Celebrate the new year by joining park rangers and volunteers for the annual First Day Hike at Shenandoah River State Park. We will meet at Cullers Overlook, and two separate guided hikes will be offered:.
Hike 1 is easy to moderate difficulty and will follow a slightly over 3-mile circuit from the Overlook trail to the Visitor Center, then Hemlock Hollow down the hill, along the river on Bluebell and back up the hill on Campground.
Hike 2 will be an easy, simple out and back hike from the Overlook to the Visitor Center and back. This hike will be less than a mile over trail.
The Friends of Shenandoah River State Park will be providing light refreshments at the Visitor Center. Guests are encouraged to bring water, snacks, and enthusiasm for the new year.
Free Parking is available at Cullers Overlook.
EVENT date & Time
Sunday January 1, 2023. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m..
PARK Location
The park is in Warren County, 8 miles south of Front Royal and 15 miles north of Luray. It’s off Rt. 340 in Bentonville.
Address is 350 Daughter of Stars Drive, Bentonville, VA 22610; Latitude, 38.854777. Longitude, -78.306552.
Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Shenandoah River State Park
on September 24, 2022 from 10 am to 12 pm
Volunteers will meet up at Shelter #1 in the picnic area. Tools and safety equipment will be provided and refreshments will be served.
Focus will be on trash pick-up and cutting back vegetation on the Bluebell and River trails.
Bring your friends and family and be sure to wear proper attire. Bask in the adulation of fellow nature lovers by sharing your favorite this activity on social media channels with the hashtag #NPLD and #NPSVolunteer!
National Public Lands Day is organized annually and led by the National Environmental Education Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service and other federal and state agencies. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers roll up their sleeves to help restore and preserve public lands of all types and sizes—from iconic national parks and rivers to local urban green spaces and everything in between. National Public Lands Day is special because it provides all lovers of the environment—old and new—an opportunity to show our appreciation for these unique places.
Approximately 6 miles due west of Shenandoah River State Park is nestled the small community of Fort Valley, Virginia. Ms. Con Burch a local piano/voice teacher along with the Fort Valley Museum is looking to spin up a monthly concert series and they’re looking for performers and volunteers. The inaugural open mic is scheduled for FRIDAY AUGUST 19 at 6:30PM at the Fort Valley Museum.
If you are interested in volunteering, performing or have any questions – please email Con Burch at sing2you@shentel.net.
Samuels Public Library is located at 333 E. Criser Road Front Royal Virginia 22630
Adaptogenic Herbs: The nourishing lifestyle herbs that are for EVERYONE!
Virtual Presentation:Thursday, June 9, 2022 – 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Join local herbalist Cadyn Speziale as she discusses the basic principles of the increasingly popular adaptogenic herbs: what are adaptogens, how can they enrich and benefit the lives of ANYONE (seriously, anyone!), spotlights on some herbs that fall under this notable category, and some fun and delicious ways to incorporate them into our daily routines. Cadyn Speziale has woven her background in art and design with a lifelong passion for herbs and wellness into Immortal Mountain, the business she co-founded with her husband in 2012. Drawing from both her years of hands-on experience and formal education in herbalism, Cadyn revels in sharing with her children and others the joys of identifying, harvesting, and preparing herbs for everyday use.
Join us Saturday, June 11th at 10am for a presentation by Mary Olien, who will then lead the group on a Tree ID walk for a fun and interactive experience with our variety of trees both at the library and the park. For Mary Olien, horticulture and education have been the centerpiece of her career. With degrees in horticulture and experience teaching in schools and public gardens, Mary had the background and expertise that led to leadership roles in education at the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy and in management at Green Spring Gardens. Today she guides Green Spring Gardens, five nature centers, two historic sites and a historic farm as operations branch manager Resource Management Division; however, she is always excited to help others learn.
Saturday, June 18th, 2022 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Spending time on the trail offers a world of opportunity for family outings and vacations. Susan Tschirhart, a local hiking expert, will review tips and ideas to plan and implement hikes that engage and stimulate children’s interest in the natural world. List of local family friendly trails and tips will be provided. Register for this event at: https://samuelslibrary.librarymarket.com/index.php/events/family-hiking-program
Fishing On The Shenandoah River
Samuels Public Library White Meeting Room A
Saturday, June 25, 2022 – 10:00am – 12:00pm
Join us on Saturday, June 25 at 10am for this presentation from Herschel Finch, which will provide introductory information on the best fishing spots, fishing equipment and techniques, lures, river safety, and more. Participants will be able to practice fly fishing techniques with special training equipment and actual rods.
This presentation is appropriate for all beginners, including youth and adults. The Shenandoah River offers incredible opportunities for recreation, including fishing. Fishing allows you the serenity of the river, while providing a sporting challenge. Herschel is a local conservation advocate for clean water in our watershed. He is Conservation Chairman-Izaak Walton League of America, Warren Co. Virginia Chapter, Conservation Chairman-Potomac River Smallmouth Club, and a member of the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee for Front Royal. Register for this event online.
Join us for an afternoon of activities designed to introduce Leave No Trace principles to children ages 6 through 12. Through games and conversation we will explore these guidelines that help us reduce our impact on outdoor spaces while we recreate, explore and enjoy them.
