We all love the great outdoors and enjoy nature. Sometimes we are in a hurry and miss out on all the little things nature has to offer. The James River and its lush landscapes have always been a source of life and inspiration. So, let's take that inspiration and have a “brush” with nature while we paint what we see and talk about what we are painting.

The Delta Aquarids meteor shower is an average meteor shower that can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak.

The Perseids meteor shower is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.

Kick off your week with us as we explore the natural world from the stars above to the depths below!

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

This three-hour class will cover the basics of paddling skills including how to select and fit a personal flotation device (PFD), different types of kayaks, planning and safety, reading the river, identifying river hazards, and proper paddling strokes.

Come see what Mason Neck State Park has to offer on International Adaptive Activity Day.  Discover the beauty of inclusive outdoor adventures at our special event celebrating International Adaptive Activity Day!

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.

What better way to enjoy the many sights and sounds of the park than by kayak?

After the iron industry moved away from the area, residents of Fayerdale went from mining to 'shining.

Start your day with birdsong and discovery by joining a park ranger for a bird-watching walk.

Come drop some line in the water, and soak in some sun!

Get down and dirty with this two-hour wild cave tour.

Color your world while developing your creative skills through watercolor painting at this weekly outdoor program led by a recognized local artist.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Kick off your week with us as we explore the natural world from the stars above to the depths below!

Visit a ranger at Massie Gap to learn about different creatures that live within the park.

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

On this hike, stimulate your senses as we immerse ourselves in nature.

What does it take to be at the top of the food chain?

What will we scoop up this time?

Toads, Turtles, and Snakes- Oh my!

Can you tell the difference between an elk and a deer?

Follow a ranger on a walk through agricultural history in this guided tour of the Farm and Forestry Museum.

Black bears are one of the many incredible mammals that dwell in Douthat State Park.

Do you enjoy coffee, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables?

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.

Come find us at the Splash Park as we get hands on with skulls and furs from Virginia’s native animals.

How can one trail have so much to offer? Hike with a park ranger down Crostic Forest Trail to discover something new each week.

Explore the Chesapeake Bay through the animals that live in it!

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.

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

Create a recycled flowerpot out of newspaper that you can place right in the ground with native flower seeds.

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

Did you know owls get 'hairballs?' About once a day, an owl spits up a ball of hair and bones called an owl pellet which is actually the 'leftovers' from their most recent meals.

Are all snakes venomous?

Watch one of our rangers work with a donated Bison skin, using ancient tanning methods to turn it into a functional pelt for our museum exhibits.

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

Follow a ranger on a walk through agricultural history in this guided tour of the Farm and Forestry Museum.

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

The Bay can hold many secrets.

Paint pretty pictures with prickly pines (try saying that five times fast).

Can you catch the biggest fish?  Discover native fish species in the Shenandoah River and responsible fishing practices by catching some “fish” that represent the different species!

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

Join us for "Turtle Time" at Holliday Lake State Park and meet our beloved turtle, Harrold Holliday!

"Echoes of the Past: Guardians of History" is a park ranger-led program dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of history.

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

Pan for gold in the James River while learning about Virginia’s unique geology, the rocks and minerals of the park, and the magnetic sand on the banks of the river.  Participants must be ages 10 and over.

Challenge yourself to identify animals not by what they look like, but by what their tracks look like.

Let nature spark your creativity!

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

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Think you can stump a ranger?

Do you know what's in the woods?

Let us keep the kids entertained while the adults set up or take a break from setting up and stop by for a quick craft; discussion of Belle Isle's history; or a lesson on critters.

Holliday Lake State Park is buzzing with life this time of year.

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

Step into the heart of Douthat State Park on this guided hike, where you'll uncover the wonders of nature, from the tiniest details to the grandest views.

Can not seem to get your campfire lit?

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

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

In Virginia, a lot of pre-contact Indigenous history was obscured by colonization.

Enjoy a magnificent sunset on the tranquil Potomac River and listen for nocturnal creatures. We'll meet inside the visitor center to gear up before riding to the beach for an evening paddle.

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

Come join the party!

Come chow down at the campfire and share some s’mores as we settle into the weekend and leave our marks on a fiery take-home souvenir!

Where's the best place to fish at the park?

Join our rangers for a bit of fun around the campfire as we welcome you to the park.

Join us at the amphitheater for a warm welcome to the park, camping tips, and fun activities!

Watch the last traces of daylight strike the Blue Ridge Mountains on this haywagon ride.

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

Join your fellow campers to hear about all of the different trails and activities the park has to offer and discover the history of the park. This is a great chance to ask questions about the park, local activities in the area, and future events at Fairy Stone State Park.

Welcome to the park, kick off your stay with an unforgettable evening by the fire at the water's edge.

Join us at the Community Fire Ring to relax, enjoy a roasted marshmallow, and get to know your camping neighbors.

Come for the s’mores, stay for the fun!

Our park is known for its biodiversity and is home to many species of birds.

Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater Peninsula.

Join us for a rewarding morning of gardening alongside fellow plant enthusiasts.

Come experience the beautiful James River on this guided kayak tour with DCR's Bay Experience team!

Kayak season is here!

Join us for a special guided tour uncovering the untold histories of High Bridge Trail State Park, conducted aboard a stretch golf cart.

Kayak season is here!

This trail begins on Iron Mine Trail and features an iron mine used by Fayerdale residents and an overlook of Fairy Stone Lake before transitioning into the Upper and Lower Stuart's Knob Trails.

Come along on a one-mile hike through our trails with a knowledgeable ranger to learn about the plants and animals who live in Kiptopeke State Park. .

The Friends of York River State Park will be giving the park facilities a nice face lift!

Seine fishing is an ancient practice that utilizes a net to surround and catch fish.

Spend time paddling down the Clinch River.

Curious about what flowers you see blooming in Sky Meadows' fields during the summer heat?

Join us on the first Saturday of the month to experience the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of history at Sky Meadows.

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

Join certified Forest Therapy volunteer, Tina Hayes, for a relaxing program made to calm the mind.

From May to August, the Overton-Hillsman House will be open to the public on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The historic home was a witness to war, a battlefield hospital, and the birthplace of one of the nation’s foremost Black educators.

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

Get a bird's eye view of some of nature's most fascinating and elusive predators in this one-hour program featuring live birds of prey.

Take a closer look at your surroundings in our monthly nature journaling classes.

Owls, bats, and bugs, oh my!

The York River was home to four manned lighthouses: Bells Rock, Pages Rock, Tue Marshes, and York Spit.  Bells Rock was the uppermost, just two miles below West Point.  Pages Rock was the only other light above the Coleman (Rt.

Are you looking to get better acquainted with the outdoors?

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

Ahoy Matey!