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.

Children can experience Virginia’s frontier like never before.

Come learn about the life of hunters and what goes into protecting our ecosystems!

This week's theme for Junior Rangers is Weather.

Over 200 years ago, early adventurers like Daniel Boone walked these same hills and valleys we see today.

Time to go on a scavenger hunt in the campground.

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

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

Join the Rangers on a guided hike through our most popular trail!

Homeschool/ Tales and Scales: Mythical Creatures and Real-life Reptiles Part 2 Join us at Widewater State Park for an enchanting adventure where myths come alive!

The park is rich with historical sights, many of which are structures that were built when the park was opened.  We'll be taking a modest walk around the day use area of the park to observe the unique buildings and discuss how the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) used them while building the park.

Explore the mighty James River via canoe with your very own guide!

Enjoy a fun paddling adventure at Leesylvania State Park on Powell's Creek!  Watch majestic bald eagles and ospreys soar above, a heron hunting along the shore, and turtles basking in the  sunshine.

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?

What's under that rock?

Join the Rangers each week to create a new nature-themed craft.

The are many different wildlife that call Leesylvania State Park their home.

Join us as we open the doors to the old Norfolk and Western caboose 518517.

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

Want to learn how to play the outdoorsman’s version of BINGO?

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.

Did you know owls don't chew their food?

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.

Want to test your knowledge and learn about one of our most fascinating local animals?

Meet Natural Tunnel's wildlife ambassador, Popcorn the corn snake.

There's no work without play.

Are all snakes venomous?

First Landing’s swamp are truly special, largely due to a particular type of tree.

Explore the mighty James River via canoe with your very own guide!

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

Practice your detective skills by uncovering snakes hidden in images of their habitat, and discover how best to avoid those with venom.

Have we sparked your interest?

Hop on over and enjoy a short walk around Old Pond Trail as we look and listen for these amazing amphibians.

Join a park ranger for a gentle 0.5-mile journey that engages all your senses, inviting you to uncover the hidden wonders of the park.

Not all bees live in hives.

When it comes to carrying survival materials with you on the trail, every little bit of space counts, so hikers come up with creative ways to carry their gear.

Paddling a kayak gives you a new perspective of the world and lifetime of adventures.

Try your hand at net making and learn more about the Indigenous people that once used the park as seasonal fishing grounds.

Virginia is home to a healthy population of black bears; do you know what to do if you encounter one?

What's under that rock?

Do you want to discover how music making can interact with being outdoors?

The 250-acre Hoover Mountain Bike Area is located on a reclaimed 20th century mine site.

Embark on an exciting and interactive adventure designed to bring out your inner photographer and explorer!

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

Embrace your creativity by exploring unique connections to the natural and historic elements of the park through this dynamic art program.

Start your weekend off at the Twin Lakes Welcome Campfire program, where you'll be invited to take part in classic campfire games, hear about the weekend's activities, and familiarize yourself with the park and its rangers.

The Friends of Twin Lakes State Park is an all-volunteer non-profit that supports Twin Lakes State Park.

Ride with a ranger as we explore the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park on a beautiful summer evening.

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

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

Silent and spooky, the owl is a magnificent animal.

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

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