Once again, our outstanding Environmental Educators have put together a month of programming for all ages and abilities. Check it out and come to one of the most beautiful and well cared for parks in Upstate New York!
Download Calendar HERE
Download Program Descriptions HERE
Monday, December 1st Beginner Birding at Big Bend 8:30am
Bring your binoculars if you have them and we will check out what birds are around this time of year at Big Bend. This will be a short start-and-stop hike for about an hour and a half. Big Bend is a great place to bird from beginners to experts. This is free and geared toward ages 13+. We will meet at the park office and caravan to Big Bend. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Tuesday, December 2nd Mud Pond Hike 9:00am
Start December off right with this easy hike. We will start at the nature center and take the nature trail out to Mud Pond trail and loop around to the wetland area and visit a beaver lodge on our way back to the nature center. This hike will be about 3 miles. Please sign up in advance and wear appropriate hiking attire. Call 518-793-0511 to reserve your spot.
Tuesday, December 2nd Meet Our Animal Ambassadors 2:00pm
Join an educator to take a tour of our nature center and get to know our animal ambassadors! We will discuss each animal and the story of how they came to us, why we have them, their current needs, and talk about their very specific personalities and behaviors. We have turtles, snakes, and owls, oh my! Please come on time and plan on staying for the duration of the program. Free and for all ages, please sign up by calling 518-793-0511.
Wednesday, December 3rd Wrapping Paper Collage: Recycle & Create 11:00AM
Join a park educator to learn how to recycle and reuse wrapping paper while making colorful collages, gift tags, or decorations. This program is a hands-on way to explore creativity and sustainability. Program is free and for all ages. No registration Required.
Wednesday, December 3rd Full Moon Hike 6:00pm
Join a park educator on a beginner hike and if the clouds cooperate, we’ll get to enjoy the splendor of the full “Cold Moon” rising above the mountains! This hike is free, is family friendly and well-behaved dogs on a 6 foot or shorter leash are welcome. This hike will not go the full 3.5 miles, we will be going closer to 2.5 miles on flat terrain. Wear the appropriate clothing for the weather. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511 the earlier the better as this is a popular program and it fills up quickly.
Thursday, December 4th Homeschool: Take a Hike 11:00am
Join an educator on a Nature Walk where we will talk about winter hiking safety, leave no trace, our park’s resident beavers, the migrating birds, and various tracks we will most likely see. Please dress appropriately for the weather with warm clothes and hiking shoes. If it rains, we will have an indoor program about beavers. This hike will be a 1.5 mile hike around the back pond, not stroller friendly. This is geared toward homeschool students ages 6+ but all are welcome. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Friday, December 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th Wiggly Wanderers 9:30am
Wiggly Wanderers is a casual and fun program that is offered to walking toddlers, carriable babies and their caregivers. This is a beginner’s hike/wander series with not too much distance for toddlers who are ready to move and caregivers who are willing and able to baby wear and/or carry their toddler if their legs get too tired. Strollers will not work for these programs. We meet at the nature center parking lot. This program is free and does not require registration.
Friday, December 5th Winterize Your Boots 11:00-2:00pm
Drop by the Nature Center from 11-2 to learn about conditioning, preparing, and storing boots for winter. Free and for all ages, no registration required.
Saturday, December 6th Friend’s Craft 10:00am-12:00pm
Join the Friends of Moreau Lake State Park for a seasonal craft! Registration is required on the friend’s website, space is limited! www.FriendsofMoreauLake.org
Sunday, December 7th Block Printing Cards & Needling Felting Ornaments 10:00am
Come to the nature center to prepare for the holidays by printing your own holiday card or needle felting your own ornaments! This program is free and for ages 13+. Participation is limited; you must register at least 24 hours in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Monday, December 8th Baker to Moreau Overlook 9:30am
Join an educator on a moderate-hard 2.5 mile hike from Baker Trail to Moreau Overlook with a beautiful view of our lake from above. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes, layers of warm clothes, micro spikes or snowshoes if we need them. We have limited micro spikes and snowshoes to borrow. Bring a snack and plenty of water. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead. This hike is free and for people 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Tuesday, December 9th and 16th Animal Feeding Demo 9:00am
Join an educator at the Nature Center to learn about how and what we feed our animal ambassadors! We have carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores! This is free and for all ages, no registration required, please meet at the nature center at 9:00am.
Wednesday, December 10th and 31st Sensory Hours at the Nature Center 9:00am-11:00am
We are introducing sensory friendly hours to the nature center; we will have low lighting, we will be turning off the aquatic bubblers and running water features, and we will limit access of the nature center to those who would like a quiet and comforting experience to enjoy our animals and nature-themed exhibits. Free and open to all ages, no registration required, just drop-in! Call 518-793-0511 with any questions or preferred accommodations.
