Needle Felting Garden Scenes
2026-05-10 11:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Wellness Program! Join us at the nature center where we will create a flower garden in landscape format using wool roving and needle felting! Materials provided, ages 10+. Please call 518-793-0511 to register, limited to 10 people.

Poetry in the Park
2026-05-12 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-05-26 10:00 - 11:00
We will be reading and discussing poetry inspired by observations of the natural world, written by poets of varying backgrounds. We’ll explore our own relationships with poetry and literature, and how those can be informed by and grow with connection to nature. Bring your creative spirit, because we’ll be doing some writing of our own! This is a free program. Please register in advance by calling (518) 793-0511.

Retirement Walk for Wise Wanderers
2026-05-13 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-27 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-06-17 09:30 - 11:30
Wellness Program! Maybe you just retired, or have you been for years? This hike is meant to be a nice walk with other retirees who are interested in getting out of the house and stretching their legs. This walk will be about 2 miles on uneven surfaces, snow and ice. Trekking poles and micro-spikes are suggested; we have some spikes we can lend out. Please watch the weather and dress appropriately. The educator leading this hike is not retired, however she looks forward to it someday! Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Homeschool: Presentation Workshop
2026-05-14 11:00 - 12:30
Join an educator for Moreau Lake State Park’s Science Series, designed for homeschool families. Students in grades 1 to 4 (typically ages 6 to 9) will work on creating their own short presentations based on what they’ve learned throughout the series. Participants will choose a topic such as fish, habitats, or pond life and receive guidance on organizing ideas, practicing speaking skills, and building confidence while sharing knowledge about the natural world. This is a free program. Please register in advance by calling (518) 793-0511. Limit 25 per time slot.

Night in the Observatory
2026-05-14 20:30 - 21:30
Come to the beach to take a view of 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.

Birds for All: Birding for Invisible Illness Awareness
2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:00
Join an educator for a welcoming and accessible birding program at Moreau Lake State Park in recognition of International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases. This program is open to all ages and abilities, with a focus on creating an inclusive outdoor experience for individuals living with chronic and invisible illnesses.
This program will take place along the beach area near the Nature Center, with a paved path leading to park benches for bird observation, as well as access to a pavilion if we choose to move locations. Designed to be relaxed and flexible, this experience encourages participants to enjoy the outdoors in a way that feels comfortable for them. This is a free program. Please register in advance by calling (518) 793-0511. Limit 25 participants.

Monthly Hiking Series: Cottage Park Loop
2026-05-17 09:30 - 14:00
Wellness program! Join the monthly hiking series where we will explore the wide variety of trails at Moreau Lake State Park throughout the year! This month we are doing a hard hike on Cottage Park Trail and Western Ridge. This hike is approximately 5.3 miles with an elevation gain/loss of about 900 ft that could take anywhere from 3-4 hours. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes and trekking poles if you need them. Bring a lunch, snacks and plenty of water. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead. This is a free hike and for ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Zen Tangle Drop-In
2026-05-17 10:00 - 14:00
Join us at the nature center for a Zen tangle drop-in. Relax and let natural patterns guide your design process. For all ages, registration is not required.

Big Bend Birding
2026-05-18 08:00 - 10:00
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.

Invasive Plant Species Clean-Up
2026-05-20 09:30 - 11:30
Come join park educators to learn about the impacts of invasive plant species and how you can volunteer to help remove them! Please be prepared with comfortable work clothes and sturdy shoes. We can supply hand tools, work gloves, bug spray, and sunscreen, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. We are so grateful for any help making a dent in the invasive species at Moreau Lake, please join us! The program is for beginners through experts in field work and plant identification and is for ages 13+. Please call 518-793-0511 to register.

Homeschool: Celebration, Optional Presentations & Certificates
2026-05-21 11:00 - 13:00
Join an educator for Moreau Lake State Park’s Science Series, designed for homeschool families. Students in grades 1 to 4 (typically ages 6 to 9) will celebrate all they’ve learned with a fun, interactive trivia game. Participants will also have the option to share their presentations with the group in a supportive environment. All students will receive certificates to recognize their hard work, creativity, and curiosity throughout the series. This is a free program. Please register in advance by calling (518) 793-0511. Limit 25 per time slot.

O-Possum! My Possum
2026-05-22 13:00 - 14:00
What do opossums and poets have in common? They’re both just so misunderstood! Join an educator to learn about the awesome Virginia opossum, try your hand at blackout poetry, and inspect sources of bias in science. Best for ages 8 and up, but all are welcome. This is a free program. No registration required.

