Join Mile Square Regional Park staff and volunteers in enhancing the Nature Area 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 water. Closed-toe shoes and long sleeve shirts are recommended. Tools are provided. Please arrive on time, as the program will begin promptly at 8 a.m.

This is a recurring weekly activity with limited space available. Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

Please park in parking lot H and walk to the volunteer shed west of the overflow lot entrance. Minors age 16 and younger must have a guardian present at all times.

Rain or heat advisories may cancel the program.

Celebrate World Animal Day and join us for a guided painting program to learn more about the animals that call Upper Newport Bay home. We will learn about who lives here year-round and who migrates to different locations throughout year, as well as the best times to spot common critters.

This fun and engaging program will include a brief discussion followed by a guided painting activity. Each participant will paint and take home their own canvas.

No experience required! Participants should wear clothing they don’t mind getting paint on. Art supplies will be provided. We will meet inside the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center.

Minors under age 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. The program and parking are free.

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 us at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center for a fun family Halloween party! We will read spooky stories, make creepy crafts, conduct weird science experiments, meet bizarre animals and play hair-raising games.

Participants are encouraged to attend in costume. 

The event will also feature booths and exhibits from nature-minded community partners including the Orange County Bird of Prey Center, the Environmental Nature Center, and the OC Parks Paleontology department. 

The event and parking are free. Rain or inclement weather will cancel the event.

For more information call (949) 923-2290 or email unbic@ocparks.com.

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 2.5 hours. The bike ride will remain on the paved portion of the trail and will have interpretive stops along the way.

• Length: 10 miles
• Elevation Gain: 155 feet

This program will begin and end at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Participants must provide their own bike and helmet. Minors under age 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.

OC Parks invites you to come and learn more about a spooky eight-legged friend: the terrific tarantula! We’ll learn about the behaviors and habits of tarantulas and where to find them in Orange County.

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

Activities will begin at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for the preschool and kindergarten level (ages 2-6), but all are welcome to attend. Minors under age 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.

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.

This program is geared for ages 12 and older. Minors under age 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. No experience necessary!

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.

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.

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to nurture curiosity and instill a love of the natural world. Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn all about Upper Newport Bay.

Wild Tales is offered every Friday from 10-11 a.m. and includes a story time, age-appropriate hike and themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for ages 2-5, but all are welcome to attend. Minors under age 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 fully indoors.

Advance registration is recommended. Learn more and register here. Registration opens two weeks prior to the program date.

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

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to nurture curiosity and instill a love of the natural world. Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn all about Upper Newport Bay.

Wild Tales is offered every Friday from 10-11 a.m. and includes a story time, age-appropriate hike and themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for ages 2-5, but all are welcome to attend. Minors under age 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 fully indoors.

Advance registration is recommended. Learn more and register here. Registration opens two weeks prior to the program date.

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

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to nurture curiosity and instill a love of the natural world. Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn all about Upper Newport Bay.

Wild Tales is offered every Friday from 10-11 a.m. and includes a story time, age-appropriate hike and themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for ages 2-5, but all are welcome to attend. Minors under age 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 fully indoors.

Advance registration is recommended. Learn more and register here. Registration opens two weeks prior to the program date.

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