The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is now accepting entries for the “Stitch in Time” Quilt Show.

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is an above average meteor shower with about 30 meteors per hour at its peak in the Northern Hemisphere.

Meet at the Big Water Visitor Center and help our resident box turtle have some fun in the sun.

Designed to introduce young participants to the wonders of the natural world and foster an appreciation for the environment.

Migrate to the Discovery Center to learn about the fascinating "Fish Hawk".

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

Where do toads live?

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

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

When a tree falls in the forest, what happens next?

Whether you're fascinated or a little rattled, snakes are a vital part of healthy ecosystems, and they’re not as scary as they seem.

Get creative and be inspired by the beautiful scenery of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Come out of your shell and spend some time getting to know the Eastern Box Turtle.

Hop on over for a hands-on adventure into the world of frogs. Join park staff as we search for some of Virginia’s native frog species and their tadpoles.

Join us for a sunset/moonlight bike ride on High Bridge Trail.

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

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

Using our senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing, we can come to appreciate unique qualities of plants and trees that have made them partners in our survival.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Stop by and investigate the variety of flora and fauna found around Smith Mountain Lake.

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

Calling all budding detectives.

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

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

Come meet and greet Ranger Myrtle (our Red-Eared Slider turtle), Ranger Scout (our Western Hognose snake), and Ranger Brutus (our Copperhead snake) to discover what makes these rangers so special to Twin Lakes State Park.  Parks are for everyone.

Ever wonder what the fish are doing when they dive deep under water?

Ever wondered what critters are crawling beneath the surface of a stream? Join us on a fun adventure as we search the stream for interesting, tiny critters: freshwater invertebrates.

Shine a light on days gone by with a lantern-lit history tour of the Natural Bridge.

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

Grow some good and lend a hand.

Meet at the Big Water Visitor Center and help our resident box turtle have some fun in the sun.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Robin Hood, Katniss Everdeen, Hawkeye, fictional archers with real world skills.

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

Have you ever wondered what makes an owl such a skilled night hunter?

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.

We can tell a great deal about an animal’s adaptations by looking at their skins and skulls.

Step into the shoes of an archaeologist and uncover the secrets of an owl’s diet!

This land-based, hook-free fishing game is a fun and safe way to learn how to cast, but even those who are fishing fanatics will enjoy trying to beat out the competition in this game of limited resources.

Come along on a hike through Kiptopeke's trails to learn about the nature in our park.

Stop by and investigate the variety of flora and fauna found around Smith Mountain Lake.

Robin Hood, Katniss Everdeen, Hawkeye, fictional archers with real world skills.

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.

Join a ranger to create something special from natural elements found around the park.

Think you can stump a ranger?

What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?

Come over to Picnic Shelter #2 and get inspired by the great outdoors.

Join us at the Visitor Center and let's venture out into ancient times!

Frogs, crawdads, and children, oh my!

Slime is survival.

Ever wonder what a ranger does from day to day?

Are there beavers at Smith Mountain Lake?

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

Slip on your closed-toe shoes and get ready to explore the creek.

Come join the party!

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

Kick off your stay at our ranger-led campfire.

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.

Kick off your weekend with an evening of fishing fun!

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

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

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

Join the Virginia Peninsula Stargazers as they point out the different items of our solar system in the night sky. They will have the equipment.  Just bring your curiosity.  This program is dependent on the clarity of the viewing sky on the night it occurs.

Are you ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city?

Rise and shine!

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

Learn about birds of the woods and fields and how they utilize their habitat for survival and nesting.

Bows and arrows have been a part of human society for thousands of years and used for both survival and sport.

Have you ever thought about what an animal eats?

Archery programs are some of the best recreational activities that State Parks have to offer.

How do we make sure that the soil is ready for planting?

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

Join a ranger on a guided hike to learn more about different ecosystems found in the park.

Come join us for the Clinch River Days Festival.

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.

Stand in the shade of one of the most 'poplar' trees in the park as you learn about Swift Creek, native wildlife, and more about the park's history.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Bring your canine companion and join the B.A.R.K.

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

Owls, bats and bugs oh my!

Lichens are some of First Landings most important organisms, and yet they are a mystery to so many people.

Come explore aquatic life in the James River!

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

Join us for a guided tour of the Visitor Center at High Bridge Trail State Park, where history and nature come together!

Our friends Hisstopher and Harrold planned a lunch date, and they want you to join.

Join us for a fun-filled Family Learning Adventure as we celebrate Virginia’s incredible pollinators!

Who made those footprints?

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

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.

Step back in time and experience the power and precision of Civil War-era firepower during this ranger-led musket demonstration, held within the historic grounds of Camp Paradise.

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

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

Come team up with park rangers as we refresh and restore our playgrounds, just in time for summer fun!

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.

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.

Spring sometimes brings unpredictable weather and you may ask, what is up with the weather? Join us to learn weather lore, what ROY G BIV means and talk about what you should do during severe weather like thunderstorms and tornadoes.

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

Stop by our table outside the Visitor Center to learn about some of the common mammals you can see at the park.