Friends of Moreau Lake State Park, Inc.

The Bees are Back
2025-05-26 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
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.

Moreau Lake Kayak
2025-05-26 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.

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.

The Art of Fly Casting
2025-05-18 14:00 - 15:30
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.

Monthly Hiking Challenge
2025-05-18 09:30 - 12:00
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 beautiful Mud Pond trail that is about 2.5 miles long with elevation gain/loss of about 155 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. 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.

Wildflower Walk
2025-05-17 10:00 - 11:30
The capital region environmental educators are hosting a variety of wildflower hikes at their parks for the month of May! Join an educator on a free hike to see our spring wildflowers blooming. This is free and for all ages. Meet at the park office and we will caravan together to Big Bend. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Oh-Possum My Opossum
2025-05-16 11:00 - 12:30
Did you know Virginia Opossums are the only native marsupial in North America? Join a nature center educator to learn the ins and outs of these crazy critters. Free and open to all ages. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Full Moon Hike at Big Bend
2025-05-12 20:00 - 21:30
Join a park educator on a beginner hike and if the clouds cooperate, we’ll get to enjoy the splendor of the full “Flower 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 muddy conditions. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511 the earlier the better as this is a popular program and it fills up quickly.

Home Sweet Comb: Building Bee Hotels
2025-05-11 11:00 - 12:30
Help mom pollinate the garden this Mother’s Day! This program focuses on spring pollinators and the vital role they play in our ecosystems. We will explore the different types of pollinators found in the park, their relationships with native plants, and how to support pollinator populations at home. As part of the program, participants will build their own bee hotel to take home and provide habitat for solitary native bees. Free and geared toward ages 6+, limited to 20 participants. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Needle Felting: Spring Landscape
2025-05-10 13:00 - 15:00
Join us at the nature center to create a beautiful spring landscape from wool. Maybe even give it to a mom in your life for Mother’s Day! Materials will be provided. Geared toward 13+. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Big Bend: Beginner Birding
2025-05-07 08:30 - 10:30
Calling all beginner birders! Bring your binoculars if you have them and we will check out the wide variety of over 100 species of birds that we have identified at our new preserve. This will be a short start-and-stop hike. We will meet at the park office and caravan to Big Bend. Geared toward ages 12+. Please reserve your spot 24-hours in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Discover the Water Cycle
2025-05-05 14:00 - 15:30
This is an interactive educational program on the water cycle, geared toward curious learners age 6+. We’ll explore how water moves through our environment using visual demonstrations and hands-on activities. This program is using Project WET curriculum. This program takes place indoors. Free and limited to 15 participants. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Knee High Naturalist
2025-05-05 11:00 - 12:30
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.

Trail Steward Meeting
2025-05-04 14:00 - 15:30
A meeting to introduce the trail steward program to newcomers. The duties of a trail steward include walking the trails of Moreau Lake State Park to identify and report maintenance needs, light trail maintenance including cutting back branches with supplied hand saws and loppers and hanging trail signs when necessary. This meeting will provide crucial information on what to look for on the trails. Established trail stewards are welcome to come, but it is not mandatory. This meeting is free. ). Park tollbooth fees are waved in lieu of program fees, for questions call the office at 518-793-0511.

Water Fowl Talk
2025-05-04 11:00 - 12:00
Join a nature center educator to learn about ducks and geese you may see in New York State. We will discuss the 10 most common waterfowl in Saratoga County, general diets and behavior, identification tips, and how to support your local waterfowl. Open to all ages. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

I Love My Park Day
2025-05-03 10:00 - 13:00
Join us on May 3 to clean and beautify parks and public lands all across the state–from Montauk to Massena. Volunteering helps preserve the environment, foster community pride, and support the long-term sustainability of New York’s green spaces. Check-in is at 9:30 am, the event starts at 10 and lunch begins around 12:30. Registration is required on the events page: https://reg.resport.io/s/step1.jsp?r=6350488557584384

Meditation in Motion: Labyrinth
2025-05-02 12:00 - 14:00
World Labyrinth Day is May 3rd! As a part of NYS Parks’ Wellness focus this year and May being mental health awareness month, join a nature center educator to learn about meditation in motion and create a simple labyrinth on the beach. Geared toward ages 13+. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Nature Center Open Weekends
2025-04-27 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-26 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-25 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-20 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-19 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-18 10:00 - 15:00

Celebrating Earth Day Hike Lake Bonita
2025-04-27 09:00 - 12:00
Come on a guided hike to appreciate what our planet has to offer. Our Nature Center educator(s) will point out and identify any life we encounter, comment on natural processes at woodland lakes and answer nature questions as we hike. This hike is 2 miles of uneven terrain, please dress appropriately for muddy conditions as well as possible stream crossings. Hiking poles, gaiters and waterproof boots are recommended. Free and geared toward ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Beginning Birding
2025-04-23 08:30 - 10:30
Calling all beginner birders! 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. This is free and geared toward ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Friends Earth Day Road Clean Up
2025-04-22 14:00 - 16:00
meet at the park office parking lot at 1:45, bring gloves and dress for tick prevention!

Stonewall Hike
2025-04-21 10:00 - 12:30
This is a guided hike on a lesser-known moderate trail along the Hudson River with the added interest of logging history and old foundations. This 3.5-mile hike has some steeper parts. We will meet at the park office and will caravan to the trailhead about 20 minutes away. Please dress appropriately for muddy conditions. Hiking poles, gaiters and waterproof boots are recommended. Free and geared toward ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Nature Trail Walk
2025-04-20 11:00 - 13:00
Join an educator on an easy short 1.5 mile walk around the back pond. We will be starting the hike down at the beach. Please be prepared for muddy trail conditions. This hike is not stroller friendly, but well-behaved dogs on a 6ft or shorter leash are welcome. Free and open to all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Phragmites Basket Weaving
2025-04-19 10:00 - 12:00
Let’s give new purpose to an invasive plant! Join our nature center employees in a tutorial on weaving your own mini baskets for Easter, May Day, or to use as a catch-all! Free and open to all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Radical Rabbits
2025-04-18 11:00 - 12:30
Hippity, Hoppity Easter’s on its way! Join a Nature Center educator for a presentation on rabbit diets, ranges, behaviors (like their ability to hop up to 18mph zig zagging from predators), and more! Free and open to all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
