Take a break and get some fresh air! Join us on a mid-week hike through Bommer Canyon and Shady Canyon or Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. This program is for those who just want to get out and hike away the stresses of the week. Enjoy the views and a little quiet time in Irvine’s beautiful Open Space Preserve. Several single-track trails, steep climbs and descents are part of the experience. There is over 2200 ft. of climbing elevation accumulated along the route, but it is done with a moderate pace, approximately 3 mph. Distance is 12-14 miles. Bring plenty of water (100 oz. minimum recommended) and wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. We will be meeting at the Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp.

Join OC Park Naturalists as we learn about butterflies! We will go for a short hike to look for butterflies and take an up-close look at the wings of butterflies!
This program is for ages 7 and up. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please wear closed-toed shoes, sun protection, and bring water.
Advance registration required. Please register all participants- including children. Learn more and register here..
The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. This program will begin at the James Dilley Preserve (I-5 or I-405 to 133 south to stop light at 73 toll road; make a U-turn and go 1/2 block. Dilley is on the right). We will meet in the parking lot.
For questions, please email shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com
Please note: Rain or muddy conditions will cancel the program.

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 the Irvine Open Space Preserve, we’ll be in Quail Hill, once part of the historic Irvine cattle ranch. The hike is seven and a half miles with some climbing but rewards you with fantastic views overlooking Laguna Canyon and many Irvine locales. Please bring water, a trail snack, sunscreen, hat and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail. Get your boots out and register to hike the Quail Trail and Shady Canyon singletrack trails.

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, 6.6-mile hike (1,100-ft. elevation gain) over very 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.
Each participant must register individually. Register here. 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: Ridge Park, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Meet at the end of Ridge Park Road/Trail Entrance.

Parking: Free.

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

Join us for a Nature Photo Walk using the amazing camera that’s always with you – your smartphone!

As we walk on the park’s trails, you’ll be guided to slow down, engage your senses and really “see” with your own unique vision. You will learn photographic composition and visual tips, camera settings and explore some amazing shooting and editing applications. You’ll leave with new ideas and artistic tools to create unique photographs and a deeper appreciation and connection with nature.

Space is limited and advance registration is required.

This program is free. Parking is $3 per vehicle on weekdays and $5 per vehicle on weekends.

*Sturdy trail shoes recommended
*Pets are prohibited

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.

Join us on this early morning hike enjoying beautiful Weir Canyon Nature Preserve, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space.  Starting in Irvine Regional Park, we pass through Lower and Upper Weir Canyon to a scenic overlook. We then head down Upper Blind Canyon as we wind our way back to our starting point.  This hike is around 9.5 miles with one significant climb and descent.

Explore Gypsum Canyon Wilderness and hike OC Parks’ newest trails!

Learn about native plants and animals that can be found in the area and take in remarkable views of Gypsum Canyon. This moderate hike on unpaved dirt trails is approximately four miles round trip with 600 feet of elevation gain. We’ll cover many topics including birding, history, geology and native plants while taking breaks to enjoy the views.

Participants should come prepared with water, snacks, sun protection and sturdy walking shoes. Rain or adverse weather conditions will cancel the program. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Advance registration required.

Enjoy a five mile out and back hike to warm up your legs before experiencing a gentle flow yoga practice in nature. The hike is highlighted with a short but steep climb at a medium pace and takes us to a 360 degree view of the Quail Hill neighborhood. 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.

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 Toddler Treks 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 required.

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

Join OC Park Naturalist on an evening walk where we will enjoy the sounds of nature. The sounds of an area can tell us a lot about its ecology, if we listen closely enough. So come enjoy a stroll along Mary’s Trail as we listen to what nature has to say.
This a flat walk at a slow pace. Please wear closed-toed shoes, sun protection, and bring water.
Advance registration required. Please register all participants including children. Learn more and register here..
The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. We will meet at the Nix Nature Center amphitheater near the bathrooms.
For questions, please email shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com
Please note: Rain or muddy conditions will cancel the program.

Experience the serenity of Bommer Canyon during this moderate-paced hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. We’ll experience mature coastal sage scrub and fantastic views overlooking the city of Irvine and the hillsides to the north. This hike is just over 3 miles and includes 700 feet of total climbing elevation with several very steep inclines. The steepest section ascends 300 feet in a quarter-mile. Participants must be in good physical condition and should be able to hike steep hills.

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 year Orange County Fire Watch is proud to host the 2024 Fire Watch Symposium on Saturday, May 4th, on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. The symposium will be located at the Quail Hill Community Center in Irvine, CA. Presenters from the Orange County Fire Authority, OC Parks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, and Fire Watch Network Partners. The symposium will provide information on the upcoming 2024 fire season, Wildfire Awareness,  and program information on OC Fire Watch and the Fire Watch Network.