Thursday, December 11th Homeschool: Animal Tracks 11:00am
Join an educator at the Nature Center to play an animal matching game, then we will go on a short walk to look for evidence of animals. This program is geared toward homeschool students ages 6-12 years old, but all are welcome. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Wednesday, December 11th Potters Point Hike 1:00pm
This is an off trail wander through a lovely patch of woods that winds along the Hudson River. The hike is short and fairly easy. There is a small wet area, but we navigate around that without too much issue. The view of the Hudson River from the “point” of the hike is always nice to see before we head back into the woods to circle back to the parking area. This hike is for all ages, but not stroller friendly. We will meet at the office and caravan to the trailhead. Please sign up in advance and wear appropriate hiking attire. 518793-0511 to reserve your spot.
Friday, December 12th Pinecone Bird Feeders 11-2
Drop in to the nature center to learn about our winter birds and make pinecone bird feeders! This program is free, and registration is not required. Supplies are limited- first come first served.
Sunday December 14th Hiking Challenge 9:30am
Our last hiking challenge of 2025! What a fantastic year of hikes. You do not have to have attended any other hikes to come to this! This month’s hike is the Nature Trail around the lake. This hike is 3.03 miles with an elevation gain and loss of 200 feet. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes, trekking poles if you need them, micro spikes and snowshoes if you have them. We have limited micro spikes and snowshoes to borrow. Bring a snack and plenty of water. We will meet at the park office. This is a free hike and for people 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511 and let the office know if you can make it to the celebration afterwards.
Sunday Hiking Challenge, December 14th Hiking Challenge Recognition Party 12:00pm
Following our last hiking challenge of 2025 around Moreau Lake, we will be celebrating a wonderful year of dedicated, kind, and fun group of hikers at the Nature Center. Even if you only attended one hike, or plan on attending in 2026 and want to learn more, come join the party! Registration required please call 518-793-0511.
Monday, December 15th Beginner Birding at Big Bend 8:30am
Bring your binoculars if you have them and we will check out what birds are around this time of year at Big Bend. This will be a short start-and-stop hike for about an hour and a half. Big Bend is a great place to bird from beginners to experts. This is free and geared toward ages 13+. We will meet at the park office and caravan to Big Bend. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Tuesday, December 16th Pinecone Science & Evergreen Walk 11:00AM
Discover the secrets of pinecones and evergreens! Join an educator for a short outdoor walk to explore evergreens, learn how they survive the cold and how pinecones disperse their seeds. Back inside, decorate pinecones for a fun winter craft. This program is free and for ages 6+. Please register in advance by calling (518) 793-0511.
Wednesday, December 17th Lake Ann Hike 8:30am
Join an educator on a 4.5 mile hike with an elevation gain and loss of around 330 feet. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes, trekking poles if you need them, micro spikes and snowshoes if you have them. We have limited micro spikes and snowshoes to borrow. Bring a snack and plenty of water. We will meet at the park office. This is a free hike and for people 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511
Thursday, December 18th How to use a Microscope 11:00am and 1:00pm
Step into the microscopic world! Join an educator at the Nature Center for a fun introduction to microscopes, cells, and the tiny life all around us. Kids will learn what a cell is, explore how a microscope helps us see these building blocks of life, and look at prepared slides to spot exciting shapes and structures. This hands-on program is perfect for young learners and homeschool families curious about the unseen world. This free program is for ages 6+. Please register in advance by calling (518) 793-0511. Limit 10 per time slot.
Friday, December 19th “The Christmas Owl” Storytime 10:30am
This program will begin immediately following Wiggly Wanderers and is also open to the public! Sam, the Saw-Whet owl and his friend Rebecca will be reading “The Christmas Owl” a New York Times bestseller! Experience the beautiful story that captivated the country about a little owl, just like Sam, found in the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree. This book was written by Ellen Kalish, the caretaker for the real owl found in the tree. After the story we will talk a little about Sams story and how we can protect owls and migratory birds in simple but meaningful ways. Registration is not required for this story time.
Saturday, December 20th Shrews, Voles, and Moles… Oh My! 11:00am
Join a park educator to learn what happens to our tiny ground-dwelling neighbors during the winter months. Shrews, voles, and moles stay active all season long, each using their own unique strategies to survive the cold. We will explore where they go when temperatures drop, how they find food under the snow, and the important roles they play in our forest and field ecosystems. Program is free and will be for ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling the park office (518) 793-0511.
Sunday, December 21st Walking in a Winter Wonderland 1:00pm
Join an educator on a flat 3.5 mile hike at Big Bend. Please be prepared for the weather with warm clothing, waterproof footwear, water, and a snack. We have limited snowshoes and micro spikes to borrow. We will meet at the park office and caravan over to the Big Bend trailhead. This program is free and for all ages, but please be mindful of the mileage, not stroller friendly, but you can bring a sled to pull just in case! Space is limited, please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Sunday, December 21st New Moon @ the Telescope 5:30pm
Come to the beach to take a view at the dark sky with our telescope, where we have our volunteer astronomer teach us about the stars! If you have a telescope at home that you need help troubleshooting, the astronomer is welcoming people to bring there’s if they have any questions. Dress warm, we will try to have some fire rings near the telescope! This program is free and for all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Monday, December 22nd Eagle Watch 8:30am
Join a park educator on a convoy-style journey along the Hudson River to try to spot our local Bald Eagles. We will be getting in and out of vehicles at a few locations and, with a little luck, viewing the eagles through binoculars and a scope so make sure to bring your hat and gloves! If you have binoculars bring them, we do have a couple of pair to pass around as well. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Monday, December 22nd Meet Our Animal Ambassadors 1:00pm
Join an educator to take a tour of our nature center and get to know our animal ambassadors! We will discuss each animal and the story of how they came to us, why we have them, their current needs, and talk about their very specific personalities and behaviors. We have turtles, snakes, and owls, oh my! Please come on time and plan on staying for the duration of the program. Space is limited, please sign up by calling 518-793-0511.
