The Art of Fly Casting
2025-05-18 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
This is a small group fly casting lesson focused on the fundamentals of fly-fishing technique. Participants will practice basic casts and line handling in an open outdoor space. Depending on conditions, we may enter the water for casting practice. Please bring waders if you have them; otherwise, dress appropriately for being on the sandy beach. Please bring your own fly rod, as practice rods are limited. Free and geared toward ages 6+, limited to 5 participants. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Wiggly Watercolors
2025-05-23 10:30 - 11:30
Join us at the nature center for some post-hike painting! We will sit on the deck and paint whatever our little heart’s desire! Free and geared toward ages 0-5. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Moreau Lake Kayak
2025-05-26 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-28 09:00 - 11:00
Join an educator on a peaceful morning paddle around Moreau Lake. You can bring your own kayak, or we have limited kayak rentals and life jackets available for free and are first come, first served. This program is for people aged 18 and older if you need to borrow a kayak or 13+ if you have your own kayak. Limited to 10 participants. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

The Bees are Back
2025-05-26 13:00 - 14:30
This is an educational program focused on honeybees! We will discuss honeybee biology, hive components, pollination, seasonal care, and the basics of setting up and maintaining a small apiary. This is the beginning of a small honeybee series based on Moreau’s apiaries. No bee’s will be involved in this program and will be held indoors or at the pavilion if the weather is accommodating. Free and geared toward ages 10+, but all are welcome. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

(Flower) Pressing Matters
2025-05-31 12:00 - 14:00
Have you ever seen a blossom so pretty you’d like to keep it forever? Us too! Join us at the nature center for guided flower pressing and some craft ideas for our flattened flowers. Open to all ages. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Science of Rainbows
2025-06-01 11:00 - 12:00
What is a rainbow? Why do they appear? How long do they stretch? (Spoiler: they don’t actually have a length) Join a nature center employee to uncover the scientific secrets of rainbows! Open to all ages. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Moreau Lake Kayak and Birding
2025-06-07 09:00 - 11:00
Bring your binoculars and join an educator on a peaceful morning paddle around Moreau Lake and look for birds! Limited rentals are available or bring your own kayak. This program is for people aged 18 and older if you need to rent a kayak or 13+ if you have your own kayak. Please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. Registration is required by calling 518-793-0511, limited to 6 rentals.

Monthly Hiking Challenge
2025-06-08 09:30 - 11:30
Join the monthly hiking challenge where we will explore the wide variety of trails at Moreau Lake State Park, if you make it to all the hikes you will get a prize! This month we will be doing our new Spring Overlook Trail that is approximately 3.2 miles with an elevation gain/loss of about 690 feet. The trails will be muddy so please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes, and trekking poles if you need them. Bring a snack and plenty of water or a lunch for the overlook. As always, we will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead. This is a free hike and for ages 13+. Please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. We have a limit of 25 people, please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Full Moon and Bug Hike
2025-06-11 20:00 - 21:30
Join a park educator and bug expert on a beginner hike and if the clouds cooperate, we’ll get to enjoy the splendor of the full “Strawberry 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 miles on flat terrain. We will also be setting up a station to observe insects and learn about them as we go. Wear the appropriate clothing for muddy conditions. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the Big Bend trailhead. Please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511 the earlier the better as this is a popular program and it fills up quickly.

Community Day at Grant Cottage
2025-06-14 10:00 - 16:30

Birding at Big Bend
2025-06-15 08:30 - 10:30
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. We will meet at the park office and caravan to Big Bend. Big Bend is a great place to bird from beginners to experts. This is free and geared toward ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511. When you arrive, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program

Reptile Profile at Crandall Public Library
2025-06-17 16:00 - 17:00
Follow Moreau Lake State Park’s turtles down the road to Crandall library for a short talk on reptiles! This is free and for all ages. Please register with Crandall Library.

Big Bend Walk
2025-06-19 10:00 - 12:00
Join an educator on this flat hike with great birding and wildlife viewing, and gorgeous views of mountains and the Hudson River. This walk is for all ages, so we will determine how far we will go when we get there (up to 3 miles). Please dress appropriately for the weather with hiking shoes, plenty of water and a snack. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the new trailhead. When you arrive, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. This program is free and for all ages. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Basket Weaving
2025-06-21 11:00 - 13:00
Let’s give new purpose to an invasive plant! Join our nature center employees in a tutorial on weaving your own mini baskets. Geared toward ages 10+ and limited to 15 people. When you arrive, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Volunteer: Invasive Plant Removal Project
2025-06-22 09:00 - 11:00
Come and accompany our educator in starting our monthly invasive pull. We will be learning about our park’s invasives and where the priority areas are. Then we will be pulling invasives so please be prepared with gloves and safety glasses if you have them, as well as clothes and boots that can get dirty. Free and geared toward ages 13+. When you arrive, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Luminary Walk
2025-06-27 20:00 - 22:00
Join us at the park for an illuminated walk down at the beach, the observatory will be open to look at the night sky. This event for all ages. No registration required. **We will have a rain date of Saturday, June 28th.** More information will be posted on our Facebook page in the future. https://www.facebook.com/MoreauLakeStatePark/

