08/31/2026
Tar Hollow State Park
Naturalist Programs
Friday, September 4th - Monday, September 7th 2026
All programs are subject to change. Notify the naturalist if special accommodations are needed for your participation. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Friday, September 4th 2026:
4:00pm-6:00pm- Educational Building Open for Exploration!
*Meet Naturalist Amy at the new Educational Building to visit with critters, enjoy hands-on interactive nature activities, leisurely nature puzzle time for kids and adults, Friday night art contest, and so much more!
Movie Time- At Dark- Weekend Movies will be posted at the General Store
Saturday, September 5th 2026:
9:00am- Birds and Butterflies!
*Meet at the PARK OFFICE as we drive to the front of the park to explore our beautiful pollinator field. Late summer wildflowers are popping and the butterflies are out in numbers! Bring your sense of awe and wonder. Nets will be provided. Bring binoculars if you have them.
11:00 am- Amy’s Critters!
*Meet at the NEW Educational Building to get up close and personal with Amy’s favorite Tar Hollow creatures. Learn the real facts about our local reptiles and amphibians. Stick around to touch or hold the real thing with Naturalist Amy.
1:00pm- Creeking Expedition!
Meet at the Educational building to explore a scenic creek ecosystem. We will be in search of crayfish, cool aquatic insects, salamanders, and more. Wear your water shoes. Some nets will be provided.
3:00pm-4:00pm-Educational Building Open for Exploration!
Meet Naturalist Amy at the new Educational Building to visit with critters, enjoy interactive activities, and ask any questions you may have about our local wildlife and/ or the Tar Hollow region!
4:30pm- Firefly Lanterns!
*Meet at the Educational Building to learn all about the magical world of fireflies! Stick around to make a cool firefly lantern out of an old jar. Hear the tales of our firefly friends because you should never outgrow fireflies!
7:00pm- SEASON FINALE ART GALLERY!
*Our Tar Hollow kiddos have been creating artwork all summer long every Friday during our Friday Night Art Contests! Come on down to the Educational Building to see it all displayed. Have some wild edible tea and cookies while you enjoy the art, create some of your own, and vote on your favorite artist!
Movie Time- At Dark- Weekend Movies will be posted at the General Store!
Sunday, September 6th 2026:
11:00am- 12:00pm Archery 101! (for kids)
*Meet at the archery range to learn the tricks of the trade and then get turned loose on our super cool archery range to test your new skills! Recommended for children age 6 and above. All equipment will be supplied.
12:30pm- 1:30pm- Archery 101! (for adults)
*Calling all adults!!!! If you have ever wanted to learn how to shoot a bow or are a seasoned pro that would like to sharpen his/ her skills, meet Naturalist Amy at the archery range to spend some time either learning a new skill or sharpening an old one. All equipment will be supplied.
2:00pm- 4:00pm- Root Beer Floats and Critter Time!!!!
*Meet at the Educational building to enjoy a root beer float for a suggested donation of $3 made special from our Tar Hollow Friend’s Group, then come on into the Ed building to visit with a critter with Naturalist Amy.
5:00pm- Hummingbirds and Monarchs!
*It’s a magical time of the year for cool late summer insects, monarchs, and hummingbirds! Meet at the Educational building to learn all about these magical creatures and create some beautiful keepsakes to take home.
7:00pm- Summer Finale at the Nature’s Kid Zone!
*Calling all our little nature explorers to the Kid’s Nature Zone (at the end of the Ross Hollow Campground) to enjoy a campfire, smores, and stories from a fabulous summer season!
Movie Time- At Dark- Weekend Movies will be posted at the General Store!
Monday, September 7th 2026:
10:00am- Tiny Treasure Time!
*Found a cool feather, fossil, rock, or bone this weekend? Bring your tiny treasures down to the new educational building for further exploration at our microscope station. It’s the perfect wrap up to a fabulous weekend. Naturalist Amy will have some of her own tiny treasures to share!
