Friends of Moreau Lake State Park, Inc.

Bird Watching at Big Bend
2025-09-24 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
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.

Homeschool Pop-Up: Reptile Profile
2025-09-25 09:30 - 10:30
Join an educator in the nature center to meet our resident reptiles! We at Moreau take care of six 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 geared toward homeschool students, but is open to the public! Please reserve your spot 24 hours in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Wiggly Wanderers
2025-09-26 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-10-03 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-10-10 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-10-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-10-24 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-10-31 09:30 - 10:30
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.

Celebrating Autumn
2025-09-26 11:30 - 12:30
We are in the wonderful season of Autumn as of September 22nd! Join an educator at the nature center to discuss the transformation of the season and leaf color. This program is free and for all ages, please reserve your spot in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Free Fishing Day: Beginner
2025-09-27 11:00 - 12:30
This day is designated by the Department of Environmental Conservation as a free fishing day which means it is the perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time or get back into it without having to apply for a license! This only happens a couple days out of the year, fishing regulations still apply. This is a free beginner fly fishing course with a limit of 10 people ages 13+. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Big Bend Volunteer Invasives Pull
2025-09-28 09:00 - 11:00
Join an educator and field technician on a walk at Big Bend to talk about the technique of prescribed burns, what the future will look like for Big Bend, and pull some invasives with your help! 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 doing light invasive pulling on the trails so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing! Bring gloves if you have your own, we will have some to borrow. This is free and for ages 13+. We will meet at the park office and caravan to Big Bend. You must register by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Hudson River Kayak and Picnic
2025-09-30 08:30 - 13:00
Join educators to kayak on one of the most historic and biodiverse waterways in NY. We will meet at the park office and then convoy to Sherman Island boat launch. We are limited to 3 rentals due to transporting restrictions, we have 10 spots available if you bring your own kayak. Plan on a half day out on the water and bring your own lunch to eat at our turnaround point. 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 reserve your spot in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Homeschool Pop-Up: Indigenous People's Day
2025-10-02 11:00 - 12:30
Join us at the nature center for a homeschool pop-up program exploring the history and meaning of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We will discuss why this day is recognized, learn about the rich cultures and ongoing contributions of Native peoples, and reflect on the importance of honoring Indigenous voices in history. To complement our learning, participants will also make a simple corn husk doll craft. This program is an introduction for homeschool families and is NOT a traditional cultural workshop. Ages 6+. Please call the office at 518-793-0511 to register.

Drop-In Animal Feeding Nature Center
2025-10-04 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-18 09:00 - 11:00
Join an educator at the Nature Center to learn about how and what we feed our animal ambassadors! We have carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores! This is free and for all ages, no registration required.

Nature Block Printing
2025-10-05 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-10-05 11:00 - 12:30
Join us at the nature center to learn a printing technique where we will carve out of rubber or linoleum to make stamps! This is a completely beginner class and for ages 13+. We are limited to 5 registrants per class so please sign up as soon as possible by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Full Moon Hike
2025-10-07 18:30 - 20:30
Join a park educator on a beginner hike and if the clouds cooperate, we’ll get to enjoy the splendor of the full “Hunter 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 the weather. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511 the earlier the better as this is a popular program and it fills up quickly.

Lake Bonita Hike
2025-10-09 09:00 - 11:00
Join a Park Educator on a lovely 1.7 mile hike around Lake Bonita. This hike has some steep parts, some wet parts and many beautiful view of the lake and colorful leaves. Please dress appropriately for muddy conditions. Hiking poles, gaiters and waterproof boots are recommended. Free and all ages are welcome, however do please note the distance when signing up with children. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Sensory Friendly at the Nature Center
2025-10-11 08:00 - 10:00
We are introducing sensory friendly hours to the nature center; we will have low lighting, we will be turning off the aquatic bubblers and running water features, and we will limit access of the nature center to those who would like a quiet and comforting experience to enjoy our animals and nature-themed exhibits. Free and open to all ages, no registration required, just drop-in! Call 518-793-0511 with any questions or preferred accommodations

Scenic Stretch on the Beach
2025-10-12 09:30 - 10:30
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.

Beading Class
2025-10-14 11:00 - 13:00
Join us at the nature center to explore the art of beading with an uncommon natural material, porcupine quills! Participants will learn how to safely prepare and use quills to create either a bracelet or necklace. This beginner-friendly class highlights resourcefulness and finding beauty in materials that might otherwise be overlooked. Ages 13+. Space is limited to 8 registrants, so please sign up as soon as possible by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
Note: Quillwork has deep roots in Indigenous cultures across North America. This program is an introduction to basic beading techniques and is not a traditional cultural workshop.

Homeschool Pop-Up: Bees
2025-10-16 11:00 - 12:00
What is a bee’s favorite flower?…A bee-gonia!
Join an educator at the nature center to talk about how important our bees and pollinators are, learn about their habits, and how sophisticated they can bee! This is free and geared toward homeschoolers 6+, but all are welcome. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Monthly Hiking challenge
2025-10-19 09:30 - 11:30
Join the monthly hiking challenge where we will explore the wide variety of trails at Moreau Lake State Park! This month we will be doing a multi loop trail from Lake Bonita to Waterfall trail to Lake Ann and back to Lake Bonita. This trail is approximately 4.6 miles long with an elevation gain/loss of around 500 feet. The trails can be muddy so please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes, and trekking poles if you need them. Bring plenty of water, a snack and lunch we can eat at the Lake Ann lean-to. 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.

New Moon Through the Observatory
2025-10-20 18:30 - 19:30
Come to the beach to take a view at the dark sky with our telescope. We have a volunteer astronomer to 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. This program is free and for all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Homeschool Pop-Up: Skulls and Pelts
2025-10-21 10:00 - 11:00
Join an educator to learn about the different skull and pelts we have at our nature center. You can tell certain characteristics of the animal just by the different bones! This program is free and geared toward homeschoolers 6+, but all are welcome. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Baker to Moreau Overlook Hike
2025-10-23 09:30 - 11:30
Join an educator on a moderate-hard 2.5 mile hike from Baker Trail to Moreau Overlook with a beautiful view of our lake from above. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather and water-resistant hiking shoes. Bring a snack and plenty of water. We will meet at the park office and caravan to the trailhead. This is a free hike for ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.

Migration Class
2025-10-25 13:00 - 14:00
Join us at the nature center to learn about the incredible journeys animals take during migration! From birds and butterflies to fish and mammals, discover how and why these species travel such long distances and the challenges they face along the way. There will be a hands-on craft and plenty of time for questions and exploration. This program is free and for all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Movie Night
2025-10-26 18:00 - 20:00
We will begin the movie around 6:00pm when it gets dark and will be cancelled for bad weather. We will announce 24-hours in advance whether we are still showing the movie.

Homeschool Pop-Up: Bats
2025-10-30 11:00 - 12:00
Join an educator to learn all about the honorary spooky October mammal, bats! We will talk about how important bats are to the health of an ecosystem and will do a small craft. This program is free and geared toward ages 6+ but all are welcome. All who celebrate Halloween are welcome to wear their costumes to the program! Please register in advance by calling the office at 518-793-0511.
