Do you feel safer walking with a friend?

The brackish waters of the York River has a unique variety of fish and shellfish.  Follow the Woodstock Pond Trail to the river access point past shelter #3 to the left of the pond, Rangers will be using 2-man seine and other nets to discover what is in the water.

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

Have you ever wondered what secrets the natural world holds? This drop-in program offers a unique opportunity to meet with Virginia Master Naturalists who will be available to answer all your nature-related questions.

Who made those footprints?

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.

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

Explore amazing insects, discover the world of rocks and minerals, learn about a remarkable tree and how you can help bring it back from the brink of extinction, and get up close and personal with some of our reptile friends.

Got a little explorer who’s beyond crawling, but isn’t ready to hike with the Kindergarten siblings?  The Tyke Hike is the perfect fit for little legs.  The hikes are less than a mile and mostly stroller friendly.  The ranger will help your little one discover neat things in nature in this one hour adventure.

How many animals inhabitants of First Landing State Park can you identify?

Every Monday evening from May to the first week of September you can find local fresh produce, baked goods, honey, jams and jellies, soap, and local artisan crafters, as well as food vendors, here at Fairy Stone State Park.

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

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

The Fairfield Foundation opens the Timberneck house for free walk-in tours every Tuesday.

Come learn what makes cave ecosystems so delicate and special.

Have you ever bumped into one of our tall bark-covered residents and wondered who it is you've just run into?

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

The Survival bracelet is the superhero utility belt of the outdoors.

First Landing is home to many creatures both large and small.

Is the opossum misunderstood?

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.

Join the Rangers each week to learn a new skill to help you survive in the wild.

Animals may be shy, but they leave plenty of clues behind.

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

How can we be more sustainable when practicing our favorite hobbies?

Ever wondered how you stack up against some of the largest birds in the sky?

“What does the fox say?” Did you know that there are two different foxes found in Virginia, the red fox and the grey fox?

Bring your current project, plans, or patterns, and work with others doing the same. If you do not have a project but would like to contribute, we are looking for some clothing items that we can either wear or display at the park for special events.

Did you know people were tie-dyeing clothes over a thousand years before it became a 1960s fashion trend?

Our beautiful park is the perfect place to pick up a fun new workout routine.

Allow the evening to envelop you and enjoy a hay wagon ride with our park guide.

Spend time floating down the Clinch River.

Children Ages 7 - 13 Wednesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Children can experience Virginia’s frontier like never before.

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

Yes, you too can canoe!

Take a fascinating hike to learn about the rich history of James River State Park from fossils to the American Civil War.

Whether your child is an aspiring adventurer or simply loves being outdoors, this program is designed to ignite their curiosity and foster valuable skills.

Come across our Ranger outposts stationed at a part of First Landing State Park you may have never visited: the Narrows Beach!

Designed to introduce young participants to the wonders of the natural world and foster an appreciation for the environment.

Join us as we open the doors to the old Norfolk and Western caboose 518517.

Without pollinators, people and all of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.

Migrate to the Discovery Center to learn about the fascinating "Fish Hawk".

What animal inspired a popular children's game?

While most of the adventure on the New River takes place above the water, there is no shortage of things to see below the water!

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.

Go back in time in the historic village of Foster Falls.

Douthat Lake is home to some big, beautiful trout.

Our amazing amphibians are abundant here in the mountains.

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

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

Meet at the Big Water Visitor Center and help our resident box turtle have some fun in the sun! .

Trees are so important to our environment. They give us air to breathe, homes for animals, wood to build our homes and help control erosion.

Get your feet wet and explore life in the creek.

Right now in Fairy Stone Lake, giant gelatinous blobs resembling brains can be found attached to stationary objects in the water, using their tentacles to feed.

Enjoy a scenic guided walk along the New River Trail. This easy one-mile round trip tour will take visitors outside one of the oldest mining operations in North America, the Austinville lead mines.