If you are not able to attend, the symposium this year will be livestreamed on YouTube and recorded for future viewing on the IRC YouTube Channel IRNaturalLandmarks. The video feed will start at approximately 8:30 AM. To receive credit for attending you will need to submit a Fire Watch Online Report and answer the question or two that I mention on the livestream/recording.

If you use the wilderness parks for hiking, biking, photography or just relaxing, Trail Stewardship might be right up your alley! Get up close and personal with the trails you use; you’ll see them in a whole new way. No experience necessary. This is FUN hard work. Whatever your skill level is, there is a job to do: clearing drains to get the water off of the trail, pruning vegetation back to keep users on the trail, moving dirt to rebuild eroded tread, and restoring impacted areas are just some of the tasks we will accomplish. We will be using tools such as loppers, picks, shovels, and McLeods to improve the user experience, protect the fragile habitat and increase the sustainability of our trails. Expect to hike up to 4 miles while carrying tools. Gloves and tools provided.

Please note: For safety reasons, we limit the number of participants for this event. If after you reserve your spot, you realize you cannot attend, please cancel your reservation and/or contact antonio@lagunacanyon.org so that the reservation will be available for another volunteer.

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, please email antonio@lagunacanyon.org for availability.
Each individual adult must sign the liability waiver – provided by the lead volunteers – when they arrive at the event.
Minimum age of 16 years old accompanied by a parent/guardian. If under 18 years old, a waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian, provided at the start of the event.
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: Meadows Trail. Rendezvous at Moulton Meadows Park at the intersection of Balboa and Del Mar.

Meeting location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qS99YykJ5Xmo9sZH7

Black Star Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, offers pleasant introductory trails for beginner hikers and families as well as challenging experiences for seasoned trail users. Designated trails are available for self-guided hiking, biking and equestrian use. A variety of trail loops offer extended exploration throughout the canyons. Take time to explore the local plant communities and beautiful scenery in easy 30-minute walks or take in 7+ miles in a strong cardio trek.

Pre-registration is not required for this event, though it is available on the website. If you need driving directions, use the online registration to receive a map and instructions for getting to the Baker Canyon Staging Area. Parking is limited on Black Star Canyon Road and carpooling is strongly recommended. You will not be required to sign-in upon arrival, though an information booth with trail maps and suggested routes will be available in the staging area.

Black Star Canyon, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, offers pleasant introductory trails for beginner hikers and families as well as challenging experiences for seasoned trail users. Designated trails are available for self-guided hiking, biking and equestrian use. A variety of trail loops offer extended exploration throughout the canyons. Take time to explore the local plant communities and beautiful scenery in easy 30-minute walks or take in 7+ miles in a strong cardio trek.

There is limited space for equestrian parking along Black Star Canyon Road, carpooling is strongly encouraged. Riders must also have the ability to transport their horse to the staging area. It is a “first come, first serve” for trailer parking and therefore early arrival is HIGHLY recommended. Major crowds are typically present at the very start of the event. There are not typical equestrian amenities at the event such as hitching posts, steps to mount your horse or water troughs. Please be sure to time your arrival accordingly so you have plenty of time to enjoy the trails with your horse.  

Join Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks at one of our habitat restoration stewardship events in Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park as we learn and work together to create a healthier habitat for the native plants and wildlife that call the canyon their home. Depending on the time of year, volunteers will assist with various stewardship activities, including removal of non-native plants, seed collection, and/or planting of native plants. No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided. Come out and join the team to help restore the wild lands we all enjoy!

Please note the following safety precautions and protocols:

Pre-registration on lagunacanyon.org/events 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.
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.
Please wear long pants, closed- toed shoes and sun protection, and bring water.
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: Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park Nature Center (28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA, 92677).

Parking: Free for Keep It Wild volunteers!

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

The 26th annual Rancho Days Fiesta returns to Heritage Hill Historical Park! Explore the rich history of Orange County’s rancho era through hands-on activities, crafts, music and dance.

Rancho Days Fiesta will feature a variety of early California hands-on activities, music, piñata breaking, crafts for children, charro horse riding and roping demonstrations, Native American and Folklorico dancing.

Ranger Reserves will assist at the front gate, keeping an accurate attendance count, and patrolling the park as needed. OC Parks Volunteers will assist with craft stations, crowd control, and inside the historical buildings. Please wear your OC Parks volunteer vest and badge and Class C uniforms for Ranger Reserves. Contact karina.pogosova@ocparks.com with any questions.