Knee High Naturalist
2025-05-05 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-30 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.
