Come hang out with us and see the recently re-opened and renovated MacKerricher Visitor Center, featuring a fabulous mural and new garden just outside! Light appetizers and beverages included. This is a FREE, MendoParks event but donations always welcome!

LOCATION: MacKerricher State Park Visitor Center

The State Parks Lifeguards will be hosting a surfer focused rescue training for the local surf community. Surfers of all skill levels are welcome. The event will consist of a presentation, and rescue practice followed by a BBQ. Donations are welcome, but the event is free for all attending. Hang out with us and help keep everyone on our coast safer. A joint State Parks/MendoParks Event!

LOCATION: Russian Gulch State Park Rec Center

Well supported by science/research, functional breathing delivers a variety of benefits to the body and mind. Join Certified Oxygen Advantage Breathing Coach, and Nutritionist & Author Sid Garza-Hillman for this fun, interactive breath workshop. Sid will teach you the physiology and benefits of proper breathing, then lead you through a series of exercises designed to put you on the path to a natural breathing habit (handout included)! Benefits include improved sleep, endurance, stress management and more!

FREE! (donations appreciated – 100% donations go to MendoParks!)

LOCATION: Ford House (back lawn)- 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA 95460

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - director@mendoparks.org or 707.937.4700

Devil's Punchbowl Walk

Russian Gulch State Park
Sundays: 2:00PM - 3:00PM
June 23 - August 18, 2024

Ages: All
Location: Bluff parking lot, past the Upper Picnic Area

Join a California State Park Interpreter and explore the natural and cultural history of this dynamic spot. 

Junior Rangers

Hendy Woods State Park
Sundays: 10:00AM - 11:00AM
June 23 - August 18, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Campfire Center

Activities and guided hikes for our young explorers. Discover the rich history of this park, and the variety of plants and wildlife that call Hendy Woods State Park home.

Campfire Program

Hendy Woods State Park
Saturdays: 8:00PM - 9:30PM
June 22 - August 17, 2024

Ages: All
Location: Campfire Center

Songs, Stories, Games and S'mores! Join in on the family fun around the campfire.

Campfire Program

MacKerricher State Park
Saturdays: 8:00PM - 9:00PM
June 22 - August 17, 2024

Ages: All
Location: MacKerricher Campfire Center, near park Kiosk

Get ready to sing, learn, and snack on S'mores with this fun nighttime program! Visitors will learn about some of the more famous animals of MacKerricher State Park, how global climate change threatens these creatures, and what we can do to help! 

Campfire Story Time

MacKerricher State Park
Saturdays: 6:00PM - 6:30PM
June 22 - August 17, 2024

Ages: All, geared toward K - 3rd grade
Location: MacKerricher Campfire Center, near park Kiosk

Join a California State Park Interpreter to enjoy a crackling campfire while listening to an ocean-themed story book. Visitors will enjoy learning about the ocean, asking questions, and enjoying s'mores after the story. 

Junior Rangers

Hendy Woods State Park
Saturdays: 4:00PM - 5:00PM
June 22 - August 17, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Campfire Center

Activities and guided hikes for our young explorers. Discover the rich history of this park, and the variety of plants and wildlife that call Hendy Woods State Park home.

Junior Rangers

MacKerricher State Park
Saturdays: 1:00PM - 2:00PM
June 22 - August 17, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Laguna Point Parking Area Picnic Tables

Visitors, ages 7 - 12, will join a California State Park Interpreter to learn about the incredible history, plants, and animals that call this park home!

Campfire Story Time

Van Damme State Park
Fridays: 6:00PM - 6:30PM
June 21 - August 16, 2024

Ages: All, geared toward K - 3rd grade
Location: MacKerricher Campfire Center, near park Kiosk

Join a California State Park Interpreter to enjoy a crackling campfire while listening to an ocean-themed story book. Visitors will enjoy learning about the ocean, asking questions, and enjoying s'mores after the story. 

Redwood Ecology Hike

Hendy Woods State Park
Fridays: 3:00PM - 4:30PM
June 21 - August 16, 2024

Ages: All Ages (Children must be accompanied by an adult) 
Location: Day Use Picnic Area

 A ~ 1 mile hike through Big Hendy Grove, visitors will discover the interconnected relationships within the redwood forest that allow this ecosystem to thrive. Learn about how the coast redwoods grow to impressive heights, providing a unique habitat to the plants and wildlife found here.

Junior Rangers

Van Damme State Park
Fridays: 1:00PM - 2:00PM
June 21 - August 16, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Outside of the Van Damme Visitor Center

Visitors, ages 7 - 12, will join a California State Park Interpreter to learn about the incredible history, plants, and animals that call this park home!

Junior Rangers

Van Damme State Park
Fridays: 1:00PM - 2:00PM
June 21 - August 16, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Outside of the Van Damme Visitor Center

Visitors, ages 7 - 12, will join a California State Park Interpreter to learn about the incredible history, plants, and animals that call this park home!

