Friends of Moreau Lake State Park, Inc.

Knitting Circle at the Park drop-in
2026-05-30 11:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
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, 2026-06-30 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.

Retirement Walk for Wise Wanderers
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.

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!

Turtles on Tour
2026-07-01 09:00 - 10:00
Wednesday, July 1st Turtles on Tour @ Campground Playground 9:00am-10:00am
The turtles are going to set up a station at the playground in the camp loops so you can learn all about them and our nature center! This program does not require registration and all are welcome.

Bark Ranger
2026-07-02 11:00 - 14:00
Drop by the nature center for some tips from educators and veterinary technicians on how to bring your dog out into the woods safely and ethically. We will also educate on how to keep your dog safe in the summer heat. Well-behaved dogs on a 6-foot leash or shorter are welcome. No registration required.

Wiggly Wanderers
2026-07-03 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-07-10 09:30 - 10:30
Every Friday year round we will meet at the Nature Center. Wiggly Wanderers is a casual and fun program that is offered to walking toddlers, carriable babies and their caregivers. This is a beginner’s hike/wander series with not too much distance for toddlers who are ready to move and caregivers who are willing and able to baby wear and/or carry their toddler if their legs get too tired. Strollers will not work for these programs. We meet at the nature center parking lot. This program is free and does not require registration, please tell the toll booth operator that you are there for a program.

Movie Night at the Beach
2026-07-03 20:30 - 22:00
Join us for the first movie night of the summer! Movie will be announced closer to the date but will be family friendly! Bring a chair, your favorite blanket, bug spray and a flashlight for afterward. Movie will begin when it gets dark enough. Our concessionaire, The Lemonade Parlor will be open until 9:30pm for dinner/snacks and we will have free popcorn (while supplies last). No park entry fee and the movie is free. Open to all ages of the public AND to our campers! The observatory will be open if the weather cooperates. Well-behaved dogs on a 6 foot or shorter leash are welcome. Registration is not required
Volunteers Needed to help with popcorn and set up – CLICK HERE

Camper Paddle Meet-Up
2026-07-04 09:00 - 10:00
Celebrate Independence Day on the water! Join an educator and fellow campers for a guided paddle around the lake! Participants may bring their own kayak, canoe, or reserve one of six available kayak rentals for the program. Along the way, we’ll explore the lake’s natural history, observe wildlife, and enjoy a relaxing paddle with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Kayak rentals are available for participants ages 18 and older. Participants of all ages are welcome when using their own watercraft and following New York State boating safety regulations. Please register by calling the front office at (518) 793-0511. Limit 15 participants

Reptile Profile
2026-07-05 10:00 - 11:30
Join an educator in the nature center to meet our resident reptiles! We at Moreau take care of seven New York native turtles and two snakes that cannot be released into the wild and are wonderful little educators. Learn about their exciting lives, what they like to eat, and what they use for shell-ter at the Nature Center. This program is for all ages. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Big Bend: Prescribed Burns and Invasive Plant Walk
2026-07-06 10:00 - 12:00
Join an educator 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 wear appropriate shoes and clothing. 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.

Owl Hour
2026-07-07 10:00 - 11:00
The educator will be out and about in the nature center with the Justin and Sam. We will ask the guests sit down and listen to a brief talk about the owls while looking at our beloved owl ambassadors. There will be plenty of time for questions at the end and even some opportunities to take some flash free photos. This is not a drop in program, please do your best to arrive on time. This program is for all ages. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Retirement Walk
2026-07-08 09:30 - 11:00
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 3 miles on uneven surfaces. Please watch the weather and dress appropriately and bring water. The educator leading this hike is not retired, however she looks forward to it someday! Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Friends Kids Craft at the Nature Center
2026-07-08 12:00 - 13:00
Drop-in with the Friends of Moreau Lake State Park at the Nature Center to make a fun craft every Wednesday from July 8th to August 12th. This program is geared toward younger children, but everyone is welcome! This program is free, and no registration is required.

Hudson River Kayak
2026-07-09 10:00 - 11:00
Join some educators to kayak on one of the most historic and biodiverse waterways in NY, the Hudson River! We will meet at the park office and then convoy to Sherman Island boat launch. We have 4 rentals available or bring your own kayak. Limited to 10 paddlers. Please call ahead at 518-793-0511 to register.

Wiggly Wanderers; Growing Explorers
2026-07-10 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for a brand-new extension of our beloved Wiggly Wanderers program! Designed for preschoolers, this short, play-based class introduces little learners to how animals adapt in winter. Children will explore fur, feathers, and other adaptations through simple movement games, hands-on materials, and a brief outdoor peek at the winter world around them.
This class gives young explorers their first step into structured nature learning and connects directly to the New York State Explorers Club, encouraging continued discovery as they grow. This program is free for all ages. No registration necessary.

Birding for All
2026-07-11 09:00 - 10:00
Join an educator for a welcoming and accessible birding program at Moreau Lake State Park. 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.

Hiking Series: Baker to Moreau Overlook
2026-07-12 09:30 - 11:30
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 from Baker Trail to Moreau Overlook. This hike is approximately 3 miles with an elevation gain/loss of about 550 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. This is a free hike and for ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511 and consider carpooling, the trailhead is small and we will need to limit participants!
