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Follow the path taken by old miners of days gone by.

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.

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 rangers at the park for a fun nature reading session.

Through history, people have utilized plants to survive out of which can come special relationships.          On this walk we will use our senses to relate to and appreciate the textures and aromas of three forest species native to this part of Virginia - Sassafras, Sourwood, and Spice Bush - and their impact on human culture.

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

Are all snakes venomous?

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

Come view a resident Osprey nest along the New River in Fries, Virginia.

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

Come explore the historic town of Fries.

The 250-acre Hoover Mountain Bike Area is located on a reclaimed 20th century mine site.

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

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

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.

Join us and Mount Rogers Community Services and immerse yourself in nature's grandeur while fueling your body, mind, and soul every Friday at noon.

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.

During this one-mile trek, a ranger will guide you through this journey through time on Goodwin Lake Trail. Although rated easy, this trail may not be suitable for those with strollers or severe mobility issues.

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect "Fairy Stone" that everyone is looking for.

Did you know there was once a thriving "boom town" located where our lake is today?

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

Discover the magical realm of trees and their incredible role as habitats for a diverse array of creatures.

Join us at Estonoa Wetlands Center for a fun filled activity with arts and crafts.

Honoring the life of educator, coach, naturalist, and birder Randy Smith (1951-2023).

Vultures are a critical component of the ecosystem yet are frequently misunderstood and maligned.

Pollinator populations everywhere are in a steady decline, but why all the buzz about it?

Come experience the beautiful James River on this guided kayak tour. The trip includes a brief overview of paddling safety and techniques, as well as on-the-water interpretations of natural and cultural features.

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

Enjoy a morning of family fun, fish, learn about the Potomac River, and maybe win a trophy!  Sponsored by the Friends of Leesylvania State Park, these fishing tournaments throughout the summer are suitable for all ability levels, ages 3-15.  No rod and reel?  No problem!  The Friends have suitable tackle on hand to loan.  We hope to see you there!

The Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon is the first open water swim triathlon in the western part of the state of Virginia.

The Central Piedmont Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists is hosting a Wildflower Symposium at Bear Creek Hall on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cynthia Wood is our featured speaker. After introducing the plants of the area, she will lead a wildflower walk over moderately level terrain. Attendees will receive a copy of the bloom calendar for native plants in our area.

Spring has SPRUNG, and with it comes the much-anticipated arrival of candy-colored visitors from the tropics!

Come join Clinch River State Park Rangers at the Pine Mountain Naturalist Rally for a fun talk and show of the Clinch River's native animal pelts and furs.

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

Join us for a guided tour of the Overton-Hillsman House (circa 1780) at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park to learn about everyday experiences during the 19th century.

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

Join our staff for a guided tour of Mulberry Hill, the plantation home of Judge Paul Carrington, Virginian and Founding Father. Mulberry Hill was a working tobacco farm owned by the McPhails during the American Civil War and was used by Union General Wilson as his headquarters during the 1864 cavalry raid into Southside Virginia.

Do your kids enjoy gardening?

Join us on a walk around Seven Bends State Park as we identify the “First Flowers of Spring” under the guidance of a volunteer from the Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association in Northern Virginia.

The use of bows to shoot arrows has been a part of global history for thousands of years whether for defense, survival, or sport.

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

Overlooking the New River, the Shot Tower was built in the 1800s to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers.

How healthy is our soil?

Can you shout out BINGO first?  Join us for birding bingo, a guided birding hike along the Bluebell Trail.

Join us for an exciting journey into the world of butterflies with our Citizen Science Series, "Exploring Nature with eButterfly." We will explore how to utilize eButterfly, a cutting-edge citizen science platform, to identify, document, and contribute to butterfly research. Discover the rich diversity of butterflies in their local ecosystems and gain valuable skills in butterfly identification, observation, and data collection.

We let the dogs out!

Join us at Holliday Lake State Park for an immersive journey into the fascinating world of pollinators!

A face only a mother could love?

The forge is fired up and the blacksmiths are hard at work showing off their skills.

Follow your nose to the Log Cabin to see what is cooking on the hearth.

Please join us for a very special afternoon with Carl “Gump” Blair and Gene Dunford.

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.

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

Who goes there?

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.

Families join us on an nature adventure through our most popular trail, The Potomac Trail.

In nearly every community across the country, cemeteries stand as places of reverence and serve to hold in memory those who came before.

Meet with a ranger and go on a guided hike along the Oak Hickory Trail.

Do you love art and nature?

Discover what tiny creatures call the edge of Goodwin Lake home at this dip netting activity.

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

Learn some of the trade secrets of what it takes to create the perfect "Fairy Stone" that everyone is looking for.

Learn how Mother Nature can both inspire and help you create your next masterpiece.

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

Prepare to be mesmerized by the mysterious world of snakes at Holliday Lake State Park's "Sssensational Snakes" program!

Be on the lookout for our Roving Ranger as they roam the picnic areas and beaches with interesting animal or historical artifacts from the park.

Think you can identify a coyote track from a domestic dog?

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

Trees have magical qualities which give us many important everyday items and the oxygen we breathe.

Frogs, crawdads, and children, oh my!

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

What's under that rock?

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

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

Hoo-hoo-hooooo's calling?

Star gaze with us and become a "Night Sky Explorer" Junior Ranger!

Join astronomers from the Richmond Astronomical Society for Saturday Under the Stars.

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. .

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

Did you know that opossums roamed the earth with the dinosaurs and that raccoons have “hands” like ours? Wonder what other secrets these critters hold? Join us to discover little known facts about these amazing animals and how they benefit humans.

Take a stroll along our lake shore as you visit several mesmerizing lights that have been placed in or along the lake.

If you ever wanted to see a shooting star, come join our meteor shower watch! Join park rangers for an exploration of our night sky at this International Dark Sky Park.

Join Naturalist Patty Elton on a spring birding hike at beautiful New River Trail State Park. Peak songbird migration along the New River is mid-April to mid-May.

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

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

Nature is magic.

Put away your smartphone and plot a course for adventure with this introduction to the sport of orienteering.

Are you new to fishing and would like to learn the basics?

The use of bows to shoot arrows has been a part of global history for thousands of years whether for defense, survival, or sport.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Overlooking the New River, the Shot Tower was built in the 1800s to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers.

Looking for that perfect selfie spot?

Join a ranger to learn how our beautiful lake came to be and the fascinating history of the lake's past inhabitants.

Can you shout out BINGO first?  Join us for birding bingo, a guided birding hike along the Bluebell Trail.

During the spring and summer, osprey dominate the skies over Leesylvania as they build nests and raise their young.

Ever wonder what dolls of the 18th century frontier looked like or what they were made of?

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.

The Bear Creek Lake State Park Archery Club is open to beginner and intermediate level archers 18 years old and older.

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