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

Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is excited to announce the Children’s Summer Music Camp.

Join us along the New River for a FREE hour-long guided yoga flow session, led by a Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor.

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

Have you ever heard a bird call and wanted to know what bird made that noise?

Let us teach you all the basics you'll need to know to get yourself started with one of our most popular outdoor activities, from tying on your hook and tackle to casting your line.

This program is perfect for anyone new to fishing or looking to brush up on their skills in a fun, supportive environment! This program will cover basic fishing skills such as casting, reeling, dragging, hook tying, rigging, and hopefully, catching your first fish in the New River.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Explore the beautiful wetlands or river with us.

Take a guided walk with a butterfly expert in search of colorful creatures of the meadow!  First, you'll get tips and tricks for learning butterfly identification and anatomy as well as a glimpse into their amazing life cycles and awe-inspiring adaptations.

Immerse yourself in nature and experience the calming and health-promoting benefits of the forest.

See First Landing in a whole new lens in this guided program through one of the most vital ecosystems around: the marsh!

Come explore aquatic life in the James River!

Animals have some amazing feats and hold some amazing records.

Can you recall taking a break on a hot summer day and sitting under the shade of a maple tree, or swinging on a tire swing hung from a giant oak? Trees provide many benefits including food, shelter, and oxygen, to both humans and wildlife.

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

Have you ever heard of the Woodbooger?

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

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.

Have you ever wondered what sort of fish and other creatures live in the York River's brackish waters?  Visit the friendly neighborhood park ranger who has examples of fish and shellfish families.

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

Calling all budding detectives.

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

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.

Have you ever touched bear fur or looked at the teeth of a beaver?

Take a journey to Wilburn Ridge and discover the marvelous world of the Mountain Laurel and the Catawba Rhododendron. Learn about the different species within the park, why they grow where they grow, and hear the lore of these amazing plants.

Every week the Rangers at First Landing will show off some of our wonderful animal ambassadors to provide an up-close look at the reptiles and amphibians that call First Landing home! Located within the trail center, the Discovery Room is welcome to all ages.

Ever wanted to learn how to crab?

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

Join us as we build a creature to find out how adaptations of native animals (as well as creatures of Appalachian folklore) can help them be specially made for their environment. As a spooky twist, put together pieces of famous creatures to make your own cryptic, just as Dr.

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

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

The Bay can hold many secrets.

Get your feet wet investigating the vast array of life in a stream. Catch crawdads, salamanders, frogs and such.

Come join a ranger for a riverside hike along the Clinch River.

Think you can stump a ranger?

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

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.  Participants must be ages 10 and over.

When it comes to carrying survival materials with you on the trail, every little bit of space counts, so hikers come up with creative ways to carry their gear.

Join us for "Turtle Time" at Holliday Lake State Park and meet our beloved turtle, Harrold Holliday!

What's that roosting in the rafters?

Come over to picnic shelter #2 and get inspired by the great outdoors.

Come out to South Beach to learn how to use different types of nets to discover what animals are hiding offshore.

Get creative and discover the magic of upcycling! Join us in repurposing glass bottles that were headed to the landfill by painting your own vase.

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

Have you ever wondered what lies beyond the forest cover of the mountains?

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.

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

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

The forests are full of things both delicious and dangerous, but can you tell which is which?

Twilight Paddle Adventures are a great way to spend an evening away from the hustle and bustle of work, traffic and the cares of life.

End your week with a relaxing paddle along Swift Creek Lake.

The blue crab is one of the most iconic species of the Chesapeake Bay.

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

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

Brave the superstition and come out for a beautiful moonlight paddle on the lower Potomac River.

Come join the party!

Kick off your stay at our ranger-led campfire.

Welcome to Fairy Stone State Park! Join us by the fire to get to know your fellow campers, learn about the history of the park, receive a few tips and tricks from a ranger on lighting a fire, and allow us to answer any questions you may have.

Where's the best place to fish at the park?

Join us at the amphitheater for a warm welcome to the park, camping tips, and fun activities!

Join us for a special night hike through False Cape State Park.

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

What hides in the Appalachian wilderness after dark?

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

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

As dusk draws near, lightning bugs appear!

Come for the s’mores, stay for the fun!

Come out to Leesylvania State Park to celebrate Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day.

Save the date for the annual Claytor Lake Festival.

In observance of Virginia State Park's History and Culture Weekend, the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will offer a Civil War Bus Tour on Saturday, June 14.

Join us for History & Heritage Day at High Bridge Trail State Park, where we will explore the fascinating past of one of Virginia’s most historic landmarks!

Start your day with a peaceful and invigorating ranger-led hike at High Bridge Trail State Park.

Paddle through the Catlett Islands on a Ranger led kayak tour which explores the diverse wildlife, ecosystems, and history of the park.

Spend time floating down the Clinch River.

Join us Saturday, June 14th, for a guided kayaking program with Latino Outdoors DMV and Shenandoah River State Park.

Explore historic Prince Edward Lake on this guided canoe tour led by rangers.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will offer a monthly "Birding in the Gap" program on the second Saturday of each month (with the exception of October and December).

Get knee-deep in the Shenandoah during Fly Fishing 101!  During this program, our fly-fishing instructor will go over all the basics to get you catching your first fish on a fly!

Learn about the park and lake's history by boat!

Join a ranger as you unravel the many mysteries of the Natural Bridge.

Join Rangers for a morning of family fun, fishing and learning about the Potomac River.

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

Ride with a park guide as we experience Smith Mountain Lake from a boat.

Become a Junior Ranger today at Westmoreland State Park.

Journey to Martin’s Station and find yourself immersed in Virginia’s frontier.

Join us every second Saturday at the Mayo River Trails to explore the future Mayo River State Park. You will also discover some interesting facts about local wildlife, and about the exploration of the area by William Byrd.

If you would like to hear what music sounded like in the 1840s before the Civil War, then we have a very unique experience for you. We will have a historically accurate live music program with reproduction banjos, fiddles, and more with some great history about the songs they are playing. This only happens once a year! Please bring some chairs or blankets and enjoy a wonderful evening with us.  BBQ food vendor will be at the park on Saturday and Sunday.

In 1860, nearly half of Fauquier County's 21,706 residents were enslaved, with thirteen enslaved individuals living at the Mount Bleak Farm.

From the Colonial Era thru today, black watermen have been a part of the Chesapeake Bay seafood industry in all levels.  Discover the communities built on harvesting fish and shellfish giving African Americans financial freedom even in the Jim Crow years.  Even today, we can help improve the bay so that everyone can enjoy it’s beauty and bounty.

Hear the tale of star-crossed lovers that the trail is named after and view the tunnel from above.

Established as a private residence in 1659, Caledon has a long and storied history.

Become a prospector as we follow in the footsteps of "Stampmill Sam".

On June 14th and 15th, we invite you to visit the park's historic cemetery for Virginia State Parks History & Culture Weekend.

How did Pocahontas State Park come to be? What are the "Original 6" State Parks?

Come walk the park's bluebird trail with a Virginia Master Naturalist as she checks the nestboxes and records data for the Virginia Bluebird Society.

Curious about how the light green house looks from the inside and its restoration process?

Join professional outdoor instructor Tim MacWelch to learn about the remarkable summertime wild edible and medicinal plants of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Hosted by the Virginia Master Naturalist Bluebird Team, feel inspired as you learn about Eastern Bluebird conservation.

Pick up a copy of the self guided Cabin Creek Trail brochure at the Park Office or Visitor Center.