Bird Watching

Hendy Woods State Park
Fridays: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
June 21 - August 16, 2024

Ages: All Ages (Children must be accompanied by an adult) 
Location: Campfire Center

Explore the amazing biodiversity and adaptations of birds found throughout Hendy Woods. Learn several techniques to help identify birds by their songs, coloration and behavior. Binoculars provided.

Stargazing

Hendy Woods State Park
Thursdays: 9:00PM - 10:00PM
June 20 - August 15, 2024

Ages: All ages (Children must be accompanied by an adult)
Location: Meadow Trail

View the wonders of the night sky visible with the help of telescopes. Learn about the planets in our solar system and the many constellations we see throughout summer. Marvel at the sight of deep sky images like star clusters, galaxies, and nebula.

Beach Story Time

Russian Gulch State Park
Thursdays: 5:00PM - 6:00PM
June 20 - August 15, 2024

Ages: All welcome, geared towards K - 5th grade students
Location: Russian Gulch Beach

Grab your favorite beach blanket and join a California State Park Interpreter for a relaxing time on the beach. Listen to the crashing waves while being read a story book about the ocean! After the story time, students will explore the beach with an Interpreter to learn about the underwater wilderness along our shores. 

Junior Rangers

Hendy Woods State Park
Thursdays: 4:00PM - 5:00PM
June 20 - August 15, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Campfire Center

Activities and guided hikes for our young explorers. Discover the rich history of this park, and the variety of plants and wildlife that call Hendy Woods State Park home.

Fern Canyon Hike

Russian Gulch State Park
Thursdays: 2:00PM - 3:00PM
June 20 - August 15, 2024

Ages: All
Location: The hike starts in the campground side of the Russian Gulch Fern Canyon Trail. 

Join a California State Park Interpreter to walk along the scenic Fern Canyon Trail in Russian Gulch State Park. Visitors will learn about the history of the area, along with some of the common plants and animals of the park!

Junior Rangers

Russian Gulch State Park
Thursdays: 11:00AM - 12:00PM
June 20 - August 15, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Outside of the Russian Gulch Recreation Hall

Visitors, ages 7 - 12, will join a California State Park Interpreter to learn about the incredible history, plants, and animals that call this park home!

Night Hike

Hendy Woods State Park
Wednesdays: 8:00PM - 9:00PM
June 19 - August 14, 2024

Ages: All
Location:  Campfire Center

Join a California State Park Interpreter and enjoy a guided hike under the stars to Little Hendy Grove. Note: Advanced registration is required. Sign-up sheet outside the Visitor Center.

Hermit Hike

Hendy Woods State Park
Wednesdays: 4:00PM - 5:00PM
June 19 - August 14, 2024

Ages: All
Location:  Campfire Center

Join a California State Park Interpreter for a short guided hike up to "The Hendy Hermit" huts and learn the story of this elusive character who called this forest home.

Fern Canyon Hike

Van Damme State Park
Wednesdays: 2:00PM - 3:00PM
June 19 - August 14, 2024

Ages: All
Location: The hike starts in the campground side of the Van Damme Fern Canyon Trail

Hike along the Fern Canyon Trail, learning how plants and animals in this thriving riparian community are interconnected. Discover how this watershed changes throughout the seasons and the amazing biodiversity that it supports.

Junior Rangers

Van Damme State Park
Wednesdays: 11:00AM - 12:00PM
June 19 - August 14, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Outside of the Van Damme Visitor Center

Activities and guided hikes for our young explorers. Discover the rich history of this park, and the variety of plants and wildlife that call Van Damme State Park home!

Harbor Seal Information Station

MacKerricher State Park
Tuesdays: 2:00PM - 3:00PM
June 18 - August 13, 2024

Ages: all
Location: Far point of the Laguna Point Boardwalk

Join a California State Park Interpreter to learn about MacKerricher State Park's resident harbor seal population. Binoculars available for use. 

Junior Rangers

Russian Gulch State Park
Tuesdays: 11:00AM - 12:00PM
June 18 - August 13, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Outside of the Russian Gulch Recreation Hall

Visitors, ages 7 - 12, will join a California State Park Interpreter to learn about the incredible history, plants, and animals that call this park home!

Pygmy Forest Walk

Van Damme State Park
Mondays: 3:00PM - 4:00PM
June 17 - August 12, 2024

Ages: All
Location: Van Damme Pygmy Forest, parking area off Airport Rd. 

Visitors will join a California State Park Interpreter to learn about an incredibly unique habitat in Van Damme State Park: The Pygmy Forest. What makes this area unique? Why are the trees so small? Join this guided talk to learn!

Junior Rangers

MacKerricher State Park
Mondays: 11:00AM - 12:00PM
June 17 - August 12, 2024

Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Location: Laguna Point Parking Area Picnic Tables

Visitors, ages 7 - 12, will join a California State Park Interpreter to learn about the incredible history, plants, and animals that call this park home!

Devil's Punchbowl Walk

Russian Gulch State Park
Sundays: 2:00PM - 3:00PM
June 23 - August 18, 2024

Ages: All
Location: Bluff parking lot, past the Upper Picnic Area

Join a California State Park Interpreter and explore the natural and cultural history of this dynamic spot.