Prepare for an invigorating adventure in the newly opened Gypsum Canyon Wilderness with our Cardio Hike. This 4.5-mile, fast-paced trek is designed to get your heart racing as you conquer 800 feet of elevation gain. Immerse yourself in the pristine wilderness, where you may encounter breathtaking sights and wildlife as you push your limits. This Cardio Hike in Gypsum Canyon Wilderness is tailored for those seeking a heart-pounding, fitness-enhancing adventure in the great outdoors. Whether you’re an experienced hiker looking to challenge yourself or a newcomer eager to explore, this hike promises a dynamic blend of natural beauty, exercise, and possible wildlife encounters. As you ascend and descend the rugged trails, you’ll not only strengthen your body but also nourish your soul with the splendor of nature. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the wilderness and improve your fitness. Join us for an unforgettable journey through Gypsum Canyon Wilderness on our Wilderness Cardio Hike!

Join us every Wednesday night in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. The hike is conducted at an average of 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour. Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes. Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water.

This week in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, we’ll hike in the remote Fremont Canyon. The hike is just under 6 miles and includes a steep hill. We will hike from the mouth of Fremont Canyon, past a historic coal mine, to the Fremont Weather Station. After enjoying a spectacular view, we will hike back the same way to our starting point. Please bring water, a trail snack, sun screen, hat, and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail and wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes.

Spend your morning helping to water and weed within the new butterfly habitat islands in Limestone. With your help we will be able to maintain “islands” of host and nectar plants for butterflies in decline in Limestone Canyon. You will be transported from via a safari style truck from butterfly island to butterfly island through a beautiful oak woodland.

Please be aware this is a Fitness Hike and not for beginners; the pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this difficult, strenuous, and fast-paced, 7.2-mile hike (1050 -ft. elevation gain) over steep, uneven terrain with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers.

Please note the following safety precautions and protocols:

Pre-registration on lagunacanyon.org is required for this event. No walk-ups. Register here.
Each participant must register individually. For group registration or questions, please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org.
Group sizes will be minimized for safety purposes.
Each individual adult must sign the liability waiver – provided by the lead volunteers – when they arrive at the event.
Participants must be at least 16 years old and those younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A waiver, provided on arrival, must be signed by each participant at the start of the program.
Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed hiking shoes, and sun protection.
In an effort to protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill.

Location: Nix Nature Center 18751 Laguna Canyon Rd. Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

Parking: $3/vehicle

Please note: Wet or muddy trail conditions may lead to cancellation of this event.

Join OC Park Naturalists for story time and short hike with your little ones (ages 3-6) as we explore the Willow Staging Area. Our theme of the month is stars!
This program is for ages 3 to 6. Please wear closed-toed shoes, sun protection, and bring water.

Advance registration required. Please register all particpants- including children. Register here..

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. We will meet by the kiosk along the main trail. Follow the signs which say “Little Explorer’s Check In”.

Rain or muddy conditions will cancel the program.

For questions, please email shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com

Join us at our beautiful Native Seed Farm for an all-levels Vinyasa yoga class. This one-hour outdoor yoga class will incorporate both static posture holds and a dynamic sequence of asanas, flowing from one pose to the next, while connecting breath with movement. The practice will include options for modifications, proper alignments and breathing techniques. Increase balance, flexibility, strength, and mental clarity while reducing tension and stress.

Please bring water, a yoga mat, a large towel (optional) to place under your mat, and wear athletic clothing.

Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. This hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve is done at an easy walking pace. This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip to scenic Loma Ridge and back down. Please bring a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

Please join us as we work towards restoring healthy habitat areas at Clark Park. Each month we work together to maintain the native garden by removing invasive plants. We may also sew seeds or expand the garden as conditions permit.

We will meet in Parking Lot H. This activity will take place within one quarter mile from the parking lot. No experience is necessary, and all tools will be provided. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, sun protection, and bring water.
Rain or heat advisory may cancel this event.

Minors aged 16 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times.
Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

For questions, please contact Cultural Resource Specialist sarah.hoemke@ocparks.com at (657)554-7133.

Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Spring? Come help us behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine! Every day at the farm is different; depending on the needs of the farm we will be harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, planting new seeds in the annual plots, working in our native plant demo garden, or tending to younger seedlings in our nursery.

