach!

Homeschool/ Tales and Scales: Mythical Creatures and Real-life Reptiles Part 1 Join us at Widewater State Park for an enchanting adventure where myths come alive!

Fishing can be as easy as tying your shoes.

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 been walking along a trail and come across a pile of "Meatballs"?

Join a Virginia Master Naturalist and enjoy a one hour stroll on easy terrain looking for wildlife and plant life.

Walk through history by touring historic Mount Bleak House.

Can you recall taking a break on a hot summer day and sitting under the shade of a maple tree, or swinging on a tire swing hung from a giant oak? Trees provide many benefits including food, shelter, and oxygen, to both humans and wildlife.

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

Watch and learn about our ambassador animals, Reba the Corn Snake or Stevie the King Snake, as they feed on a frozen mouse! .

Every animal has unique features and traits that make them special and suited for their natural environment.

We can't celebrate a birthday without cake!  Join us at the visitor center as we cut our birthday cake!

Come on out to the park and test your paddling skills.

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

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

It's time for Mother Nature's most creative weavers to crawl out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

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

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

We can tell a great deal about an animal’s adaptations by looking at their skins and skulls.

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.

Gather at Cullers Overlook to gaze across the river valley as we learn of the winding river and surrounding mountains.

Get ready to catch gold fever and mosey on over to join our interpretive rangers on a quest for this elusive mineral.

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

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

What does a mushroom sit on...a toadstool!

Do you want to be a part of history?  Join us as we celebrate our 25th anniversary by burying a time capsule!

Enjoy a relaxing paddle on the Potomac River! This paddle tour is designed to show you the ecosystem, wildlife, and views from the river as we look back to the shoreline of Westmoreland State Park.  This paddle provides excellent views and wildlife sighting opportunities to include, the Horsehead Cliffs (from a safe distance),stratigraphy of the Cliffs, erosion and water as a true natural force, a brief fossil hunting on fossil beach, and significant bird watching opportunities to include special and unscheduled appearances by Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Blue Herons, and more!  Please sign up and pay in advance for this program at the Visitor Center. Guests should meet at the day-use beach and boathouse area. All equipment is provided however participants should wear closed-toed shoes. All children participating should be over 35lbs. Participants should wear a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and bring water and snacks with them.  This paddle begins at the scheduled time and can run for roughly 2 hours. This program is limited to 10 spots.

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

Join our Park Rangers for a unique experience of Aquia Creek as the cloak of twilight descends.

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.

Gather at Cullers Overlook to gaze across the river valley as we learn of the winding river and surrounding mountains.

Come take a walk with us under a starry sky to search for some of the park's most elusive night-time predators: owls!  As we walk along under the quiet cover of darkness, we'll listen for their haunting voices as they cry out across the landscape.

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