upper waypoint

All the Free Nature Events at California State Parks Near You This Week

Head to your favorite state park — or check out a new one — for California State Parks Week.
Families participate in free horseback riding events at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area as part of California State Parks Week in 2025. (Courtesy of California State Parks Week)

From watercolor classes, musical performances and yoga to guided birding, fishing demonstrations and scavenger hunts, dozens of events are on offer this week at California state parks — and they’re all free.

They’re all part of the fifth annual California State Parks Week (June 10-14), when these events — designed for all ability levels — will be held at parks around the state, including several around the Bay Area.

But with such a range of events available, you might appreciate a little help navigating the list. Christen Beckert, interpretive manager for state parks’ Bay Area District, said she is particularly excited about the events that “help us slow down,” like the nature journaling program at China Camp on Saturday and the Sunday forest bathing class at Sugarloaf Ridge.

And if you’re especially looking for more child-friendly events, this year’s family days at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and on Angel Island will have music, dancing, storytelling, arts and crafts and hiking opportunities for all ages.

“I love seeing events that multiple people can be part of, that you can bring your kids out to” – particularly when they’re on the weekend, Beckert said.

Kayakers enjoy an event as part of California State Parks Week in 2024. (Courtesy of California State Parks Week)

Beckert said this year, rather than designate different days to celebrate each of the week’s five themes — centered on exploring new experiences, nourishing your health and well-being, supporting climate resilience, celebrating community and culture and caring for our shared lands — state park leaders have encouraged the parks to be more flexible and schedule their tours for when they might be able to get the most sign-ups, like on weekends.

But this increased accessibility also means that some tours may fill up — so if you’re interested in an event, be sure to sign up right away, she said.

Related Articles

If you’re not sure about what to bring or how to prepare for the event, check the event’s registration page, where all the information you’ll need is listed, Beckert said. One major bonus of this week of events is that many of their more involved excursions, like kayaking and bike tours, also include the equipment rentals for free.

“Our goal is to have it fully accessible for anybody,” she said. “We try and supply everything that we can to make it easier for everybody. We don’t want people to have to spend money.”

One note for your wallet: While the programs themselves are free, be aware that you’re likely to have to pay for parking or entrance fees at certain state parks.

Keep reading for some standout events happening this week as part of 2026 California State Parks Week, or browse the full slate of offerings yourself on the state parks website:

Free events for families

Art at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

When: Saturday, June 13, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

What: Artists’ booths, live demonstrations, local food, craft workshops, art hikes

Registration: Required

The Golden Gate Bridge as seen from Angel Island, California, on March 8, 2019. (Sundry Photography/Getty Images)

Family Day at Angel Island State Park

When: Saturday, June 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What: Music, dance, history, storytelling for the whole family

Provided: Discounted ferry tickets, shuttle and museum entrance

Registration: Required

Free events for budding artists

Plant Tunes at Half Moon Bay State Beach

When: Wednesday, June 10, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

What: Walk and listen to music made by plants (yes, really) and create your own artwork

Provided: Art supplies

Registration: Required

Hikers enjoy sunset at Trojan Point, on the western spur of Mount Tamalpais, on Nov. 21, 2025. (Sarah Wright/KQED)

Watercolor Walk at Mount Tamalpais State Park

When: Thursday, June 11, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

What: 1-mile round-trip nature walk with watercolor painting

Provided: Art supplies

To bring: Sun protection, water, snacks

Registration: Required

Free events for adventure seekers

Kayak Tour at Lake Natoma

When: Wednesday, June 10, 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

What: 2-hour guided kayak or stand-up paddle tour

Provided: Watercraft and equipment

To bring: Sun protection, snack, water (expect to get wet)

Registration: Required, ages 7+ only

Fishing 101 at Delta Meadows Park Property

When: Wednesday, June 10, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

What: Learn to fish responsibly, tie knots and more

Provided: All equipment

To bring: Ages 16 and older need a CDFW fishing license to attend (more info on how to get one and what type to get here). There are no bathrooms on-site

Registration: Required

Bike at Angel Island State Park

When: Wednesday, June 10, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

What: Bike tour around the perimeter of the island

To bring: A bike or rent one on the island; closed-toed shoes, layers, water, sunscreen. Food available for purchase

Registration: Required

Folsom Lake, near its recent low point, in January 2014. (Dan Brekke/KQED )

Horseback Ride at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

When: Friday, June 12, all day

What: Free hour-long horseback rides

To bring: Sun protection, sturdy shoes, water and snacks

Registration: Call Shadow Glen Stables directly to schedule at 916-989-1826

Free events for relaxers

Nature Journaling at China Camp State Park

When: Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

What: A short walk and guided journaling session

Provided: journals, writing utensils, light refreshments

Registration: Required

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in California. (Sundry Photography/Getty Images)

Forest Bathing at Sugarloaf Ridge

When: Sunday, June 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

What: Guided forest meditation

To bring: Layers, comfortable footwear, water, sun protection, snacks

Registration: Required

Free events for people who want to volunteer

Coastal Scrub Restoration Workday at Año Nuevo State Park

When: Thursday, June 11, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

What: You’ll help with brush cutting, sheet mulching and invasive plant removal

To bring: Sunscreen, closed-toed shoes, long pants

Provided: Gloves, tools, training, snacks, water

Registration: Required

People relax outdoors on a sunny day at Half Moon Bay State Beach in Half Moon Bay, California, on May 12, 2019. (Gado Images/Getty Images)

Coastal Dune and Bluff Restoration at Half Moon Bay State Beach

When: Sunday, June 14, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

What: You’ll remove invasives and prepare restored areas for future native plantings:

To bring: Water bottle, closed-toed shoes, sun protection, layered clothing

Provided: Gloves

Registration: Required

Free events for wildlife enthusiasts

The Secret Lives of Mountain Lions at Jack London State Historic Park

When: Thursday, June 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

What: 3-mile hike with stops to discuss mountain lion ecology and conservation

Bring: Water, sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing

Registration: Required

Glen Ellen: Jack London State Historic Park in Napa Valley, California. (Ablokhin/Getty Images)

Birding at Folsom State Recreation Area

When: Wednesday, June 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

What: Explore Black Miners Bar in search of Bald Eagles, Western Kingbirds and more

Provided: Binoculars

Registration: Required

Free events for science lovers

Biodiverse Biomes at Tomales Bay State Park

When: Friday, June 12, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

What: A 1.7- mile moderate hike and tour of local biodiversity

A Bishop Pine at Jepson Memorial Grove, along the Johnstone Trail, at Tomales Bay State Park on Aug. 20, 2024. (Gina Castro/KQED)

To bring: Weather-appropriate layers, sturdy shoes, snacks and/or lunch, sunscreen, water

Registration: Required

Free events for history lovers

California State Symbols Scavenger Hunt

When: Wednesday, June 10, all day

What: Explore the California State Railroad Museum and search for symbols

Registration: Required

lower waypoint
next waypoint
Player sponsored by