Meet local 'shellebrity' Ranger Myrtle, the Red-eared Slider turtle, as she suns herself in her enclosure behind the concession building.

Red Poppies have been used for over a decade to symbolize the sacrifices veterans have made for our country.

What does fire mean to you?

Which bird of prey are you?

As animals explore their surroundings they leave us lots of clues.

Watch and learn about our ambassador animals, Reba the Corn Snake or Stevie the King Snake, as they feed on a frozen mouse! .

We would like to introduce you to “Boxer” the box turtle.

Once the smoke cleared, Johnny Reb and Billy Yank would often collapse from exhaustion and set up camp for the night.  What did a military camp look like?  Was it dangerous to be in camp?  Come out for an interactive experience with our rangers as we walk you through the lives of the soldiers from both North and South.  This program is free to the public and family friendly.  Please call the Clover Visitor Center at 434-454-4312 for more information.  .

Enjoy a ranger-led hike learning all about what's blooming and growing around you. This easy, one-mile walk will take visitors through our park's deciduous woodlands along the river granting an opportunity to see some of the New River’s native wildflowers and trees.

America's national symbol, the bald eagle, soars wild and free over the Potomac River.

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

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

Have you ever wondered how snakes can swallow something as big as their own heads?

Bear Creek Lake is a modest 40 aces in size yet has a many-faceted story to tell.

This is the time when dandelions and other brightly colored flowers cover the landscape, and while many are considered weeds, they can be used to make beautiful art! Join a ranger to make your own "dandy lion" from the dandelions and other flowers that we collect from our fields and meadows and learn about the pollinators that visit them.

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

We invite you to join us as we commemorate Memorial Day, a day to pay tribute to those veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Join us as we learn how to identify trees based on their different features, see samples of different parts of a tree and create your own unique tree field guide to take with you.

Experience Occoneechee State Park from a different perspective, as you paddle around the shoreline of Buggs Island Lake.

Looking for a family friendly way to kick off your summer fun?

Take some time to get out of the hot sun and join our park nature interpreter under the tent for some fun crafts.

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.

How well do you know our native Virginia snakes?

Embrace your wild side and come play a game of chase that predator and prey have to "play" to survive everyday.

Embark on a captivating journey into the world of plants and flowers with our Citizen Science Series, "Botanical Adventures." We invite nature enthusiasts and budding botanists to discover the rich diversity of plant life, while contributing to scientific research through the innovative iNaturalist platform.

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.

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

Ever wanted to touch the fur of a skunk or an opossum?

The swamps are a thriving ecosystem full of life!

Frogs, crawdads, and children, oh my!

Turtles have a complex shield covered in a mosaic protein. Join us to look closer at these reptile shells as we recreate natures masterpiece.

Let's beat the heat by making ice cream the traditional way and learning some cool facts along the way.

Come be inspired by the natural beauty of Machicomoco as one of our Rangers leads you through the creation of your own masterpiece (Pre-registration and additional fees required).

Come join the Clinch River State Park staff for the Lyric Paddling Film Festival and Expo.

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

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

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

Gain new knowledge on the basics of composting with this DIY workshop all about waste, worms, and what you can do to start reducing trash in your home.

We will begin “2024 Music in the Park” with a true community event.

Join us at New River Trail State Park for our Foster Falls Music Series!

Spend an entertaining evening sitting around the campfire with an interpreter.

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

Who-who's there?

Enjoy a peaceful evening canoe adventure at Leesylvania State Park on Powell's Creek!  View the majestic colors of a Northern Virginia summer sunset on this tranquil tributary of the Potomac River while catching glimpses of the nocturnal wildlife emerging for the evening.  No paddling experience is required; all participants must be of 6 years or older.

Join us for an original play highlighting the moonshining activity in our local area.

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.

Our summer concert series is back, so get ready for some "foot-stomping" fun with an evening of bluegrass music.

'Whooo' will hear 'whooo' first?

Learn about Douthat State Park's forest nightlife as we immerse ourselves in the night time world of nature.

Have you ever seen or heard an actual owl call in the night?

Join us for a night time tour of our beautiful park.

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

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

Let’s head over to Edmunds Lake and try to wrangle in some big fish.

Interested in the history of Westmoreland State Park?  Join a ranger to learn about the creation of Westmoreland State Park, and the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

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

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

Step back in time and participate in games played in the 18th century.

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

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.

We invite you to join us as we commemorate Memorial Day, a day to pay tribute to those veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

There's something happening in White Oak Swamp, Beavers!

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

Visit a ranger and learn about bear safety.

Pasture Pals is a special program at Chippokes, where guests are introduced to and able to spend quality time with our ambassador farm animals. Have you ever wondered exactly why donkeys have such long ears?

Stop by the Visitor Center and have the opportunity to view the sun through a telescope.

Explore the various ways you can connect with the Earth through keeping a nature journal.

The Indigenous Peoples were well known for being quite clever in their usage of the abundant natural resources found in the woodlands and coastal region, but did you know that these tribes were also compelled to use these same resources for sport and game playing?

Be on the lookout for a roaming ranger with a mini-program and learn something new.

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

What's under that rock?

Hungry Mother State Park's interpreters are always finding cool things around the park and thinking up new activities and crafts.

Stop by the ranger's tent on the way to the pool for fun games, crafts, and prizes.

We invite you to join us as we commemorate Memorial Day, a day to pay tribute to those veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

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.

Connect with nature on a guided hike with the Rangers!

Every animal has unique features and traits that make them special and suited for their natural environment.

Join Virginia Master Naturalist and entomologist Sarah Reilly as she introduces us to some of the beautiful and fascinating tiny critters you’re likely to find in this part of Virginia during this part of the season. Far from creepy, these many-legged crawlers are bound to amaze you as you learn about some of their mind-blowing adaptations and behaviors. Sarah’s presentation will be followed by an optional bug-themed craft that kids and adults alike can take home.

Turtles!

Enjoy a refreshing cup of lemonade with a ranger and engage in interesting discussions to gain a unique insight into local wildlife and conservation efforts.

Gather at Cullers Overlook to gaze across the river valley as we learn of the winding river and surrounding mountains.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

Bring home a piece of history from Westmoreland as you learn to create shark tooth necklaces.  All resources are provided, including shark teeth that you can choose from to create your super cool necklace that can be shown off to all your friends.

Yes, this is an honest-to-goodness game show with buzzers, lights, excitement, and prizes (without the TV cameras). We will put your knowledge to the test about everything from history, animals, plants, and more.

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

We invite you to join us as we commemorate Memorial Day, a day to pay tribute to those veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Join a ranger to learn about the wild animals found at Belle Isle State Park that delight your senses.

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

Explore all about the Northern Flying Squirrel and why they call Grayson Highlands State Park their home.

Ever wonder what it would be like to get up close to a wild animal?

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.

Join a ranger in learning the key differences between our native and non-native pollinators and what they do to help the environment.

What's a benthic organism and how do they survive in the creek?

What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?

Like them or loathe them, snakes are important to our ecosystems.

Of all the mammals, opossums are the most misunderstood. They are fascinating creatures with very unique characteristics.

Scurry on over to investigate the secret life of a bug.

Join us for a wet and wild exploration of the animals living under the water and amidst the salt marshes at First Landing State Park.

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