Invasive Plant Basket Making
2026-05-24 11:00 - 13:00
We will be making baskets from invasive plants like bittersweet, phragmites, and knotweed and learning about how invasive plants can be detrimental to our environment. We can turn these tenacious plants into useful materials! Ages 13+, please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511, limited to 10 people.

Lake Ann Loop Hike
2026-05-25 09:00 - 12:30
Wellness Program! Join an educator on a loop hike from Lake Bonita to Waterfall Trail to Western Ridge Trail to Lake Ann Trail and back to the Lake Bonita Trailhead. This hike is a moderate-hard hike of 5 miles and can take from 2.5-3 hours and for ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Knitting Circle at the Park drop-in
2026-05-30 11:00 - 14:00
Bring your current project and enjoy a peaceful, social knitting circle in the Nature Center. This informal gathering is open to all skill levels and is a great opportunity to relax, share techniques, and connect with fellow knitters and fiber artists. As the weather warms, we may move outside to the beach to knit or crochet in the fresh air. Participants should bring their own knitting supplies and projects, limited supplies available. This is a free program. No registration required.

Nature Center Closed
2026-05-31 08:00 - 17:00
Our educators are tabling at Wilton Wildlife Festival from 11-3pm, please come visit us at this free event at Wilton Wildlife in Gansevoort!

Family Friendly Back Pond Hike
2026-06-06 09:30 - 11:00
This hike will be roughly 1mile on flat but rooty terrain. Strollers are not an option but lots of children have completed this hike and baby wearing is a great option. We will walk around the back pond of Moreau, this trail leads us over the bridge and past an active beaver lodge. We will make many stops along the way to see what mother nature has to offer us. This hike is free, please call 518-793-0511 to register.

Leaf Color Climb Craft
2026-06-06 11:00 - 12:30
Join an educator for a fun-for-all-ages science experiment! We will be exploring the properties of leaf chromatography and capillary action as we watch colors climb out of leaves! This is a free program. No registration required.

Peaceful Paddle on the Lake
2026-06-07 09:00 - 10:00
Wellness program! Join an educator on a peaceful morning paddle around Moreau Lake. Limited kayak rentals and life jackets are available for free or you can 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. Limited to 5 participants. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Invasive Plant Pull
2026-06-09 09:30 - 11:30
Come join park educators to learn about the impacts of invasive plant species and how you can volunteer to help remove them! Please be prepared with comfortable work clothes and sturdy shoes. We can supply hand tools, work gloves, bug spray, and sunscreen, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. We are so grateful for any help with controlling the invasive plant species at Moreau Lake, please join us! The program is for beginners through experts in field work and plant identification and is for ages 13+. Please call 518-793-0511 to register.

Poetry in the Park
2026-06-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-23 14:00 - 15:30
Wellness Program! We will be reading and discussing poetry inspired by observations of the natural world, written by poets of varying backgrounds. We’ll explore our own relationships with poetry and literature, and how those can be informed by and grow with connection to nature. Bring your creative spirit, because we’ll be doing some writing of our own! This is a free program for ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling (518) 793-0511.

Birding at Big Bend
2026-06-15 08:00 - 10:00

Hiking Series: Stonewall Trail
2026-06-21 09:30 - 11:00
Wellness program! Join the monthly hiking series where we will explore the wide variety of trails at Moreau Lake State Park throughout the year! This month we are doing a moderate level hike at our Stonewall Trail. This hike is approximately 3.5 miles with an elevation gain/loss of about 430 ft. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes and trekking poles if you need them. Bring snacks and plenty of water, we have bug spray and sunscreen to share. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead that is approximately 20 minutes away. This is a free hike and for ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Nature is a Rainbow Pride Walk
2026-06-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-28 11:00 - 12:30
Come join an educator this pride month for a walk to explore the beautiful colors in nature. This is a free hike that will be a short walk of about 2 miles around back pond at Moreau Lake State Park. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511. This program is geared toward the LGBTQIA+ community (ages 18+), but all are welcome!

Birding with Pride
2026-06-28 08:30 - 10:30
Join an educator this pride month for a slow start-and-stop hike to learn about what birds are flying around Moreau Lake State Park. Beginner to expert birders are welcome. We have limited number of binoculars to borrow and have sunscreen and bug spray to share. This program is geared toward the LGBTQIA+ community (ages 18+), but all are welcome!
