Plan Your Free Second Saturdays at Redwood State Parks Visit

JULY 14

9 am: Volunteer with the Trail Crew
Since 1969 the Big Basin Volunteer Trail Crew has helped make it possible for others to safely enjoy the beauty of our park. The Trail Crew meets the second Saturday of each month, rain or shine. A typical workday lasts until mid-afternoon. Please bring your own work gloves, lunch and water. Join us for a unique perspective of Big Basin, a lively and productive experience with others who share a love of these redwood forests, and the satisfaction of participating in a vital part of the park’s ability to educate and inspire the public! Meet at Park Headquarters.

9:30 am-12:30 pm: Coffee Talk and Crafts
Come to the Sempervirens Room next to Headquarters for free coffee or hot chocolate! This is a great way to start your day in Big Basin. A Docent will be happy to answer your questions about the park and help get you going on the right trail. And bring the kids for a fun craft!

10 am: Family Nature Program
Join a Big Basin Interpreter for a 30-minute kids’ nature activity. Family friendly. Meet at our Nature Lodge/Museum.

10:30 am: Meteor Trail Hike
Join a Docent on one of our most diverse hikes—by mountain streams, oak woodlands, chaparral and redwoods. You’ll discuss forests, flowers and fires on a six-mile, 3.5-hour hike. This somewhat strenuous ascent is rewarded with ocean views on a clear day. Bring water, lunch and good hiking shoes. Meet at Park Headquarters.

11 am AND 2 pm: Redwood Grove Loop Walk
How do these grand redwoods grow to be so old? So tall? How are they important to humans? Join us for this fun and informative guided half-mile stroll through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest. Meet the famous Mother Tree, the Father of the Forest and the incredible Chimney Tree on this 90-minute walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Meet at Headquarters.

11-1: ASK US!
Visitor Center Staffed
Do you have questions about Big Basin? Want trail information? Information about the plants and animals you see? Come to the Visitor Center, next to Park Headquarters, to get answers!

12 pm: Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!
Explore the park’s less travelled backcountry with Docent Barry Grimm. This moderately paced hike will be tailored to the group’s interests. Based on group size, experience level and weather conditions, we’ll choose from the many trails that explore the park’s most scenic areas. Meet at Park Headquarters.

3 pm: Junior Rangers
Discover the fascinating secrets of the forest! Explore, practice outdoor skills and play games as you learn about plants, animals, geology, and more. This one-hour program is designed for kids ages 7-12. Sorry parents, this program is for kids only! Please register your child at the Nature Lodge Museum 15 minutes before the program begins. Please be sure your child is dressed for active play in the outdoors.

4:30 pm: Big Basin Nature Club
This fun program is designed for children ages 3-6 and their families. Pretend, play, sing and explore! This half-hour program will introduce youngsters to the wonders of the redwood forest. Meet at the Nature Lodge.

7 pm: Campfire!
Marshmallows: 7-7:30, Campfire: 7:30-8:30
Join us in our historic campfire center for an evening of song and story. Serenade the glittering stars and learn about redwood ecology, creatures of the forest or stories of the park while relaxing in the shadows of the towering trees. Fire lighting and marshmallows (we provide the sticks and marshmallows!) at 7 pm; program begins at 7:30 pm. Wheelchair, stroller accessible. Good dogs welcome!

10 am: Mushrooms of Bothe
Join us on a leisurely hike as we explore the lives of mushrooms in Bothe Park.
Meet at: Redwood Trail, 10am

10 am: Athletic Hike
Interested in redwoods and all of Bothe’s life forms, but still want to move at a fast pace? Then join our last athletic hike of the year!
Meet at: Redwood Trailhead, 10am

Latino Outdoors Hike
Come on a hike at Butano State Park with Latino Outdoors and explore the coast redwoods.
Time: 10am – 1pm
Where: Meet at the parking lot at Butano State Park.

JULY 14 | AUGUST 11
Guided Forest Ecology Walk
Join us at 10:30 am every Saturday (June 9 – September 1st, Labor Day Weekend) for a free Docent-lead Forest Ecology walk at Hendy Woods. Meet at the Day Use Area. Learn about redwood forest ecology, plants, animals and much more on this easy walk. Day Use Fee ($8) is waived for those considering volunteering.

(NOTE: Download a Free Second Saturday Day Use pass while supplies last for July 14 or August 11.)

Save the Redwoods League Guided Hike – Happy Birthday League
Hiking Trail:
Duration/Distance:
Starting Time/Location:
RSVP: COMING SOON (Space is limited, please sign up)

8 am – 11 am: Tidepool Exploration
Duration: While there is no formal start time and visitors may come and go as they please, park rangers will be on site for 3 hours
Meet at: Wilson Creek Picnic Area near False Klamath Cove: ~14 miles south of Crescent City, CA or ~7 miles north of Klamath, CA on U.S. 101.
Join park rangers on the beach to explore tidepools and learn about life under the sea. Wear sturdy shoes that strap on to your feet (no flip-flops or crocs) and be prepared to get sandy and wet!
Contact: Melissa_Lockwood@nps.gov, 707-465-7390

1 pm: Tolowa Nation Honoring and Sharing Dance
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Meet at: Jedediah Smith Day Use Area (marked parking located just east of the Jedediah Smith Campground on U.S. 199 near Hiouchi, CA)
The Tolowa Nation will demonstrate the Ne’-dosh, or world renewal dance, to honor the elders and share Tolowa culture with the community. Dance is an important part of Tolowa culture, meant to renew, balance, and reestablish positive relationships between humans and the earth. It is also one way that traditions are passed on to younger generations. Come share in this celebration of local cultural diversity! Bring blankets or folding camp chairs, as seating is limited. Photography is prohibited during the performance, although dancers may voluntarily pose for photos afterward.
Contact: Brad_Maggetti@nps.gov, 707-465-7399

SEPTEMBER 8 at 12pm

What’s the Point?
Duration: 12-4pm; ~3.5-mile walk/hike
Meet at: Patrick’s Point Visitor Center deck at 12 pm noon, just inside the park entrance station. Parking fees will be waived for participants.
Join Park Interpretive Specialist Nancy Jo Martin for a walking tour of Patrick’s Point State Park highlighting the great variety of recreational, educational, and inspirational opportunities available to visitors, including Sumeg Village, amazing vistas, and camping and day use facilities. All ages are welcome for this ~3.5-mile walk/hike, though portions are considered moderately strenuous and strollers are not advised. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water and a packed lunch to enjoy in the park! Meet at the Patrick’s Point Visitor Center deck at 12 pm noon. No RSVP necessary
Contact: nancy.martin@parks.ca.gov, 707-677-3110

Fungal Fruiting Bodies of the North Coast of California
Duration: approx. 45 minutes
Meet at: Prairie Creek Visitor Center
From colorful waxy caps to spectacular arrays of shelf fungi, our local redwood and other forests are rife with mushrooms and other fungal reproductive structures known as fruiting bodies. This talk by California State Parks volunteer naturalist Jim Webb will cover the fruiting bodies that are most commonly seen along trails in Redwood National and State Parks. Fall is the season to enjoy the show! Contact: Leslie.Reyes@parks.ca.gov, 707-488-2231