Whether you're fascinated or a little rattled, snakes are a vital part of healthy ecosystems, and they’re not as scary as they seem.

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

Meet us on South Beach to help clean up trash and search for treasures.

Have we sparked your interest?

Join our Park Rangers for a unique experience of Aquia Creek as the cloak of twilight descends.

Hop on over for a hands-on adventure into the world of frogs. Join park staff as we search for some of Virginia’s native frog species and their tadpoles.

The day has been filled with fun activities, but now it is time to wind down with a peaceful paddle on the lake.

Join us at picnic shelter #1 for a late-night hike as we search for owls and other nocturnal animals that call Kiptopeke home.

Children Ages 7 - 13 Wednesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Children can experience Virginia’s frontier like never before.

Do you want to witness the art of Gyotaku fish printing, an ancient craft where you can create your own fish masterpiece!

Kayak season is here!

Ride with a park guide as we experience the shores of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Want to experience the New River Trail State Park in a way few people get a chance to?

Let’s go on a fun "History Hike" at Staunton River State Park. Our interpretive ranger will lead the hike on River Bank Trail and talk about the exciting history of the Staunton River and our beautiful State Park.

Bring your phone and take a walk on the Sensory  Explorers’ Trail with Alex Newhart, a Virginia Master Naturalist photographer.   Learn how to capture exceptional nature photographs using only your smartphone no matter which type of phone you use (Android or iPhone).

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

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

Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.  We will hike to a small woodland and marsh stream, freshwater pond, and brackish/saltwater river.  With nets, we will capture and identify different crustaceans, fish, and take note of plant life. .

Join the Rangers on a guided hike through our most popular trail!

This is a fantastic time of year to take-in the beautiful scenery of Southwest Virginia.

We use fire for all sorts of things in the outdoors, but how do we work with it safely?

Have you ever wondered what makes an owl such a skilled night hunter?

Find time to head down to the Tunnel Platform where you’ll find amazing views of the 300-foot-tall amphitheater walls of the Natural Tunnel, rock pigeons, and if you’re lucky, a train.

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.

The beauty of nature has inspired artists for thousands of years.

Time to go on a scavenger hunt in the campground. Staunton River’s campground is nestled back in the woods right beside the Staunton River and is the perfect place to spot some interesting rocks, animals, and plant life. Each guest will be provided with a list of items to find. Will you be the first to find them all? If so, then you may receive a prize at the end of the program. Everyone will meet at the Visitor Center and the hunt will start from there.

Beat the heat at our new River Bend Discovery Center!

Join us for "Tree Topia" as we uncover the magical realm of trees and their incredible role as habitats!

Step into the shoes of an archaeologist and uncover the secrets of an owl’s diet!

The batteau was a historically significant boat used in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Who wouldn't want to learn helpful skills to fully enjoy nature safely and responsibly?

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

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

Trees are some of the most crucial organisms on the planet.

How much do you know about Douthat State Park's past?

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

Have you met the animals living at Hungry Mother State Park's Discovery Center?

We all love the great outdoors and enjoy nature. Sometimes we are in a hurry and miss out on all the little things nature has to offer. The James River and its lush landscapes have always been a source of life and inspiration. So, let's take that inspiration and have a “brush” with nature while we paint what we see and talk about what we are painting.

Join us for a refreshing blend of learning and outdoor fun that promotes environmental awareness and sparks a sense of wonder about the tiny worlds hidden in plain sight, right by the pool.

Explore the marshes of Back Bay by kayak while observing birds and other wildlife.

Slip on your closed-toe shoes and get ready to explore the creek.

Don't be afraid to mix it up.

Celebrate National Camping Month as we team up with the Town of Luray and Shenandoah National Park to present Camp and Conservation: Nature Know-How.  During this program, you'll rotate through different stations that teach you how to take care of your campsite and the nature surrounding you.

Shine a light on days gone by with a lantern-lit history tour of the Natural Bridge.

Step into the quiet, mysterious woods of Douthat State Park after dark for an unforgettable experience.