Knee High Naturalist
2025-06-30 10:00 - 12:00
This is a nature-themed children’s story time where we’ll read fun, educational books that spark curiosity about the world around us. Designed for our younger friends, each session includes interactive reading with added facts and discussion from the educator. Stories will highlight wildlife, the seasons, conservation, and more, all geared towards inspiring young naturalists. If we are able, we can go on a short walk to apply our new knowledge. Blankets and stuffies welcome! Free and geared toward ages 6+ or if you’re naturalist can listen to a book being read by an educator. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Mud Pond Hike
2025-07-03 09:30 - 11:30
Join an Educator on a beginner 2.1 mile hike from Nature Trail to Mud Pond where we will see some beaver lodges, maybe some water fowl, and lots of Hemlock trees. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather and water-resistant hiking shoes. Bring a snack and plenty of water. This is free and can be for all ages, but be aware of the distance, the up and down terrain and weather. Please reserve your spot 24-hours in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Nature Flow: Morning Stretch and Stillness
2025-07-05 08:30 - 09:30
Start your day grounded and refreshed with a gentle stretching session in the natural beauty of Moreau Lake. Join an educator for a guided experience designed to awaken your body and calm your mind through breathwork, intentional movement, and quiet reflection. This program takes place outdoors, please bring a mat or towel and dress comfortably. This program is free and for ages 6 and older. Limited to 15 participants. When you arrive, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. Registration is required, please register by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Sunday Scenic Paddle
2025-07-06 09:00 - 11:00
Ease into your Sunday with a peaceful morning kayak on Moreau Lake led by a park educator. Limited kayak rentals and life jackets are available for free and first come, first served with 6 rentals available or bring your own kayak. This program is free and for people aged 18 and older if you need to rent a kayak or 13+ if you have your own kayak. Limited to 10 participants. When you arrive, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. Registration: Required, please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Big Bend: Prescribed Burn and Invasive Walk
2025-07-07 10:00 - 12:00
Join an educator and field technician on a walk at Big Bend to talk about the technique of prescribed burns, why we are doing it, and what the future will look like for Big Bend. Prescribed burns are a critical tool in wildfire risk reduction and ecological management and are also being implemented to create a habitat for blue lupine, and subsequently, Karner blue butterflies. We will be taking a walk on the trails so please where appropriate shoes and clothing and we may take some time to pull up some invasives! This is free and for ages 13+. We will meet at the park office and caravan to Big Bend together, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. You must register by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

The Friends Kid's Craft at the Nature Center
2025-07-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-16 13:00 - 14:00
Join the Friends of Moreau Lake State Park at the Nature Center to make a fun craft every Wednesday from July 9th to August 13th. This program is geared toward younger children, but everyone is welcome! This program is free, and no registration is required. You only must pay the entry fee if you are planning on spending the day at the park.

Full Moon Kayak
2025-07-09 20:30 - 21:30
Join a park educator on a leisurely paddle around Moreau Lake. If the clouds cooperate, we’ll get to enjoy the splendor of the full “Buck” moon rising above the mountains. We have very limited rentals so if you need a kayak, so call soon. Meet at the office to check in and then head down to the beach parking lot (not the boat launch). This is a free program and for ages 13+. You must register by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Into the Woods: Exploring Forests around the world - Drop In
2025-07-11 10:00 - 15:00
From boreal forests to kelp forests, forests are some of the most diverse and vital ecosystems on Earth. Join an educator indoors at the nature center for an engaging program that takes you on a journey through forests across the globe. Learn about forest layers, unique plant and animal adaptations, and the critical role forests play for our planet Earth. Drop in at any time between 10 AM and 3 PM at the nature center. This program is free and for all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult. When you arrive, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. Registration not required.

Monthly Hiking Challenge
2025-07-13 09:30 - 11:30
Join the monthly hiking challenge where we will explore the wide variety of trails at Moreau Lake State Park, if you make it to all the hikes you will get a prize! This month we will be doing Lake Bonita to Lake Ann with an elevation gain/loss of about 331 feet. The trails could be muddy so please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes, and trekking poles if you need them. Bring a snack and plenty of water or a lunch for the lean-to. As always, we will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead. This is a free hike and for ages 13+. We have a limit of 25 people, please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Reptile Profile at Crandall Library
2025-07-15 16:00 - 18:00
Follow Moreau Lake State Park’s turtles down the road to Crandall library for a short talk on reptiles! This is free and for all ages. This program has limited spaces, so please register for the program or waitlist on their website: https://crandall.librarycalendar.com/event/reptile-profile-10483

World Listening Day Hike
2025-07-17 10:00 - 12:00
We are celebrating World Listening Day (one day early) in NYS Park’s year of wellness by going on a short “listening” walk. This day is “devoted to understanding the world and its natural environment, societies, and cultures through the practice of listening and field recording.” We are going to open our ears to the sounds of the lake, birds, frogs, the ground beneath our feet, each other, and so much more. We often block out a lot of sounds outside, or put our headphones in to walk, but we are going to embrace the sound to try to understand our world a little more. This program is free and for ages 13+. When you arrive, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program. Registration is required, please register by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Meet Justin the Barred Owl
2025-07-20 09:00 - 11:00
One of our favorite animal ambassadors is back at the nature center! Justin is a barred owl that was rehabbed and non-releasable. We will be showing him off and learning all about these cool raptors. This program is free and for all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
