Learn about fire safety!

Scary?

Join rangers for an exited guided hike along the River Bank Trail.

Tie-dye wasn't the brainchild of American hippies during the 1960's.

Enjoy all of the fun of fishing with none of the mess.

Take a wagon ride to the scenic Tye Overlook and enjoy the prettiest view for miles around!

The First Saturday Community Coffee House is an open-mic event and is open to all family-friendly performers.

Nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sky Meadows' campground provides you with a fantastic place to enjoy peaceful rejuvenation, but how much do you know about this wonderful park?

Hop on over to learn the calls and search for some of Virginia's native frog species.

Gather around the campfire with park staff and visitors on Saturday evenings this summer. Each week will feature different nature-related themes, while making sweet culinary creations.

Adventures are meant to be shared - National Trails Day is a great opportunity to meet new people in your area and share a fun experience on a local trail.

The Rappahannock Astronomy Club presents their monthly evening of deep space viewing.

Join a ranger for an interactive evening by the campfire as we discuss the unique stories and critters of Pocahontas State Park and the Virginia State Park system.

When the sun takes its daily dive below the horizon and delivers night time to your doorstep, there’s no rule saying you have to stay in for the evening.

Discover the “bear facts” about Fairy Stone’s black bears at our Ranger led program!

Whoo will see whoo first?

Join astronomy volunteers as they share the stories written in the night sky.

Come join the fantastic storytellers of CHAOS (Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society) on the observation field to share the stories of the stars.

Did you know that James River is a member of the International Dark-Sky Association?

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

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

Rise and shine for a deep dive into the history of Swift Creek Lake.

Ask about our free Junior Rangers booklet with fun activities that lead kids on a journey through the different periods of Twin Lakes State Park's cultural and natural history.

Try to catch different species of fish in the Shenandoah River.

From woodlands to wetlands, fields and pastures, let's investigate the plants, animals and history of farming at Sky Meadows State Park.

How would you like to be a nature detective?  This ranger guided hike to Rock Spring Pond is also a scavenger hunt!

With the bountiful and beautiful flora of Machicomoco, it won’t be any trouble to build your own bloom!

Learn the essentials of basic target archery. The equipment is not suitable for children under the age of 10.

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

Have you ever wondered why donkeys have such long ears or why pigs like to roll in the mud?

Many people plant gardens to provide fresh veggies and fruits.

Is there still a chimney in the lake?

Come visit our one-of-a-kind science lab all to do with the Chesapeake Bay.

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

Snakes are some of Earth's most unique animals.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

In 1933, the country was in the grips of the Great Depression.

Take a moderate hike to the two highest points in the park and learn of natural history and how humans have effected it throughout the decades.  Bring water and good pair of hiking shoes or boots.

Do you want to learn how to identify the different species of dragonflies found at Mason Neck State Park?

Get ready to catch gold fever.

This special program is designed to provide an in depth look at the fossils that have been found along the Potomac River. We will explore the world of fossils and extinction.

Do you wonder why High Bridge looks the way it does today?

Did you ever wonder why butterflies and moths have such amazing colors and patterns?

Take a closer look at what swims in the James River.

The Jones-Stewart Mansion is a stunning example of an antebellum plantation house built in 1854.

Learn about the various trees at Natural Tunnel and decorate your very own tree cookie to take home. .

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

Take a moderate hike with park staff up into the high country and discover the alpine meadows and learn the history of the area and look for the wild ponies.  Bring water and a good pair of hiking shoes or boots.

Find the "roving ranger", as they travel around the waterfront to learn how YOU can save a skunk and the other wildlife that call the park home.

From the tiniest of shark teeth to a whopping whale skeleton, the fossils of Horsehead Cliffs show that life was once very different at Westmoreland.

Tour a replica of the Anderson Blockhouse as members of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association provide information about the history of the building and area.

What's next?

Plop, plop, splash!

Westmoreland State Park is a special place known for the fossils including shark teeth you can find along our beaches.

Using a seine net, we will take a closer look at small fish and other animals that might be living near the shoreline.

Are they stumps?

Keep your eyes peeled for a roaming ranger around the park.

We’ll spend time finding out about different animals by looking at their pelts and discussing why they adapted the fur they have to where they live. We will also play a game to test your skills.   .

Sketch out a path to discover the art of Nature while nurturing your inner artist.

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.

