Free Park Programming

Fall & Winter Programming at Niagara Falls and Niagara Gorge now available
All programming is subject to change.
Unless noted otherwise, registration is suggested but not required, and participation is first-come-first-served.

Be on the lookout for our Pop-Up Education Stations!

 

Goat Island Mini Walk

Where: Niagara Falls State Park
When: Saturdays, December 7, 14, and 21, 2024; 11:30 AM - 12 PM and 2:30 PM - 3 PM

Join us on a mini walk to Stedman's and Porter's Bluff to view all three water falls that make up Niagara Falls without catching a chill! Registration available on EventBrite.com, but not required.

 

Falala Falls

Where: Niagara Falls State Park; Meet at Welcome Center
When: Saturdays, December 7, 14, and 21, 2024; 12 PM - 2 PM

Take a break from the cold and visit the Welcome Center for family fun holiday crafts and an Education Station! No registration required.

 

Woofs and Waterfalls

Where: Niagara Falls State Park; Meet at Parking Lot 3
When: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 2 PM - 4 PM

Enjoy a leisurely evening walk with your dog and a Park Naturalist around Goat Island. It is not necessary to have a dog to participate, however, all dogs must be up to date on immunizations, leashed, and under control. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Winter Scavenger Hunt

Where: Whirlpool State Park
When: Sunday, December 8, 2024; 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Come walk along Trail 2 from Whirlpool State Park to Devil's Hole State Park on a guided scavenger hunt to look for signs of life we can find in the winter! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Snow Tracking at Whirlpool

Where: Whirlpool State Park
When: Sunday, December 15, 2024; 10:30 AM - 12 PM

Join an educator at Whirlpool State Park to learn more about animal tracking and then explore the park and trails for tracks. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Icicle Walk

Where: Niagara Falls State Park
When: Saturday, December 21, 2024; 3 PM - 4:30 PM

Join us for a relaxing walk as we look at the winter decorations offered by nature! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Winter Sensory Walk

Where: Devil's Hole State Park
When: Sunday, December 22, 2024; 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Take a break from the holiday and end of semester stresses by going on a leisurely stroll along Trail 2. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Evergreens

Where: Niagara Falls State Park; Meet at Education Center
When: Sunday, December 22, 2024; 1 PM - 2:30 PM

We will explore some local evergreens to find out how they are pollinated, how to tell the difference between male and female pinecones, and some basic rules of identification. This will be followed by a short walk to find some of these fascinating trees. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

First Day Tails on Trails at DeVeaux

Where: DeVeaux Woods State Park
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025; 10 AM - 11:30 AM

Walk the DeVeaux Woods trails with canine friends. Notice signs of nature and tracks along the way. Stop and talk about old growth forests and a bit of history about the park. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Winter Walk

Where: Fort Niagara State Park
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025; 10 AM - 11:30 AM

Join us for a walk to welcome the New Year along Lake Ontario where we’ll see migrating waterfowl and traverse the trail along the shore. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

First Day Hike

Where: Wilson-Tuscarora State Park
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025; 12 PM - 1:30 PM

Join us on a first day Hike through beautiful Wilson-Tuscarora State Park as we explore it’s old growth forest and stunning views of Lake Ontario. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

First Day Gorgeview Hike

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Freedom Plaza
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025; 12 PM - 1:30 PM

Join us for a walk to welcome the New Year along the Niagara Gorge where we’ll see nature in winter as we take the accessible pathway from Freedom Plaza to Whirlpool State Park and back. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

First Day Hike

Where: Knox Farms State Park
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025; 1 PM - 2:30 PM

Embrace a feeling of renewal as you kick off the year with a refreshing First Day Hike at Knox Farm. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

First Day at the Fort

Where: Fort Niagara State Park
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025; 2 PM - 3:30 PM

Join us for a walk to view the Niagara River, War of 1812 Cemetery, and lighthouse as well as Old Fort Niagara from the parking lot. There will be a tour of the Officer’s Club to view the paintings and visit the museum displays. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

First Day Stroll Along the Gorge

Where: Whirlpool State Park
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025; 2 PM - 4 PM

Ring in the new year by taking a walk along the top of the gorge from Whirlpool State Park to Devil’s Hole State Park and back! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

First Day Hike

Where: Niagara Falls State Park
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025; 3 PM - 4:30 PM

Enjoy the first day of the New Year with your dog at Niagara Falls State Park! Take a leisurely walk from Prospect to Terrapin Point and take in the extraordinary views of all three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Bark Owls

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Saturday, January 4, 2025; 10 AM - 11:30 AM

This craft is a HOOT! Join us in the Education Center for the nature-inspired craft while learning about the different owls found in our region and how to identify them! Materials for craft will be provided. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Wildflower Trivia

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Saturday, January 4, 2025; 1 PM - 2 PM

Escape the cold air and welcome in the new year with thoughts of the colorful petals to come! Relax and play wildflower trivia to learn all about unique flowers and the seasonality of our common blooms. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Fire Starters Inside

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Saturday, January 11, 2025; 10 AM - 11 AM

Join a Park Naturalist inside at the Education Center and learn how to prepare a variety of fire starters to help get your next campfire started easier. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Invasive Species Jeopardy

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Saturday, January 11, 2025; 1 PM - 2 PM