Tuesday, December 23rd Wild for Life Inc Featuring Bo the beaver 1:00pm &2:00pm
We are excited to host Bo and her bestie Alexis from Wild For Life Inc. Rescue and Rehabilitation. Bo will be showing off her incredible beaver-ness while Alexis shares Bo’s rescue story, her daily care, and why beavers are true environmental superheroes – creating wetlands, supporting biodiversity, and helping countless other species thrive. This program is about an hour long with some time for questions. Bo is NOT available for petting and does require a safe distance, so please prep your children ahead of time. Please come on time and plan on staying for the duration of the program. There will be two sessions, space is limited, sign up for either 1:00pm or 2:00pm by calling 518-793-0511.
Wednesday, December 24th Winter Bird Journaling and Feeder Watch 8:00AM- 3:00PM
Join an educator for a calm indoor activity collaging in your own simple field journal, then use it to observe the birds visiting our feeders outside the Nature Center. After recording our sightings, we will take a short nature walk to compare what we find along the trail. This relaxing program is beginner friendly and a peaceful way to connect with winter wildlife. This program is free and for ages 13+. No registration required.
Wednesday, December 24th “The Christmas Owl” Storytime 10:00am
Sam the saw-whet owl and his friend Rebecca will be reading “The Christmas Owl” a New York Times bestseller! Experience the beautiful story that captivated the country about a little owl, just like Sam, found in the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree. This book was written by Ellen Kalish, the caretaker for the real owl found in the tree. After the story we will talk a little about Sams story and how we can protect owls and migratory birds in simple but meaningful ways. Please be on time for this program, as we do not want to have to restart the book when late comers arrive. This program requires registration, please call 518-793-0511 to register in advance.
Thursday, December 25 Holiday Walk at Big Bend 12:00pm
Join an educator on a flat 3.5 mile hike at Big Bend. Please be prepared for the weather with warm clothing, waterproof footwear, water, and a snack. We have limited snowshoes and micro spikes to borrow. We will meet at the park office and caravan over to the Big Bend trailhead. This program is free and for all ages, but please be mindful of the mileage, not stroller friendly, but you can bring a sled to pull just in case! Space is limited, please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Friday, December 26th Blubber Gloves: How Animals Stay Warm in Winter 11:00AM
Ever wonder how animals survive freezing temperatures? Join us indoors at the Nature Center to explore the science of insulation and blubber! Participants will make “blubber gloves” and test how this natural adaptation keeps animals warm in icy water. This program is free and for ages 6+. Please register in advance by calling (518) 793-0511.
Saturday, December 6th Friend’s Craft 10:00am-12:00pm
Join the Friends of Moreau Lake State Park for a seasonal craft! Registration is required on the friend’s website, space is limited! www.FriendsofMoreauLake.orgSunday, December 28th Appreciating Winter Birds 10:00am
Join an educator at the Nature Center to learn about the birds that stick around our region in the winter. There will be information on how to keep your bird feeders clean to prevent the spread of viruses. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Monday, December 29th Nature Center Detectives 11:00am
Join an educator at the Nature Center to learn about the native animals of New York. There will be pelts you can pet and taxidermy animals to look at, then you will become nature center detectives to find each animal based on our clues and knowledge you learned! If the weather is good, we will be going on a walk to look for tracks! This is free and for all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Tuesday, December 30th Make your own Fossil 11:00AM
Step into the past as we explore how fossils form and what they can teach us about ancient life. Learn the basics of fossilization before creating your own take-home “fossil” using simple, hands-on natural materials. This program is free and great for all ages. Please register in advance by calling (518) 793-0511.
Wednesday, December 31st Eagle Watch 8:30am
Join a park educator on a convoy-style journey along the Hudson River to try to spot our local Bald Eagles. We will be getting in and out of vehicles at a few locations and, with a little luck, viewing the eagles through binoculars and a scope so make sure to bring your hat and gloves! If you have binoculars bring them, we do have a couple of pair to pass around as well. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Thursday, January 1st First Day Hike 2026 11:00am
Ring in the new year with a refreshing first day hike! We will be hiking around the beautiful Moreau Lake starting the hike all together at the park office. There will be a section of the hike that allows people to split off if they want to make it a shorter loop of about 2.1 miles or they can continue on the longer hike of 3 miles, and both will end either at the Warming Hut for treats and refreshments or back at the Park Office’s parking lot. Well-behaved dogs on a 6 foot or shorter leash are welcome. Hikers should bring water and wear appropriate clothes for the weather, waterproof hiking shoes, and micro spikes if they have them. This is a free event and no registration is required!