Not able to attend a ranger-led program?

Before you hit the trails, stop by the Discovery Room in the Trail Center to see some live animals, learn about invasive species, and find out about local flora.

Embark on a journey into the enchanting world of vernal pools.

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

Enjoy a winter birding adventure to discover duck species and habitats.  In less than a mile we will look for waterfowl from a shallow pond, tidal creek, and the river.  Bald eagles are also frequently found in the area.

Join an interpretive ranger on a hike to the Fairy Stone Dam and Spillway.

Come meet and greet Ranger Myrtle (our Red-Eared Slider turtle), Ranger Scout (our Western Hognose snake), and Ranger Brutus (our Copperhead snake) to discover what makes these rangers so special to Twin Lakes State Park.  Parks are for everyone.

The month of February is nationally recognized as an annual observance and celebration of African American History. Upon visiting the park you'll find many historic buildings that are direct links to the property's past as a former plantation and active farm site.  Beyond these fields and buildings, there are important narratives of the men, women, and children who worked and lived on property over the years as Chippokes has continuously evolved.  Join a ranger as we walk along the historic Quarter Lane,  from the River House to the Jones - Stewart Mansion, to share the history of both enslaved and tenant farmer families of Chippokes.

Meet a Ranger at the Visitor Center for a guided hike to see if you can spot any of our winter birds.

How many snakes of Virginia can you name?

Douthat State Park is home to many fascinating mammals, including black bears.

Come hunt for shark teeth on the shoreline of the Potomac!

Travel through time on this scavenger hunt.

In honor of Groundhog Day join a ranger-led walk to determine if spring has arrived.

Join us to celebrate World Wetlands Day.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.

Discover the art of crafting your own paracord bracelet while learning how this versatile tool can prepare you for the unexpected.

Slither on down and join the Park Ranger for an in depth look into the fascinating lives of some local reptiles.

You can help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s rivers by participating in Mason Neck's Grasses for the Masses program.

Groundhog Day is celebrated every February 2, and legend has it that if the curious critter sees its shadow, we'll have six more weeks of winter.

Have you ever wondered why this park has two lakes?

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.

Turn your found fossils into wearable art!

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

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 astronomers from the Richmond Astronomical Society for a night of awe and wonder.

Too cold to paddle?

On the first Sunday of every month, our Self-care Sunday Series invites you to join in on various activities specially created to help us engage with the beautiful surroundings of Powhatan State Park.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Join the Rangers each week for story time!

Build your very own bug hotel to help provide a winter habitat for beneficial insects.  Your creation will offer insects a special space to hunker down for the winter where they can breed and grow!

Groundhog Day puts groundhogs in the spotlight and makes for a perfect time to learn about these native residents of Mason Neck.

Celebrate World Wetlands Day with a wagon ride!

This field-based game is a fun and safe way to examine the remarkable abilities of bats and the importance of preserving their habitats.

Fire making has been keeping humans warm for thousands of years.

Ready, set, crawl, to join General Raphael, our non-releasable rescue eastern box turtle, as we explore more about her and the animal friends she shares her habitat with.

You can help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s rivers by participating in Mason Neck's Grasses for the Masses program.

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

We can "bear-ly" wait for the second installment of our Winter Lecture Series. Ali Davis, District Wildlife Biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, has a lot of experience helping constituents manage human-wildlife conflicts and is looking forward to sharing some tips and tricks on how to avoid conflict on your property.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

"Butterfly, flutter free, after Winter, come back to me!" Join our rangers as we look into the lives of insects and their winter habits.

Join a Ranger to learn about science and nature at Leesylvania State Park!

Explore the natural and historic world of Twin Lakes State Park with a ranger. This program is part of a homeschool series, but all curious kids are welcome.

Come join one of our Rangers on a guided hike through Widewater State Park!

Explore the natural and historic world of Twin Lakes State Park with a ranger. This program is part of a homeschool series, but all curious kids are welcome.

Join a Ranger to learn about science and nature at Leesylvania State Park!

This series of homeschool programs for students aged 8-12 will meet at the Visitor Center at Lake Anna State Park from 10am - 1pm on multiple dates.

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

Tree ID can be tough enough, but a tree in winter leaves a lot to be desired.

Looking for something fun and educational to do while you're at the park?

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

Winter Trams at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offer the unique opportunity to observe and experience the incredible migration of waterfowl.

Each month, volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to work together on a project that helps improve and maintain our beautiful park.

Take a guided walk with a ranger alongside golden meadow and frosty forest to find out who is out and about!

Take a closer look at your surroundings in our monthly nature journaling classes.

Long before there was a York River State Park, or even a York River, 6,000 plus years ago, marine creatures swam here in a shallow sea.

Embark on a journey into the enchanting world of vernal pools.

Celebrate World Read Aloud Day by joining a park ranger for a fun reading adventure!

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

Tree ID can be tough enough, but a tree in winter leaves a lot to be desired.

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

The Visitor Center is home to two freshwater Red-Eared Slider turtles, Jennika and Venus, and it is time for them to eat.

It's feeding time for two of our ambassador reptiles, Stevie the King Snake and Reba the Corn Snake, and we welcome you to attend this demonstration and learn about these snakes as they prepare to feed on a frozen mouse! .

Meet a Ranger at the Visitor Center for a guided hike to see if you can spot any of our winter birds.

Every year, hundreds of Tundra Swans migrate to the Great Marsh for the winter season.

Douthat State Park is home to many fascinating mammals, including black bears.

Practice your detective skills by uncovering snakes hidden in images of their habitat, and discover how best to avoid those with venom.

Join in this sweet-ending activity using global positioning system (GPS) technology.

Discover a unique wolf species that once called these lands home.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.

Put on your hiking boots, grab a water bottle, and get ready for a winter tree trek at Chippokes State Park!

Discover the art of crafting your own paracord bracelet while learning how this versatile tool can prepare you for the unexpected.

Join the Rangers on a guided hike through First Landing’s wild and unique ecosystems!

Slither on down and join the Park Ranger for an in depth look into the fascinating lives of some local reptiles.

You can help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s rivers by participating in Mason Neck's Grasses for the Masses program.

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.

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.

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

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

Have you ever seen a timberdoodle dance in the twilight sky?

Take a walk in the dark with us to search for some of the park's most elusive night-time predators: owls!

Winter birding is a hobby enjoyed by enthusiasts around the world.

Oh, deer! Some of our 'animal friends' have escaped from the Nature Center and are on the loose.

Walk in the footsteps of moonshiners of decades gone by.

Do you have an eye for finding things?

Join the Rangers each week for story time!

Join us for a fun and interactive way to explore the vibrant bird life at Mason Neck State Park!

There are many stories to tell about Sweet Run State Park.

Come join one of our Rangers on a guided hike through Widewater State Park!

Driftwood is nature's canvas!

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

Ready, set, crawl, to join General Raphael, our non-releasable rescue eastern box turtle, as we explore more about her and the animal friends she shares her habitat with.

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

Have you ever thought about where the railroad at Natural Tunnel goes and what it has been used for through the years?

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

Winter Trams at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offer the unique opportunity to observe and experience the incredible migration of waterfowl.

Join a Ranger to learn about science and nature at Leesylvania State Park!

Explore the natural and historic world of Twin Lakes State Park with a ranger. This program is part of a homeschool series, but all curious kids are welcome.

Explore the natural and historic world of Twin Lakes State Park with a ranger. This program is part of a homeschool series, but all curious kids are welcome.

Join a Ranger to learn about science and nature at Leesylvania State Park!