Creeks, Fish, Slither & More: Holly River

Learning about creatures that slither or swim, hiking, and bird crafts dominate activities at Holly River State Park from August 3-5, 2023. Join Master Naturalist Jane Birdsong for these nature based activities and traditional recreational pursuits of archery and hiking when visiting Holly River. Activities at Holly River State Park are free to attend and open to the public and our cabin and camping guests.

THURSDAY, August 3, 2023
2 pm – SNAKES: Which 2 are venomous?
Learn to identify WV’s only 2 venomous snakes, with authentic replicas of the Copperhead & Eastern Rattlesnake, and learn how helpful all our reptiles can be. Windy Gap yard

4 pm – CREEK CRITTERS
Wear water shoes or old tennis shoes – we’ll be looking for larvae of insects under rocks & examining them under magnification, talking about their life cycles & learning which ones indicate clean water. Find naturalist Jane in Windy Gap schoolyard down by the creek.

FRIDAY, August 4, 2023
10 am – HIKE HIGH ROCK TRAIL with Naturalist Jane.
Wear sturdy shoes & bring water. A hiking stick or trek poles are also useful. Meet on the office porch @ 9:45 am or at the trailhead bridge below Cabin 9 at 10 am. (1.5 miles/ 2 hours)

2 pm – VERY FISHY
Learn the parts of a fish, fold an origami fish to take home, then feed baby trout in our trout rearing pond. Meet the naturalist in the Old Pavilion. This activity is for all ages. Fun folding paper into fish and then visiting the rearing pond!

4 pm – ARCHERY
Learn to hold a bow, load arrows, target shoot & long shots. Look for the naturalist at the archery range in the game field across from the Holly River State Park office.

7:30 pm – WANDERING MINSTREL
Naturalist Jane will serenade you with old mountain ballads or WV songs or your requests if she knows them. Location: Spruce Campground. Come sing along.

SATURDAY, August 5, 2023
10 am – NATURE CRAFT: Pnut butter Pinecone Bird Feeders
Meet the naturalist in Windy Gap Schoolyard (Balli Shelter if rainy) to make & take home a bird feeder to hang in your yard. All materials provided.

2 pm – TREE ID WALK
Meet on office porch picnic tables, take a stroll around the building to learn a few of our many Holly River trees by their leaf shapes & barks. Take home a rubbing of your favorites.

4 pm – ARCHERY
Learn to hold a bow, load arrows, target shoot & long shots. Look for the naturalist Jane at the archery range in the game field across from the office.

YPP –
Young People for Parks centers on environmental activities that encourage youth of ages 6 – 15 to get outdoors and explore nature. All these programs are FREE & open to the public . Ask the naturalist how to earn a YPP reward.