California State Parks Week returns for its fourth year this June 11–15, 2025. With FREE events up, down, and all across the state — including nature journaling, community picnics, horseback riding, forest restoration, and more — there is so much to explore! There are over 170 events to choose from, so sign up now!

California State Parks Week is a weeklong celebration of the amazing diversity of California’s State Park system and the people who visit and help protect these iconic places. Over five days of free in-person and virtual community events, California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, Parks California, and California State Parks Foundation invite you to celebrate the communities and cultures that make California special, explore new adventures and activities in our shared parks, and discover ways to deepen your relationship with parks and the landscapes they protect. 

California’s 280 state parks play a critical role in making our communities stronger, happier, and healthier. California State Parks Week is a fun way to celebrate the wonder and sense of community that the outdoors provides to visitors from all over California and the world.
 

What to Expect 

Each event is unique, but they are all centered around the following themes: Explore New Experiences, Nourish Your Health and Well-Being, Support Climate Resilience, Celebrate Community and Culture, and Care For Our Shared Lands. 

Ready to plan your own personal California State Parks Week agenda? Follow the easy steps below to get registered for fun June 11–15: 

1. Visit castateparksweek.org/event-finder.
2. Choose your adventure! Zoom in on the map to view events near you, filter by event date at the top, or search for specific event topics with the search bar. Curious about birding, for example? Search “bird” in the search bar and find 10 events across the state about birds.

3. RSVP online. Found an exciting event? Click “Full Event Details” and then “RSVP to Event” under the photo on the event webpage. Although you won’t receive a confirmation email, rest assured, we’ve gotten your RSVP!
4. Pack up and prepare. Be sure to review the following information on the event page ahead of your arrival:
5. Exact meetup location — click the X, Y coordinate numbers to the right of the park name to link to Google Maps.
6. What to bring — most events do not require special equipment, but check the event description just in case. It’s always a good idea to bring sun protection and a water bottle.
7. Cost — All events are offered free of charge to the public; however, park entrance, parking, and/or day-use fees may apply. Please check the Day Use Fees page before your event to prepare for any associated fees.
8. Share your experience! Share your experience and stay up to date with the latest exciting park news! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @calparks, and Bluesky @californiaparks, to share a photo or video of your adventure.  

Featured Events at California State Parks Week 2025 

California State Parks Foundation is proud to have distributed grant funding for more than 30 of the events offered at this year’s celebration, some of which are listed below. The events we funded highlight a wide spectrum of activity types, natural ecosystems, and timing to fit busy schedules. Take a scroll and see which events sound most fun to you! 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025 

1. Experience Folsom Lake State Recreation Area from a New Perspective - on Horseback! 
   June 11, 2025, at  9 AM,  10:30 AM,  12 PM,  1:30 PM,  3 PM,  4:30 PM, and  6 PM  
   Enjoy a free guided horseback ride and interpretive tour of Mississippi Bar at Folsom Lake — no experience or gear needed.
   Please note: this event is offered multiple times throughout the day. Be sure you register for the correct time slot. 
    
2. Woven Wonders at Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument 
   June 11  &  June 12, 2025, at 9:00 AM  
   Get a behind-the-scenes look at Hearst Castle textile conservation with lab tours, tapestry talks, and weaving demonstrations.
   Please note: this event is offered on multiple days throughout the week. Be sure you register for the correct time slot. 
    
3. Dive into the fascinating world of the northern elephant seal with Hearst San Simeon State Park
   June  11,  12,  13,  14, &  15, 2025, at 11:00 AM 
   Discover elephant seals’ life cycle and adaptations with hands-on exhibits and a safe, close-up look during molting season.
   Please note: this event is offered on multiple days throughout the week. Be sure you register for the correct time slot. 
    

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025 

1. Come Try Paddling on Lake Natoma at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area!
   June 12, 2025, at  10 AM,  12 PM, and  2 PM 
   Enjoy a free guided paddling tour on Lake Natoma — kayak, canoe, or paddleboard with gear provided and beginner instruction.
   Please note: this event is offered at multiple times throughout the day. Be sure you register for the correct time slot.
2. Wild Things and Climate Resilience at Auburn State Recreation Area
   June 12, 2025, at  11 AM,  2 PM, and  4 PM 
   Enjoy a family-friendly campfire program with rescued animals — learn about wildlife, conservation, and climate change’s impact on habitats.
   Please note: this event is offered at multiple times throughout the day. Be sure you register for the correct time slot.
3. (Virtual) Lake Tahoe’s Underwater Wonders: Exploring Tsunami-Built Boulder Ridges at Tahoe State Recreation Area
   June 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
   Join a live virtual dive at Lake Tahoe — explore underwater geology and interact with expert scuba divers in real time. 
    

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025 

1. Tule Elk Jamboree Art in Parks Festival
   June 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM 
   Join hands-on crafts, meet local artists, and take guided tours — celebrating nature’s connection to creativity.
2. Echolocation Exploration:  Evening Interpretive Bat Walk at Donner Memorial State Park
   June 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM
   Discover the fascinating world of bats through an interactive evening walk featuring live echolocation monitoring, revealing the vital role bats play in the ecosystem.
   Please note: a similar event is offered on a different day of the week. Be sure you register for the correct time slot. 
3. Bolsa Chica State Beach Grunion Run 
   June 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM
   Experience a magical night event with grunion spawning, guided beach viewing, s’mores, photo ops, and a local chef’s cooking demo. 
    

SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2025 

1. Planting For Pollinators at San Clemente State Beach
   June 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM
   Join a stewardship event creating a garden for native plants and monarchs with crafts, stories, art, planting, and pollinator education.
2. Tribal Traditions Event at Crystal Cove State Park
   June 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM
   Enjoy a family day of Indigenous culture with blessings, stories, basket weaving, games, dance, songs, art, and cultural photography.
3. Pollinator Party: Ladybug Picnic at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park
   June 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM
   Celebrate pollinators with live releases, costume parade, crafts, StoryWalk®, and activities by local groups promoting native species and conservation.
4. Sinkyone Wilderness State Park Semicentennial: A 50th Anniversary Celebration!
   June 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
   Celebrate 50 years of the park with exhibits, nature journaling, critter spotting, and hands-on activities at Needle Rock Visitor Center.
5. Echolocation Exploration: A Fireside Bat Talk at Donner Memorial State Park
   June 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
   Gather around the campfire for bat stories, interactive demos, and live call recordings — learn their vital ecosystem role.
   Please note: a similar event is offered on a different day of the week. Be sure you register for the correct time slot. 
    

SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2025 

1. Forest Restoration Volunteer Event at Trinidad State Beach
   June 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
   Join a hands-on restoration effort to protect native ecosystems by removing invasive non-native plants like English ivy in the Sitka spruce forest and coastal scrub areas.
2. Trail to Wellness at Chino Hills State Park
   June 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM
   Refresh your mind and body with guided mindfulness and movement activities, connect with nature, and enjoy craft tables and wellness workshops designed to support your journey toward balance and self-care in a peaceful park setting.
3. Kayak to Connect: Exploring Yurok Culture
   June 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM
   Experience both a Yurok-led kayak tour and a cultural visit to the Chah-Pek’w Visitor Center through guided sessions that highlight the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Humboldt Lagoons State Park.  
    

Sign up today for your favorite events! To register, visit  CAStateParksWeek.org. Want to help spread the love for California's state parks? Share your experience and stay up-to-date with the latest exciting park news! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @calparks, and Bluesky @californiaparks, to share a photo or video of your adventure. 
 

These events — and more! — were made possible through funding from our Trailblazer sponsor Niagara Cares, with additional support from Boeing.