Friends of Moreau Lake State Park, Inc.

Nature Center Open Weekends
2025-03-08 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-09 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-14 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-15 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-16 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-21 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-22 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-23 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) and 5 more dates

Full Moon Hike Big Bend
2025-03-12 19:00 - 21:00
Join a park educator on a beginner hike and if the clouds cooperate, we’ll get to enjoy the splendor of the full “Worm 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. We have snowshoes to rent $5 per person if we need them. To reserve your spot call 518-793-0511 the earlier the better as this is a popular program and it fills up quickly.

Mud Pond Hike
2025-03-13 13:00 - 15:00
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.

St. Paddy's Day Needle Felting
2025-03-15 11:00 - 13:00
Leprechauns, fairies, and gnomes oh my! Choose your favorite folktale character and create your own St Patty’s Day plush. Return next week to build them a home! Supplies will be provided. This program is free and geared toward 6+. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Monthly Hiking Challenge
2025-03-16 10:00 - 12:30
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! Our first hike will start off with a fan favorite, Baker to Moreau Overlook. This is a moderate-hard 2.5 mile hike with a beautiful view of our lake from above. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes, trekking poles if you need them, microspikes 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 and caravan to the trailhead. This is a free hike and for people 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

iSpy Something Green
2025-03-17 10:00 - 12:00
Let’s go on a hunt for green, we may see some signs of spring, we may just follow the pines! This is a free hike geared toward ages 6+. Please wear the appropriate clothing for the weather and for a short hike. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Maple Tapping
2025-03-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-30 10:00 - 11:30
Join an educator in the nature center for a quick history of making maple syrup, the process from beginning to end, and if you are able, come on a short walk to see what trees we are tapping! This program is free and for all ages. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Beginner Birding
2025-03-18 09:00 - 11:00
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 reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Starting a Field Journal
2025-03-20 10:00 - 11:30
Join an educator at the nature center to get started on your field journaling journey. We will supply journals, or we can hand make them. We will learn about the importance of recording observations then practice our skills, and go on a short walk if we are able. This is free and geared to ages 13+. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Fairy Houses
2025-03-21 11:00 - 12:30
Are you looking to attract fairy friends to you garden? Come to the Nature Center and build a fairy house with materials that the forest provides (twigs, moss, flowers, leaves, acorns etc). Open to all ages. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

First Signs of Spring Walk
2025-03-22 12:00 - 13:30
The sun is coming out, plants are emerging, and animals are returning from their winter slumbers. Let’s celebrate the changing seasons and look out for signs of spring. Join a Nature Center employee for a guided hike- identifying the common plants and animals that signal the beginning of springtime. Open to all ages, please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Fly Tying 101
2025-03-23 11:00 - 12:30
This fly-tying class teaches participants how to tie two essential trout flies: the Woolly Bugger, a versatile streamer imitating baitfish and leeches, and the Pheasant Tail Nymph, a classic mayfly imitation. The class also highlights the importance of entomology in fly-tying, helping anglers match their flies to the natural insect life cycle for better fishing success. This class is designed for ages 13+. We have a limit of 5 people who can bring their handmade fly home to ensure we have enough, those who make their own will be charged $5 for materials. If you sign up after our 5-person limit you will be able to come and watch. Register in advance by calling our office at 518-793-0511.

Spring Overlook Hike
2025-03-25 10:00 - 12:00
Join an educator on our newer trail up to Spring Overlook. This is a moderate-hard 2.5 mile loop hike with elevation gain/loss of 600 feet. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes, sunscreen, and trekking poles if you need them. Bring plenty of water, snacks and a lunch that we can eat at the overlook. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead. This is a free hike and for people 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Eagle Watch
2025-03-26 09:00 - 12:30
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 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. This program is free and geared toward ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Timberdoodles: all about the American Woodcock
2025-04-05 12:00 - 13:30
The wackiest bird in our area, American Woodcocks, are like a long-beaked kazoo with boogie fever. Join a Nature Center educator to learn all there is to know about this odd local bird. Free and open to all ages. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Woodcock Walk at Big Bend
2025-04-05 19:30 - 20:30
Peeeent peeeeent! In early spring woodcocks perform a beautiful sky dance and vocalize with kazoo-like calls. Come on a guided woodcock walk to see if we can hear these crazy birds. Free and open to all ages. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Match the Hatch: Aquatic Insects vs. Fly Ties
2025-04-06 10:00 - 12:00
This program focuses on how to identify aquatic insects in a river and select the best artificial fly to match local insect activity. By observing insects, learning about insect life cycles, and understanding fish feeding behavior, participants will develop skills to improve their fly fishing success while gaining a deeper appreciation for freshwater ecosystems. This program is free and for ages 13+. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
