Shenandoah National Park Calendar

Skyland
Free to park visitors.

Andrea McGimsey from Sustainability Matters will share how Making Trash Bloom is transforming landfill management by replacing turfgrass with thriving native meadows that support wildlife. This pioneering initiative, currently active at four Virginia landfills, also engages students and volunteers in hands-on data collection and has inspired our newest effort to Make History Bloom at our nation's historic landmarks. She'll also share how Daily EcoTalks on social media, reaching millions, are making sustainability fun, realistic, and accessible to all.

• Presentation held in the registration building.

Skyland

Join us for Easter specials at the Skyland Pollock Dining Room! Special plated menu options will be available as well as our regular lunch menu. Reservations are recommended and require a credit card to hold the reservation.

Departing From Skyland
$175 plus tax per person.

Learn about land navigation in the absence of technology - magnetic compass, topographic map, even the sun! Learn how to find out: where you are, where you're going, and how you're going to get there. Never feel helplessly lost again! Led by Andy Nichols of Shenandoah Mountain Guides.

Reservations are required.

Click the "Learn More" link for full event details and available dates!

Disclaimer: Full payment is taken at booking. 7-Day advance cancellation notice required for full refund. No refund if cancellation inside the 7-Day requirement. Should program be cancelled due to lack of participation or severe weather conditions, 7 day advance notice will be given.

Departing From Big Meadows Lodge
$175.00 per person.

Learn what to do when the "what ifs" of your outdoor adventures turn into the "now whats". This course will teach you the best items to take on any outdoor adventure and how to best use them in a survival situation. This course is designed for all outdoor enthusiasts and focuses on key elements for not simply surviving, but thriving when outdoor adventures turn into challenges. Led by Shenandoah Mountain Guide Andy Nichols.

Reservations required.

Click the "Learn More" link for full event details and available dates!

Disclaimer: Full payment is taken at booking. 7-Day advance cancellation notice required for full refund. No refund if cancellation inside the 7-Day requirement. Should program be cancelled due to lack of participation or severe weather conditions, 7 day advance notice will be given.

Skyland

Make this Mother's Day memorable and join us at the Skyland Pollock Dining Room! Special plated menu options will be available as well as our regular lunch menu. Reservations are recommended and require a credit card to hold the reservation.

Skyland
Free to all park visitors.

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

• "So, You Want To Be An Astrophotographer?" - This engaging presentation will teach the audience basics on how to photograph Shenandoah National Park and the sky while visiting.

Click the "Learn More" link for full details and scheduled topics!

Big Meadows Area
$30 per person.

Hike into the "big meadow" at dusk through the changing colors of the mountain sky and, eventually, the incredible spread of the night sky with its multitude of stars. You'll also look for animal signs and seasonal plants as you explore the ecosystems of the meadows. Led by Andy Nichols of Shenandoah Mountain Guides.

Reservations required. Deposit taken at time of booking.

Click the "Learn More" link for full details and available dates!

Big Meadows Lodge
Free to all park visitors.

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

• "So, You Want To Be An Astrophotographer?" - This engaging presentation will teach the audience basics on how to photograph Shenandoah National Park and the sky while visiting.

Click the "Learn More" link for full details and scheduled topics!

​Big Meadows Lodge
$50 per person.

Brie Austin - Bringing Creativity to Life, One Paint Party at a Time! Brie is the owner and artist behind Austin Acres, a mobile paint party experience that makes creativity accessible and fun for everyone! With years of experience leading engaging, step-by-step painting events, Brie specializes in helping guests of all skill levels create their own masterpiece - no prior painting experience required.

Her events are more than just a class; they are a social, interactive, and stress-free experience where guests can Relax, have fun, and explore their creativity. Brie knows how to keep the atmosphere lively and enjoyable for all.

• Beginners or experienced artists.
• All materials provided to make your own 11" x 14" canvas painting. Seats are limited, so reserve yours today.
• Grab a drink from the New Market Taproom and be sure to arrive 15 minutes early to settle in.
• Minimum of 3 paying for workshop to operate.
• 48-hour notice provided if program cancelled due to minimum not met. Deposit fully refunded.
• No refund if less than 48-hour cancellation notice received by participants.

Skyland
Free to all park visitors.

Sydney Bernard, an environmental educator and researcher, enjoys sharing her love for conservation with others. Sydney first discovered her passion for aquatic ecology when teaching a limnology course at Nature Camp, and continued to pursue the subject in her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. As a research intern and field technician, she assisted with reintroduction of freshwater mussels into the Nolichucky River, where she had the opportunity to use freshwater snorkeling as a research tool. Snorkeling is a wonderful way to identify and study aquatic species while staying active. Some species you may see while freshwater snorkeling are fish, mollusks, and insects. Using the angles of recreation, research, ecotourism, Sydney will communicate the value of freshwater snorkeling in conservation efforts.

• Presentation will take place in the registration building at Skyland.

Big Meadows Area
Free to all park visitors.

National Parks are becoming a refuge for people from city light pollution. Join amateur astronomers as they present a provocative presentation on controlling light pollution as you gaze at the heavenly stars through your binoculars.

Held at the Big Meadows Area (mile 51, outside the Rapidan Camp Gate). Telescopes will be provided, but guests are recommended to bring their own binoculars as well.

Presentation is cancelled if there is inclement weather. Call 540-999-2222 the day of the event to check on its status.

Click the "Learn More" link for full details and scheduled topics!

Big Meadows Area
$30 per person.

Hike into the "big meadow" at dusk through the changing colors of the mountain sky and, eventually, the incredible spread of the night sky with its multitude of stars. You'll also look for animal signs and seasonal plants as you explore the ecosystems of the meadows. Led by Andy Nichols of Shenandoah Mountain Guides.

Reservations required. Deposit taken at time of booking.

Click the "Learn More" link for full details and available dates!

Skyland
Free to all park visitors.

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

• "The Sky IS Falling - Space Rocks and You" - Learn about meteorites and see actual meteorites from Mars, Chelyabinsk, Russia, and the Moon.

Click the "Learn More" link for full details and scheduled topics!

Departing From Skyland
$175 plus tax per person.

Learn about land navigation in the absence of technology - magnetic compass, topographic map, even the sun! Learn how to find out: where you are, where you're going, and how you're going to get there. Never feel helplessly lost again! Led by Andy Nichols of Shenandoah Mountain Guides.

Reservations are required.

Click the "Learn More" link for full event details and available dates!

Disclaimer: Full payment is taken at booking. 7-Day advance cancellation notice required for full refund. No refund if cancellation inside the 7-Day requirement. Should program be cancelled due to lack of participation or severe weather conditions, 7 day advance notice will be given.