Come along for the fun, we’re going on a paleo run! Don’t be late, it won’t be drab – we’re going to look for shells and crab!

Join us for a guided tour of the Clark Regional Park hillside fossil bed, followed by a trip to the Interpretive Center. Closed-toe shoes are required due to uneven terrain, and sun protection and water are recommended.

The tour will meet next to parking lot A for a brief introduction. We will then walk north across Rosecrans Avenue to visit the fossil bed. After the hillside exploration we will return to the south side of Rosecrans Avenue and visit the Interpretive Center.

Advance registration is required for all participants. Learn more and register here.

Participants age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle.

Rain or heat advisory may cancel this program.

Nature journaling can be practiced in almost any space and combines observations with insights, questions and connections with the environment around us. It allows us to pay attention to details that might otherwise be overlooked and meditate on their forms and place within the natural world.

This program will begin with an introduction to the basic techniques for beginning and maintaining your nature journal, followed by a warmup activity, then a walk in the park to find a comfortable journaling space. Bring a sketch pad or journal and your own art materials such as pencils, pens or watercolors. A portable chair is recommended along with sun protection, water and snacks.

Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more and register here.

This program will begin at the Interpretive Center. Be prepared to move along the trail a short distance and sit to document the beauty around you.

All ages are welcome and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.

This program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Inclement weather may cancel the program.

Enjoy a morning at Clark Regional Park and learn about the layers of earth beneath our feet! Participants will visit the Interpretive Center, listen to a story and make a sand stratigraphy ornament. Activities are designed for ages 2-6 but all are welcome.

We will meet in front of the Interpretive Center.

Minors age 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

Space is limited; parents must register themselves and each child. Learn more and register here.

This program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Join us as we work toward restoring healthy habitat areas at Clark Regional Park! Learn about native and invasive plants while managing and expanding the garden as conditions permit. 

We will meet in parking lot H and the activity will take place within a quarter mile of the parking lot. No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided. Be prepared to pull weeds, rake, spread seeds, pot or water plants. Please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water.

Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more and register here.

Minors age 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

This program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

For questions, please email sarah.hoemke@ocparks.com or call (657) 554-7133.

Rain or heat advisory may cancel this program.

Come explore the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center and gather with family and friends for a festive morning painting holiday ornaments and learning about our local estuary.

All materials will be provided. You may show up at any time during the two-hour window.

The program is designed for ages 6 and up, but all are welcome. Minors under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

We will meet in the learning center within the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. The program and parking are free.

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is strongly recommended to guarantee supply availability. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.

Join OC Parks for an interpretive bike ride around Upper Newport Bay! Participants will have the opportunity to get their heart rate up and pedal around the Bay, all while learning about local ecology and history.

This moderately-paced ride will cover a 10-mile section of the Back Bay Loop Trail over the course of approximately two hours. The bike ride will take place on the paved portion of the trail with interpretive stops along the way.

This program will begin and end at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Participants must provide their own bike and helmet. Minors under 18 must wear helmets and have a guardian present at all times. 

Program and parking are free. Adverse weather may cancel the program.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.

Join OC Parks and learn more about the only species of deer found in Orange County: the mule deer. We may not spot these critters at Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, but you can find evidence of mule deer in many other County parks. We’ll learn how to identify tracks and scat, and touch and explore the animal’s fur and bones.

This program includes a story time, age-appropriate hike and themed craft.

Activities will begin at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. This program is tailored for the preschool and kindergarten level (ages 2-6), but all are welcome. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

The program and parking are free. Adverse weather may cancel the program or move it indoors.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here. 

For questions, please contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.

Bring your furry friend and join OC Parks staff and volunteers for a dog walk at Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. 

Come enjoy an easy, 3-mile hike over easy but uneven, unpaved terrain with approximately 75 feet of elevation gain. We'll stop along the way to learn about the bay, and discuss ways to keep you, your dog and wildlife safe when out on the trails. 

Please wear closed-toe shoes and sun-protection as needed, and bring water for you and your four-legged friend. 

To ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for all, participants must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Two-dog maximum – Each participant may bring a maximum of two dogs.  
• Behavioral Expectations – Well-socialized dogs that are up-to-date on their vaccines are welcome.
• Leash Requirement – To ensure the safety of other participants and wildlife, dogs must remain on a leash no longer than six feet at all times within the nature preserve.
• Owner Responsibility – Owners are fully responsible for their dog’s behavior and will be asked to closely watch their canine companions.

Adverse weather will cancel the program. The program and parking are free.

Space is limited and advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.

Join Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve staff and volunteers in enhancing the bay’s habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, removing trash and Butterfly Garden maintenance.

No experience necessary. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, snacks and a refillable water bottle. Water and tools will be provided.

Minors ages 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Adverse weather will cancel the program. The program and parking are free. 

Space is limited and registration is highly encouraged. Learn more and register here. Walk-ins are welcome but may be limited due to availability. 

For questions, please contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.

Nature journaling is a wonderful tool to make observations, create lasting memories and foster a deeper connection with nature. Each session will cover the basics of nature journaling, including fundamental art principles and maintaining your nature journal. Monthly prompts will help guide your eyes and ears to the outdoor wonders around you.

Bring a journal or sketch pad and your own art materials such as pencils, pens or watercolors. A portable chair is recommended along with sun protection, water and snacks. Be prepared to move along the trail a short distance and sit to document the beauty around you - no experience necessary!

This program is geared for ages 12 and older. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

The program and parking are free. Adverse weather may cancel the program.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here. 

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401.