Working with us at the Native Seed Farm is a great way to grow your community and cultivate knowledge about local plant and wildlife! Absolutely no experience or special equipment required! 

Non-native and invasive plant species are invading our native habitat and open spaces. They aggressively compete with our native plants for resources and spreads rapidly once established. Monitoring, management, and removal of these plant species is an important aspect of land management and habitat restoration.

Help us to manage populations of invasive plants and remove them from the habitat. No previous experience is necessary, just a desire to work outside and get dirty! Snake chaps, gloves, and tools will be provided but please feel free to bring your own if you have them. Please wear long pants, long sleeved shirts, close toed shoes, and protective sun protection. Note: This is a wilderness area, there are natural hazards. Snakes, including rattlesnakes, are occasionally seen here.

Enjoy an easy two mile hike to warm up your legs before experiencing a gentle flow yoga practice in nature. The hike is highlighted with views of Irvine, the Tustin blimp hangars and a seasonal pond. The yoga is suitable for those with little or no experience, slower in pace and gentle in practice. Our focus on breath calms the nervous system and has positive effects on mental, emotional and physical health. If you have never done a yoga hike before you will be surprised how connected you feel to nature. Please bring water, your own yoga mat plus a large beach towel, and wear shoes appropriate for hiking on trails.

Drop by Mile Square’s Nature Area for chess, checkers, drawing, and/or water colors on Friday morning from 9 am to 12 pm.

We will provide two chess sets, two checkers set, colored pencils, coloring pages, paper, and water colors as well as water and sunscreen. Feel free to bring your own materials!

We will be stationed on the south side of the Nature Area at the picnic tables. If you are entering the Nature Area from the overflow lot, we will be to the left of the entrance.

No registration required.

This program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle within the park.

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 basic art principles and journal anatomy. Monthly prompts will help guide your eyes and ears to the wonders in nature.

Bring a nature journal 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 up. No experience necessary! We will begin outside of the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. The program and parking are free.

Advance registration required. Rain or adverse weather will cancel the program.

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 the Newport Back Bay.

Our Wild Tales program is offered every Friday from 10:00-11:00am and includes a story time, an age-appropriate hike, and a 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 the preschool level (ages 2-5), but all are welcome to attend. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

Advance registration is recommended. Program and parking are free.

Adverse weather conditions may move the program indoors or cancel it.

As the day starts to settle into night at OC Parks Yorba Regional Park, bats awaken, stir and streak into the evening sky. Come hear fascinating tales of our flying mammals. We will walk along the lake and turn into a forested area where we will watch our nighttime heroes begin their nightly adventures. This program is ideal to visually observe the bats in flight. Be prepared to walk about 1/2 mile. A camping chair brought from home or a seat at a picnic table is welcome as we will spend some time learning about bats before heading out on our bat walk. Please wear closed-toed shoes and assess the evening weather in case you want to bring a light jacket.

Join us for a strenuous, extremely challenging, fast-paced, early morning cardio hike in Limestone Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Along the way we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and possible wildlife sightings.  This is an 8 mile cardio hike, completed in 2.5+ hours, includes a 1000+ foot elevation change. This hike is for experienced, physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of multiple steep climbs and descents. This hike is much faster than a regular walking hike. We average four (4) miles per hour fast-paced and is extremely difficult over steep terrain in the wilderness setting.

*This program will begin outside the Peters Canyon Regional Park Ranger Station and will proceed to the restoration site.*

Calling all weed warriors! Lend a helping hand to help improve native habitat in Peters Canyon Regional Park. Dedicate the morning to weeding current and future restoration sites and help our native plants and shrubs thrive. 

Strong gardening gloves, trail snacks, water, sun protection and wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty are highly recommended.

Program and parking are free. Parking passes will be made available to volunteers at check-in. Be prepared to hike a moderate distance to the restoration site with tools.

Advance registration required.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Spring? Come help us behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine! Every day at the farm is different; depending on the needs of the farm we will be harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, planting new seeds in the annual plots, working in our native plant demo garden, or tending to younger seedlings in our nursery.

Working with us at the Native Seed Farm is a great way to grow your community and cultivate knowledge about local plant and wildlife! Absolutely no experience or special equipment required!