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!

Children can experience Virginia’s frontier like never before.

Let us teach you all the basics you'll need to know to get yourself started with one of our most popular outdoor activities, from tying on your hook and tackle to casting your line.

Explore the history of the Occoneechee Plantation on this guided hike around the Plantation Trail.

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

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

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Mussels play a huge part in our watershed.

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

Calling all homeschoolers and curious kiddos of all kinds!

Get hooked on fishing!  Try to catch different species of fish in the Shenandoah River! We'll learn about native fish and the importance of preserving the river. This is a great program for families with children and people looking to catch fish for the first time.

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

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

Want to learn how to go geocaching? Join one of our rangers on a guided program on how to start your geocache adventure. Geocaching is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure.

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.

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.

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.

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 is your chance to learn the sport of archery under the watchful eye of a certified instructor.

Join a ranger at Estonoa wetlands for a fun arts and crafts activity.

Explore how birds, bats, bees, and other pollinators aid in the life cycle of plants and flowers with a fun game inspired by green light, red light.  Parks are for everyone.

Forest Trails are not just for bikers.

You are invited to participate in a guided hike with an interpretive ranger to learn about the medicinal plants of central Virginia.

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

You can learn a lot about the health of a stream by seeing what lives beneath its surface.

My birdseed brings all the birds to the yard, and I'm like its better than yours.

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

Learn all about birds and their homes.

Trees are life-givers and inspiration for many art forms.

Did you know that little river creatures can indicate water quality?

Fly on over and learn how to make a bird feeder from natural materials which you can keep.

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

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

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

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

Dive into the history of the Occaneechi Tribe that once called Occoneechee State Park home.

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.

Is the Chesapeake Bay healthy?

Without pollinators, people and all of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.

Join us for an opportunity to get "a-head" on wildlife knowledge and learn to identify skulls based upon their characteristics.

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 a person.  Great for all ages! .

This program is all about learning how to identify wild animals by the tracks that they leave behind.

Is the critter this month small, medium, or large?

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

Join us to hear about the impacts of fire; from the habitats it touches to how humans have learned to use it to our advantage throughout the ages.

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

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.

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

Discover how fire affects our world and how we attempt to harness its power.

The blue crab is one of the most iconic species of the Chesapeake Bay.

It's all fun and games at the campfire.

End your week with a relaxing paddle along Swift Creek Lake.

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

Join us on the banks of the Staunton River as we commemorate the 160th Anniversary of the fighting at the bridge in June 1864.

Enjoy a beautiful full moon paddle on the lower Potomac River.

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

Can you pitch a tent?