Led by avid hiker and Warren County Appalachian Trail Committee co-chair, Susan Tschirhart.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY 2022 at Shenandoah River State Park! –
Shenandoah River State Park will host an all-day BioBlitz starting at 9 a.m. Sunday April 24th at the Massanutten shelter, 305 Daughter of Stars Drive, Bentonville.
A BioBlitz event is a period of intense biological observation to record all living species within a designated area. Participants are encouraged to download their observations to www.iNaturalist.org, where observations will be automatically aggregated to an event-specific project page where people can learn what organisms live in the park.
A food truck will be set up starting at 10 a.m. at the shelter and there will be musical performances by the Feehan Brothers and Mariachi Aguila at 1 p.m. A second introduction will be held at 2 p.m. with park rangers and volunteers available to welcome guests.
The standard parking fee will be waived. Information: 540-622-6840, 540-933-7275 or www.virginiastateparks.gov.
Registration is now open for Shenandoah River State Park’s 2022 Junior Ranger Day Camp. Children ages 7-12 are eligible. The cost for a reservation is $10 per Junior Ranger. Space is limited, so make your reservations early. To reserve a spot or for more information, call the Park Visitor Center at 540-622-6840.
Junior Ranger Day Camp will take place over 4 days. There will be two separate sessions on back-to back weeks. Camp begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon each day.
Session 1 – July 11-14 (Monday – Thursday)
Session 2 – July 18-21 (Monday – Thursday).
The theme for this year’s camp is “Developing Outdoorsmanship Skills.”
Junior Rangers will learn things ranging from planning for camping, how to safely make and break down a campfire, and identifying organisms in nature, to interpreting animal remains, conservation fundamentals and basic first aid. Junior Rangers will also have the opportunity to participate in fun recreational activities like fishing, tubing and hiking.
Picnic Shelter 1 – in our picnic area by the river – will be the meeting place. Pick up and drop off will be at this shelter each day.
SUNDAY APRIL 24th 2022 – ALL DAY EVENT starting at 9AM
This all-day event kicks off with refreshments and a short introduction at the Massanutten Shelter. Then, participants will be free to explore the park at their leisure until we close at dusk. The parking fee will be waived for participants.
A BioBlitz event is a period of intense biological observation to record all living species within a designated area. We encourage everyone with any level of interest and expertise in wildlife to participate; the more the merrier. During this time spring ephemeral wildflowers will be in bloom and a beautiful spectacle to witness, so it’s a great time to just get out and explore the park.
Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist smartphone app (iNaturalist.org) where they will upload their observations. All observations will then automatically be aggregated to an event-specific project page. By following this project page, participants can learn what organisms live in the park. Those without a smartphone are still encouraged to come out and enjoy the park and the wildlife within it.
Shenandoah River State Park, 350 Daughter of Stars Dr., Bentonville, VA 22610. Massanutten Shelter Parking Lot
When
Saturday, January 1, 2022. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join us for our annual hike celebrating the start of 2022!. We are all ready to celebrate a fresh start after dealing with an extended pandemic, so bring your friends, family and leashed pets to Shenandoah River State Park for a hike on the Cottonwood trail.
The Cottonwood trail is about 1.5 miles long without too much change in elevation. The loop at the end of the trail is a raised boardwalk, but the rest can be muddy in wet weather.
The Friends Group will be leading the hike and providing light refreshments in the Massanutten Building.
The parking fee is waived on January 1. Participants should park at the Massanutten Shelter Parking Lot near the start of the Cottonwood Trail.
Don’t forget to bring your mask and practice social distancing.
Are you an animal lover? Do you appreciate incredible photographs? Please join Mary Ladrick, Director of Education, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV), for a presentation about the National Geographic Photo Ark exhibition at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.
The Photo Ark is an ambitious project committed to documenting every species living in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries—inspiring people not just to care, but also to help protect these animals for future generations.
Beginning September 25, The Museum will be hosting an inspiring traveling exhibition that showcases this important project and features the work of National Geographic photographer and Fellow Joel Sartore. Sartore estimates the completed National Geographic Photo Ark will include portraits of over 15,000 species representing several animal classes, including birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. These iconic photo portraits have captured the imaginations of people around the world and have even been projected on the Empire State Building and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
You will not want to miss this presentation at Samuels Public Library and do take time to visit the MSV from September 25, 2021, through February 13, 2022, to view more than 40 of Sartore’s most compelling images. This is our opportunity to come face to face with animals from the National Geographic Photo Ark. Please register for this presentation.
Come learn about this exciting new initiative. The Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail Partnership is an unincorporated coalition of public, private and non-profit organizations along the proposed Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail that have come together with the vision of transforming an unused single-track railroad corridor from Broadway to Front Royal into a multi-use almost 50-mile trail re-connecting communities, businesses, schools and many local cultural and historic resources. Rail corridors are an important part of our near and distant past, with the origins story of this corridor through the Valley dating all the way back to pre-Civil War 1850. As it stands, the right-of-way, in an unused state, is the very worst use of the land and doesn’t honor its past importance in the bordering communities’ vitality. Imagine the corridor rebirthed as a connection between important historic and iconic natural resources and an opportunity to keep its history alive for generations to come. This trail would be first and foremost for our community. Imagine a short, scenic stroll from your backyard to your nearest town for coffee and a local pastry. Or a long, primarily car-free, cycle three towns over for a well-earned lunch. Or if you work close (or even far!), a pedestrian friendly commute.
Friends of Shenandoah River State Park 