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!

Biking is a wonderful activity to do here in the park.

Smith Mountain Lake is the perfect location for fishing.

Discover the secrets of the park through geocaching.

Join us on a real or virtual hike through Claytor Lake State Park as we take a closer look at some of the beautiful native trees.

Did you know that Haven Howe was an early advocate for environmental reform in Virginia? Participate in person or virtually as we examine the fine craftsmanship of the Howe House and learn of its builder, inhabitants, and history.

Stop by the fishing area behind Howe House to check out our EnChroma color blind scenic viewer.

Contribute to citizen science by helping us create a time lapse of this mysterious site.

Go on a hiking adventure with Track Trails!

Take a hike back in time by visiting our tour points located at the same location as our collection of photos and videos from past years at Claytor Lake State Park and Claytor Lake.

Groups or individuals can adopt a section of a trail or a trail within our 7-mile park trail system.

Request a ranger to give your family or group a chance to get a more personalized experience at Claytor Lake State Park.

Nothing beats a ranger-led program in one of our parks.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschool instructor, club sponsor, or anything in between, Douthat State Park is a great place to bring your group for a day of hands-on, outdoor learning.

Be you a teacher, camp counselor, homeschool instructor, or troop leader, you are invited to schedule your group's next field trip or educational program with Widewater State Park!

At one time, the New River marked the westernmost edge of the backcountry frontier.

Stop by Hungry Mother's Discovery Center and ask the front desk rangers about our Park Packs.

The park has over 12 miles of beautiful hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to moderate.

Are you looking for a great activity for the kids that is both fun and educational?