'Bigfoot' is on the roam in Occoneechee.

True Art, named in the honor of the Museum's first curator, James True, features the works of today's local artist in a show that celebrates the creativity and talents of our friends and neighbors.

Winter Trams at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offer the unique opportunity to observe and experience the incredible migration of waterfowl.

Explore the natural and historic world of Twin Lakes State Park with a ranger. This program is part of a homeschool series, but all curious kids are welcome.

Explore the natural and historic world of Twin Lakes State Park with a ranger. This program is part of a homeschool series, but all curious kids are welcome.

Join rangers as we take a closer look at worms and dig into the benefits of worms in our environment.

This series of homeschool programs for students aged 8-12 will meet at the Visitor Center at Lake Anna State Park from 10am - 1pm on multiple dates.

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

Come join our volunteer interpreter and herpetologist, Ana Sparks, to discover the secret world of vernal pools!

The Senior Ranger series is geared towards senior citizens who are interested in learning more about nature.

Springtime is here!

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is excited to announce the Spring semester of the WiseJAMS Music Program.

This is a fantastic time of year to take-in the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflowers of Southwest Virginia.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to cook in the outdoors with no electricity? Join the Friends of Twin Lakes State Park members where they will be showing off their outdoor cooking skills, featuring pie iron, dutch oven, and paper bag cooking.

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

Looking for something fun and educational to do while you're at the park?

Come on out to Chippokes State Park and discover what is left of a forgotten historic roadway on this ranger-led hike. Learn about historic transportation routes, the area's first inhabitants, speculation and myths of the road, and natural history.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

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'.

Seven Bends State Park will be hosting a work day to assemble the park’s new mosaic display.

Meet Gertie and Birdie, our Educational Ambassadors, and interact with our knowledgeable rangers while they care for these beloved critters.

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect 'fairy stone' that everyone is looking for.

Do you know what's in the woods?

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

Tomorrow is World Water Day!

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

Who, who, who is that? Venture into the night with an interpretive ranger to discover how owls are uniquely designed for nocturnal living and learn about all of their unique adaptations.

Grab your binoculars and get outside.  Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy will lead these monthly hikes to discover and identify birds at Sweet Run State Park. We will explore parts of this beautiful 900-acre preserve to see what lives in it and visit its diverse habitats.

Join the Caledon Trail Race Series for the Pollinator Dash!

Would you like to have the chance to explore the trails in Powhatan State Park and meet new people?

Help celebrate The International Day of Forests, which was established on the 21st day of March, by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2013.  Come along on a guided walk to imagine life as a tree. Is it time to draw on your reserves of sugars and starches and begin to bud?

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

Come and join us for our monthly Trail Workday on March 22nd.

Discover the wonders of Phenology, the study of the seasonal and cyclical changes in nature, and create your own work of art.

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.

Pottery is one of the oldest forms of decorative but functional art forms and is found in cultures across the world.

Embark on a journey into the enchanting world of vernal pools.

Join a park ranger on a hike to the waterfall and back.

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

Join our costumed interpreters for a demonstration of historic cooking methods in the Jones-Stewart Mansion's original brick kitchen.

As you walk through the sandy trails at 64th street, stop by the Ranger table at the Narrows Beach to learn about what Virginia wildlife is most active over winter.

Where do toads live, are they beneficial to us, and can they give us warts?

Welcome Spring!

It's feeding time for our ambassador reptiles.  How do we feed our animals?

Come search for salamanders as they quest for vernal pools!

Have you ever wanted to try camping, but didn't because it all seems so confusing and expensive?

Meet a Ranger at the Visitor Center for a guided hike to see if you can spot any of our springtime birds.

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

Come celebrate the return of spring with a scenic hike through Mason Neck!

Celebrate the arrival of spring at Douthat State Park with a fun, hands-on nature craft.

Join us at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., for an engaging program exploring the pivotal events of the Appomattox Campaign, the final campaign in the eastern theater of the Civil War.

Join us at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., for an engaging program exploring the pivotal events of the Appomattox Campaign, the final campaign in the eastern theater of the Civil War.

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'.

The Jones-Stewart Mansion is a stunning example of an antebellum plantation house.

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.

Have you ever wanted to try camping, but didn't because it all seems so confusing and expensive?

Soon, the arrival of spring will be upon us.

Join Master Naturalist Kim Manion for a short walk to discover the basics of tree identification.

Explore the park's expansive wetlands with us as we search for and identify the plants and animals that call this unique habitat their home.

Join our costumed interpreters for a demonstration of historic cooking methods in the Jones-Stewart Mansion's original brick kitchen.

Spring is here and some of the critters you see around Belle Isle change with the seasons.

 Deep in the forest lies the perfect amphibian retreat - vernal pools.  These special pools fill up each winter to provide a safe habitat for salamanders, fingernail clams, fairy shrimp, and more!

Come explore the historic town of Fries.

Come explore the historic town of Fries.

Slither on down and join the Park Ranger for an in depth look into the fascinating lives of some local reptiles.

Nature journaling is the intersection of art, science, and curiosity.

Are there actually beavers in Beaver Lake?

Plants are far more than just part of park's scenery, many plants have a wide variety of uses for humans.

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect 'fairy stone' that everyone is looking for.

Step back in time as we uncover the mysteries of those at rest in the park's historic cemetery.

Some of Virginia's coolest mammals are rarely seen by humans.

How much do you know about Douthat State Park's past?

We would like to introduce you to “Boxer” the box turtle.

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.

Join a ranger to see what critters live amongst the oysters and learn how these important bi-valves help clean the waters in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Oysters not only filter water, but create habitat and provide food for both humans and other animals.

Experience the sights and sounds of the park at sunset with a leisurely guided hike, starting from the main parking lot.

Winter Trams at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offer the unique opportunity to observe and experience the incredible migration of waterfowl.

Read a tale as you walk the trail. Begin at the CCC Museum to begin your exploration and story time at your own pace.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Grab your journal and come on down to the park and try your hand at a new skill - Nature Journaling!

Come celebrate the return of spring with a scenic hike through Mason Neck!

Chippokes State Park welcomes visitors to accompany an interpretive guide on a very unique historical building tour experience to explore the oldest dwelling on the grounds.

Join a ranger for a leisurely look at clouds while you kick back, relax, and allow yourself to not be busy.

Learn about the culinary history of Chippokes as costumed interpreters share stories from the Jones-Stewart Mansion's brick kitchen.

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'.

Join us as we explore the various flora of one of the most biodiverse places on the planet!

Interested in learning more about archery while having fun?

Join us for "Tree Topia" as we uncover the magical realm of trees and their incredible role as habitats!

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

Do you love painting or creating artwork in the great outdoors?

 Deep in the forest lies the perfect amphibian retreat - vernal pools.  These special pools fill up each winter to provide a safe habitat for salamanders, fingernail clams, fairy shrimp, and more!

Enjoy a ranger-led hike learning all about what's blooming and growing around you.

Ready, set, crawl, to join General Raphael, our non-releasable rescue eastern box turtle, as we explore more about her and the animal friends she shares her habitat with.

Did you know there was once a thriving Boom Town located where our lake is today?

Our Winter Lecture Series is back for its twentieth year!

Join us at Widewater State Park for a slithery, fun-filled adventure with “Snakes Alive!” Meet our friendly, live, non-venomous snake ambassadors and learn fascinating facts from a volunteer and herpetologist, Ana Sparks, specializing in snake behavior.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

The Spring 2025 installment of the Staunton River Star Party will be sponsored by CHAOS (Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society) and hosted at Staunton River State Park.

Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?

Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?