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

Want to express your patriotism and possibly win a prize?

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

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

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.

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.

Join a ranger, enjoy Big Meadow Trail, and learn about the natural history of Westmoreland State Park.

Join a ranger for a special Independence Day program exploring the pivotal events of April 6, 1865, during the closing days of the Civil War.

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.

Do you have what it takes to be the apex predator of volleyball?

The York River was home to four manned lighthouses: Bells Rock, Pages Rock, Tue Marshes, and York Spit.  Bells Rock was the uppermost, just two miles below West Point.  Pages Rock was the only other light above the Coleman (Rt.

Beat the heat this 4th of July with a stream-side guided hike to learn the basics of tree identification.

Join us for a celebration at our picnic area from 10am-2pm.

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

Honor Independence Day with a van ride and historical walking tour to learn about the intriguing life of a World War I veteran buried in the park's historic cemetery.   The group will meet at the River Bend Campground's Overflow Parking Lot.

Join us by stopping by our table to learn about trash and it’s impact on the beach, and how we can help prevent it from damaging our environment!

Celebrate the 4th of July and show off your creativity with a patriotic themed craft, fun for the whole family!

Stop by this Chesapeake Bay display on your way to the beach to hear a short talk all about one of the nation’s most valuable waterways.

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

The Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence, leaving ties to the English crown in ruin and the North American colonies in an open state of rebellion.

Celebrate the Fourth of July by decorating your bike with red, white, and blue decorations.

What will we scoop up this time?

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

Discover the fascinating world of creepy crawlies with a park ranger.

The summer is in full swing at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Migrate to the beach, under the tent below the pavilion, to learn about the fascinating "Fish Hawk". Learn interesting facts about our visiting ospreys: how do you tell the male from the female?

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

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.

Enjoy a relaxing paddle on the Potomac River! This paddle tour is designed to show you the ecosystem, wildlife, and views from the river as we look back to the shoreline of Westmoreland State Park.  This paddle provides excellent views and wildlife sighting opportunities to include, the Horsehead Cliffs (from a safe distance),stratigraphy of the Cliffs, erosion and water as a true natural force, a brief fossil hunting on fossil beach, and significant bird watching opportunities to include special and unscheduled appearances by Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Blue Herons, and more!  Please sign up and pay in advance for this program at the Visitor Center. Guests should meet at the day-use beach and boathouse area. All equipment is provided however participants should wear closed-toed shoes. All children participating should be over 35lbs. Participants should wear a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and bring water and snacks with them.  This paddle begins at the scheduled time and can run for roughly 2 hours. This program has limited spots available.

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

Do you have a bike and want to celebrate the birth of our nation?

As you make your way to the shoreline, stop and visit the live creature displays of fish & shellfish that were recently captured in the York River and Woodstock Pond.  The ranger on duty will share about these creatures and their role in the ecosystem.

Are all snakes venomous?

Put yourself and Natural Tunnel State Park rangers to the test with a fun game of Independence Day-themed trivia.

Slither and splash into the world of reptiles.

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.

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.

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.

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

The Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence, leaving ties to the English crown in ruin and the North American colonies in an open state of rebellion.

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.

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

Let's beat the heat and make some homemade ice cream in a bag.

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

Stop by the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and step back in time to experience aspects of life on the frontier.

What's that roosting in the rafters?

Think you can stump a ranger?

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

What can the creatures that live in the river tell us about the water?

Take some time to get out of the hot sun and join our park nature interpreter under the tent for some fun crafts. Independence Day is a time to reflect on our freedom.

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.

One Fish, Two Fish, I-Don’t-Know-Who Fish!

Join us to hear about the impacts of fire; from the habitats it touches to how humans have learned to use it to our advantage throughout the ages.

Feel the heat?

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.

Look for the park interpreter on the sidewalk between the pavilion and sand at the swimming beach to have some fun making bubbles.

Join our rangers for a Fourth of July campfire.

As you soak up the sun this July 4th, it is important to stay cool.

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

Friends, family, and fun can be found at our ranger-led campfire.

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

Come join the party!

Join our rangers for a bit of fun around the campfire.

Come chow down at the campfire and share some s’mores as we settle into the weekend and leave our marks on a fiery take-home souvenir!

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

Welcome to Staunton River State Park!

Join us at the Community Fire Ring to relax, enjoy a roasted marshmallow, and get to know your camping neighbors.

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

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.

Enjoy a movie under the stars.

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

Join us for a glow-in-the-dark wagon ride!  Our wagon will be shining bright with our nation's colors as we cross over fields and creeks.

A light glows beneath the surface of Holliday Lake.

Join us for a glow-in-the-dark wagon ride!  Our wagon will be shining bright with our nation's colors as we cross over fields and creeks.

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

Start your morning with a scenic and inspiring bike ride led by a park ranger on High Bridge Trail!

Perfect for beginners, this class will help you connect with nature and start your bird-watching journey.

Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater Peninsula.

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!

Explore the shoreline of the Potomac by kayak! Enjoy a daytime paddle on the lower Potomac River as we look and listen for bald eagles.

Join us for a rewarding morning of gardening alongside fellow plant enthusiasts.

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

Join us to learn some cool tricks and tips about stand-up paddle boarding.

Join a ranger to hike the Stuart's Knob Trail on National Trails Day and learn about the history of Fayerdale and the importance Stuart's Knob played to in helping the residents earn money throughout its short tenure.

Be on the lookout for our Roving Ranger as they roam the trail around High Bridge with interesting historical items from the park.

Join us on the first Saturday of the month to experience the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of history at Sky Meadows.

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

Join certified Forest Therapy volunteer, Tina Hayes, for a relaxing program made to calm the mind.

From May to August, the Overton-Hillsman House will be open to the public on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The historic home was a witness to war, a battlefield hospital, and the birthplace of one of the nation’s foremost Black educators.

Explore the park's expansive wetlands with us as we search for and identify the plants and animals that call this unique habitat their home.

Come and explore a dynamic ecosystem that prevents erosion and brings life to the river.  The living shoreline between the rip-rap and water’s edge is attracting interesting estuarine and marine creatures and plants.  Discover them and how living shorelines enhance and protect our waterfronts.

Owls, bats, and bugs, oh my!

The trash and litter we leave behind can hurt the environment.

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

This week's theme for Junior Rangers is An Island in the Sky.

Ever wonder what animals call Kiptopeke home, or what shells you can find on our beaches?

Discover the timeless art of pine needle basket weaving and unlock your creativity with this hands-on workshop.

Find out what lurks below the surface of the swamp in this fun dip-netting adventure!

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