Come one, come all to compete with friends and family alike in a game of invasive species jeopardy. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Mars' Opposition at DeVeaux

Where: DeVeaux Woods State Park
When: Thursday, January 16, 2025; 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Learn a little more about our neighbor the red planet from one of our park educators, and then head outside to get a closer look while Mars is at its brightest in the sky! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Frosty Falls Walk

Where: Niagara Falls State Park
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025; 12 PM - 1:30 PM

Join us for a general walk as we look at the beautiful scenery at the Falls during the winter! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Walk and Talk: Winter Migration

Where: Devil's Hole State Park
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025; 2 PM - 4 PM

Migrate south from Devil’s Hole State Park to Whirlpool State Park and learn about why and how some animals decide to make their own journeys south every year! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Backyard Birds in Winter: How to Help

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Saturday, January 25, 2025; 11 AM - 12:30 PM

Learn how to help our winter birds survive. Find out about what different birds eat, what types of feeders to use, and how to make a pinecone bird feeder. We will also touch on getting ready for spring and using bird houses. All supplies included. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Snowshoe/Winter Hike

Where: DeVeaux Woods State Park
When: Sunday, January 26, 2025; 11 AM - 12:30 PM

Take a winter hike through DeVeaux Woods and learn the basics of snowshoeing with a Park Naturalist. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Frosty Falls Walk

Where: Niagara Falls State Park
When: Saturday, February 1, 2025; 10 AM - 11:30 AM

Goat Island turns into a frosty, frozen world as the temperature drops… but the Falls keep flowing! Join a Park Naturalist to explore these breathtaking, but chilly views! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Nature Jeopardy

Where: Niagara Falls State Park
When: Saturday, February 1, 2025; 1 PM - 2 PM

Come join us for a fun and competitive game of Jeopardy about some of the region’s natural mysteries! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Groundhogs Day

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Sunday, February 2, 2025; 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Celebrate Groundhogs Day with an educator to learn all about our local squirrels, including the largest ground squirrel in North America – the groundhog! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Winter Gulls, Ducks, & Terns

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Saturday, February 8, 2025; 11 AM - 12 PM

A short introduction to some of the winter gulls, ducks, and terns in the Niagara Region, identification, life histories, and some fun facts. We will also cover some of the best viewing spots. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Jeop-Birdy

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Saturday, February 8, 2025; 1 PM - 2 PM

Come join us for a fun and competitive game of Jeopardy revolving around the birds of the Niagara Region! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Miles of Ice

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Saturday, February 8, 2025; 3 PM - 4 PM

Come warm up inside and learn about how glaciers have formed our region and the current state of Earth’s remaining glaciers. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Snowshoe/Winter Hike

Where: DeVeaux Woods State Park
When: Sunday, February 9, 2025; 11 AM - 12:30 PM

Take a winter hike through DeVeaux Woods and learn the basics of snowshoeing with a Park Naturalist. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Winter Photography Walk

Where: Niagara Falls State Park
When: Sunday, February 9, 2025; 2 PM - 4 PM

Join a Park Naturalist for a winter photo stroll through icy Niagara Falls State Park. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Beginner Bird Walk

Where: Niagara Falls State Park
When: Tuesday, February 11, 2025; 4 PM - 5:30 PM

Join a Park Naturalist to learn the basics of birding, with a focus on waterfowl and gulls in preparation for the Birds on the Niagara Festival. Binoculars provided. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Birds on the Niagara - Feathers at Niagara Falls

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Cave of the Winds
When: Saturday and Sunday, February 15-16, 2025; 10 AM - 1 PM

Join a Park Naturalist with a spotting scope at the Cave of the Winds to view the migrating waterfowl on the Niagara River. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Birds on the Niagara - Feathers at Niagara Falls

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Three Sisters Islands
When: Saturday and Sunday, February 15-16, 2025; 10 AM - 1 PM

Join a Park Naturalist with a spotting scope at Three Sisters Islands to view the migrating waterfowl on the Niagara River. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Birds on the Niagara - Feathers on Lake Ontario

Where: Fort Niagara State Park
When: Saturday and Sunday, February 15-16, 2025; 2 PM - 4 PM

Join a naturalist with a spotting scope on the sun lawn in Fort Niagara to view the migrating waterfowl over Lake Ontario! Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

"Lug your Mug" Stroll at the Park

Where: DeVeaux Woods State Park
When: Friday, February 21, 2025; 5 PM - 6:30 PM

Grab your favorite mug or thermos and take a stroll through the cool winter air at DeVeaux Woods State Park. Bundle up and sip some hot chocolate while taking in the views of old growth woods. Weather permitting; adventure will be taken on snowshoes. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Niagara Region Jeopardy

Where: Niagara Falls State Park - Education Center
When: Saturday, February 22, 2025; 1 PM - 2 PM

Come one, come all to compete with friends and family alike in a game of Niagara Region jeopardy. Registration required at EventBrite.com.

 

Winter Stroll Along the Gorge

Where: Whirlpool State Park
When: Saturday, February 22, 2025; 1 PM - 2:30 PM

Take a leisurely stroll along the rim trail from Whirlpool State Park to Freedom Plaza and back to take in the winter scenery and learn some fun facts about the gorge! Registration required at EventBrite.com.