The Leonids meteor shower is an average meteor shower producing up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is pleased to present the 30th Annual Festival of Trees.

During the Festival of Trees, the Friends of Natural Bridge State Park asks local organizations to decorate a holiday tree to represent themselves in the community.

Not in the mood for a turkey trot this season?

Want to work up an appetite for the big turkey day feast, while helping a worthy cause?

Did you know that coyotes are not naturally native to Virginia?

Virginia State Parks license plate holders park for free on some of our national event days.

Need a break from holiday shopping?

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

Not in the mood for a turkey trot this season?

The holidays can be stressful; come to Mason Neck and unwind.

Start a new tradition the Friday after Thanksgiving and #OptOutside at False Cape State Park.

Explore the trails of Sweet Run and discover the animals that have traveled the same trails.

This Thanksgiving weekend, trade shopping bags for backpacks and join us for a reflective guided hike at Douthat State Park in celebration of Opt Outside Day.

From the small eastern screech owl to the great horned owl, eight species of owls call Virginia home part or all of the year.   Get a glimpse into the mysterious world of our elusive nocturnal raptors.

Why go shopping while nature is popping?

"For man, Autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together; for nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad." -- Edwin Way Teale, naturalist From its' agricultural cultivation in Mexico 9,000 years ago by the indigenous peoples, to it's global spread in the 1500s, and now it's daily use as food, fuel, and fodder, corn (or maize) holds a prominent seat at the table each season.

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 our annual after thanksgiving hike!

Northern Virginia is rich in history, and Mason Neck is no exception.

Work off that extra serving of mashed potatoes by giving back to the park!

Work off that extra serving of mashed potatoes by giving back to the park!

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

Join our rangers in exploring the wildlife along our central trails.

Did you know that coyotes are not naturally native to Virginia?

Join a ranger for a guided hike along one of the fingers of Fairy Stone Lake that leads to an abandoned iron mine.

Hit the trail with one of our rangers to see which birds of Fairy Stone State Park are hiding in plain sight along Oak Hickory Trail.

Past and present, friends and families have enjoyed getting together for some friendly competition.

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

Join us for a magical and entertaining view of one of our most treasured holidays at the Karlan Mansion.

A beloved holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees celebrates its 30th year.

To kick off this year's Christmas Lighting event the park will provide this one-day special offer to help those in need in our community.

Join us for ranger-led campfire with S'mores!

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

Come join the party!

Take advantage of our remote location far from city lights to see brilliant night skies over the lake.

Autumn is in the air!

Become a steward of nature while building your local community and connecting with the people near you that share a passion for the outdoors. Meet with rangers at the Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center for a short talk about conservation and to get supplies to clean up the trash that washes onto the shoreline or is left and scattered along the trails and recreational areas. Clean-Up days are self-paced, so come clean our shoreline for as much time as you can spare to make a difference at the park.

Come join us for Fairy Stone State Park's 4th Annual Holiday Market during small business Saturday.

Come discover the world of self-publishing!

Each month, volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to work together on a project that helps improve and maintain our beautiful park.

Take a walk among the forest's still and silent giants: trees!

As the seasons shift and the landscape quiets, November offers a perfect time to slow down and notice the subtle beauty of nature.

Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.  We will hike to a small woodland and marsh stream, freshwater pond, and brackish/saltwater river.  With nets, we will capture and identify different crustaceans, fish, and take note of plant life. .

Celebrate the holiday season at Chippokes!  This special event allows for you to try your hand at wreath making, using all-natural materials and greenery collected from Chippokes State Park.

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

What better way to start the day than with a hot cup of coffee.

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

Have you ever wondered what kind of tree you're walking past on a hike?

Have you ever wanted to identify the different birds in your yard or even start bird watching as a hobby?  If so, this program is for you.  We'll go over the basics of finding and identifying birds, the basic equipment you might need, as well as some tips to help you make the most of your birding adventures!

Become an owl pellet detective as we dissect the clues an owl leaves behind.

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the remarkable abilities of bats and the importance of preserving their habitats.

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

Does your pup have what it takes to be a B.A.R.K Ranger? B.A.R.K.

Our animal ambassadors Hisstopher and Harrold want to meet you!

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.

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

The big blue can hold many secrets and sometimes those secrets wash ashore! Join a Park Ranger as we wander the beach identifying shells, animals, and other treasures commonly found along the beach at False Cape. Expect to walk 2 miles round trip, partly over soft sand.

Take in the crisp air and the brilliant colors of autumn as we stroll along Douthat’s scenic lakefront.

Enjoy the beauty of York River State Park, while having the opportunity to take pictures along the way.

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

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

Let's take a hike on the Mulberry Creek Boardwalk Trail and beyond!

Step into the shoes of a 19th-century farmer and help care for our heritage breed chickens and goats!

Join a ranger for a guided hike on Sugar Hill, all while talking about the importance of hibernation and why it is necessary for certain types of animals!

Join a park ranger for this competitive adventure on the one-mile loop Goodwin Lake Trail.

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

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

Slither on over to the Visitors Center for an in-depth look into the fascinating lives of local reptiles.

Discover the art of crafting your own paracord bracelet while learning how this versatile tool can prepare you for the unexpected.

What bird lives most of its life on the ground, can fly as fast as a car, and was almost our national bird?

The bounty of harvested crops will soon be replaced with the joy and beauty of Winter.

Join us for a peaceful evening walk along the shores of Douthat Lake as the sun dips behind the mountains, casting golden light across the water and fall foliage.

Join us for a magical and entertaining view of one of our most treasured holidays at the Karlan Mansion.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is pleased to present “The Festival of Trees: An Evening Aglow” on November 29 and December 20 from 5-8 p.m. For these two evenings only, visitors will be offered an opportunity to view the museum in a different light.

A beloved holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees celebrates its 30th year.

Create, connect, and celebrate the season!

 As you ride down on the chairlift and make your way to the tunnel, you will be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and see animated Christmas displays.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will host its special holiday Coffee House on Saturday, Nov.

Explore First Landing on your own and stop by the Trail Center to pick up your nature journal booklet.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners from decades gone by.

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

The Tundra Swans are coming, the Tundra Swans are coming.

Join our rangers in exploring the wildlife along our central trails.

Fly fishing is a fun and relaxing hobby that immerses you in nature.  With a little guidance, you can learn how to cast a fly rod and start experiencing nature in a whole new way!

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

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.

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.

Just because we don’t always spot them, we know the animals are around by the tracks and traces they leave behind.

Tundra Swans are known for their striking white plumage and long, graceful necks, making them a favorite among birdwatchers.

Join us for a magical and entertaining view of one of our most treasured holidays at the Karlan Mansion.

Trees have magical qualities that provide us with many important everyday items, as well as a large portion of the oxygen we breathe.

Discover the “bear facts” about Fairy Stone State Park’s black bears at our ranger-led program. Learn about their characteristics, habits, how to avoid conflicts, and much more.

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.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side with this monthly series of true nature walks!

A new discovery awaits your family with Sky Meadows' Discovery Backpacks.

The Visitor Center at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park offers a museum filled with treasured artifacts discovered over the years where the last major fight of the American Civil War in Virginia occurred on April 6, 1865.

Tours of the Hillsman House, a National Historic Landmark, are available to the public by request.

A Self-Guided Driving Tour of Sailor's Creek Battlefield is available to visitors year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield offers six, self-guided Hiking Trails with historic markers for the public to explore year round during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).