Ready, set, crawl on over and 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.

Do you enjoy looking at the nighttime sky?

Whistling what?

End the weekend with a scenic trip on the York River (or Taskinas Creek depending on water conditions) in the evening.  Discover the birds and creatures that are active in the gentle light of sunset.  Call the park office for rental fees and reservations.

Nature Knapsacks are designed to help you explore Douthat State Park and surrounding areas.

Douthat State Park is the perfect place to look up and do some stargazing.

Geocaching is a popular outdoor treasure hunting activity that requires the use of a GPS (Geographic Positioning System) device that uses longitude and latitude coordinates to lead you to a "geocache”, typically a small, sealed plastic container.  We have created a multi-cache system for beginner geocachers that follows Buck Lick trail. The terrain of the Buck Lick trail is rated “EASY” and does not involve any strenuous or difficult hiking.  The trail begins just across the Douthat State Park Road from the Park Restaurant.  At the trailhead you should follow the trail that bears toward the right (the southeast).  The Buck Lick trail follows a circular route that will bring you back to the trailhead.  The coordinates of the geocaches are:  GPS units and geocache coordinates may be rented from the park office.   Geocache 1 = N 37° 54.199                          W 79° 47.894 Geocache 2 = N 37° 54.174                          W 79° 47.842 Geocache 3 = N 37° 54.219                           W 79° 47.865 Geocache 4 = N 37° 54.232                          W 79° 47.924  .

The 1.33 mile Twin Pinnacles Trail leads to the two highest points in Grayson Highlands State Park.

Claytor Lake State Park is a great place for education in an outdoor setting.  Reserve a ranger and give your family or group a chance to engage in activities not otherwise available in our park.

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.

Open your eyes to the diversity of plant life at Claytor Lake by joining us on this virtual plant tour.

Download the free UniGuide app and begin listening to the fascinating history of this land's past inhabitants.

Within the trail system lies the Troop 244 5K Cross Country Trail.

TRACK Trail Adventures are designed to help kids explore nature through the use of self-guided brochures.

Take a walk with words, recreate your mind, and enjoy a divergent adventure in the park.

Belle Isle State Park is looking for the next generation of ranger, are you ready to give it a try?

Belle Isle State Park has some great activities that you can do on your own schedule.

What is Geocaching ?

Become a Junior Ranger at Fairy Stone State Park!

Kiptopeke State Park invites visitors ages 4+ to become a Junior Ranger.  By completing the Junior Ranger Booklet kids will take the Junior Ranger Pledge to preserve and protect our parks, and earn their Junior Ranger badge!

Want to explore and discover the natural, cultural, and historical wonders of Kiptopeke State Park?

Stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a copy of a self-guided brochure on the 22 Trees of Virginia Tour.

As you explore the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and the surrounding area, discover what makes this building so unique as well as what was commonly used on the frontier for survival during the 18th Century.

Enjoy a self-guided tour during your hike down to see the Natural Tunnel.

Purchase your very own booklet filled with twenty-one activities to choose from.

Visit our Main Visitor Center or Trail Center to receive your very own First Landing Junior Ranger booklet!

Help your child explore the world around them and become a Junior Ranger by picking up the self-guided program located in our kiosks.

Become a Junior Ranger at Claytor Lake State Park. Our Junior Ranger booklet allows kids the option of becoming a Junior Ranger by attending park nature programs/activities or completing self-guided offerings.

Stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a copy of a self-guided brochure on the 22 Trees of Virginia Tour.

Experience geocaching at Sky Meadows State Park with three brand new caches.

Our Junior Ranger brochure allow kids the option of achieving a badge on their own through supervised self-guided activities, or by attending a few park activities, such as nature programs, when scheduled. The brochures are available at the park office during office hours.

The park offers several trails ranging from easy to difficult in terrain difficulty.

Westmoreland State Park is officially inviting our visitors from ages 4+ to accept the challenge of completing their Junior Ranger Handbook, to make their environmental stewardship pledge, and to earn their badge!

Kids, find out what it takes to be a ranger at Sky Meadows State Park.

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

Ever wonder what that old motel sign is doing in the park, or why there are concrete ships off the fishing pier?

This 1.9-mile self-guided loop will lead you through a northern hardwood forest, across several small streams and down to the creek bed.

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

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

Smith Mountain Lake is the perfect location for fishing.