Events calendar

Annual Christmas Bird Count at Great Sand Dunes

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Jan 3 7:45 am – 4:00 pm

Birders and nature enthusiasts in the San Luis Valley will join others across the Western Hemisphere to participate in Audubon’s longest-running wintertime tradition—the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC)—at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve...

Fort Open to Plaza Access

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Jan 3 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

The public is invited inside the reconstruction of Bent’s Old Fort, entering through the zaguan gate and into the plaza. Park Rangers will be present to explain the features of the fort and its 20 th century reconstruction. Entry into the...

Fort Open to Plaza Access

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Jan 3 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

The public is invited inside the reconstruction of Bent’s Old Fort, entering through the zaguan gate and into the plaza. Park Rangers will be present to explain the features of the fort and its 20 th century reconstruction. Entry into the...

Garden Walk (West District)

Saguaro National Park

Jan 3 9:15 am – 10:00 am

Join us for a guided walk through the Cactus Garden where you’ll explore the fascinating natural history of the Sonoran Desert! Wheelchair accessible.

The GIANT Cactus (East District)

Saguaro National Park

Jan 3 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Saguaro National Park is famous for its gigantic saguaros. Still, you have to know where to look to find the real giants among giants. Join a ranger for a special off-trail walk to view some amazing examples of our saguaros. This program meets at the...

Mt. Wanda Wellness Walk

John Muir National Historic Site

Jan 3 9:30 am – 11:30 am

How do you make an oak tree laugh? Tell acorn-y joke. Come learn about these ultimate providers of habitat and food. Rangers will lead a hike on January 3, 2026, from 9:30-11:30 am on Mt. Wanda. The hike is 3 miles total on a steep dirt trail. Meet...

Guided Hikes on the Islands

Channel Islands National Park

Jan 3 10:00 am – 11:00 am

On days that the concessionaire boats run to the islands, guided hikes may be offered by national park rangers, volunteers, or concessionaire naturalists. If they are not available to lead hikes, self-guided interpretive trail booklets are available...

Tours of President Johnson's Boyhood Home

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Jan 3 10:00 am – 10:30 am

Daily tours of the Boyhood Home explore Lyndon Johnson's childhood growing up in the rural, 1920s town of Johnson City, Texas. Tours start at the National Park Visitor Center in Johnson City at 100 Ladybird Lane.

Ranger Guided Tour of Mission San José

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Jan 3 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Join our guided walks led by a National Park Ranger at Mission San José.Daily 10:00 am and 11:00 am (weather permitting).Each tour is limited to 50 people. First come, first served daily.San José guided walks begin at the Visitor Center at Mission...

Ranger Talk

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

Jan 3 10:00 am – 11:00 am

The Sand Creek ranger talk explores the events of the mid 1800's and describes some of the social, economic, and political factors that contributed to the Sand Creek Massacre. Please not that this program is a stationary talk, not a walking tour.

Ancestral Sites Trail Guided Walk

Pecos National Historical Park

Jan 3 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Pecos Pueblo sits at the site of a unique ecological and cultural crossroads. Join a park ranger on this tour to lear n a bout the Ancestral Pueblo , Spanish Colonial history, and the importance of this site to communities today . The tour begins at...

Critter Chat

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Jan 3 10:00 am – 10:30 am

Join a ranger for a talk about the unique animals that call this deserrt home!

Ranger Guided Tour of Mission San José

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Jan 3 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join our guided walks led by a National Park Ranger at Mission San José.Daily 10:00 am and 11:00 am (weather permitting).Each tour is limited to 50 people. First come, first served daily.San José guided walks begin at the Visitor Center at Mission...

Guided Tour

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Jan 3 11:00 am – 11:45 am

Take a tour with a Park Ranger to learn more about Bent's Old Fort. Each tour lasts approximately forty-five minutes and begins in the plaza. Tours are limited to fifteen participants and will explore the historic use of the site and the...

Living with Giants (West District)

Saguaro National Park

Jan 3 11:15 am – 12:00 pm

The saguaro celebrates events and faces challenges throughout its life. A biologist explains how it provides shelter and substance for wildlife; when it flowers; its growth patterns; and how it fights for survival against drought, lightning, frost...

Patio Talk

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Jan 3 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm

An interpretive talk that changes daily. Subjects vary broadly, from ethnobotany, mining history, regional culture, and beyond.

Jan 3 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Wagons and cowboys and Hollywood, oh my! On this ranger-guided tour, learn about the Santa Fe Trail and area ranching, with stops at the Trading Post and historic Forked Lightning Ranch House . This tour requires limited walking , but extended...

Garden Walk (East District)

Saguaro National Park

Jan 3 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Join a ranger for a short stroll through the cactus garden located outside of the visitor center to learn about the saguaro cactus and other plants of the Sonoran Desert.

Ranger Program

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Jan 3 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm

Visit the Visitor Center at Mission San José to explore a mission topic with a park ranger.

All About the Organ Pipe Cactus

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Jan 3 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

How big can organ pipe cactus grow? Can you eat their fruit? What role do they play in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem? Have you or someone you know every asked a question like this about the organ pipe cactus? If the answer is yes, then this is the...

Ranger Talk (West District)

Saguaro National Park

Jan 3 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm

Join a park ranger at the Red Hills Visitor Center for a theater presentation about Saguaro National Park’s unique cultural, historical and natural resources. Presentations vary daily depending on the Ranger hosting, but a few popular ones go over...

Sunset Hike (East District)

Saguaro National Park

Jan 3 4:45 pm – 5:30 pm

Hike up the Tanque Verde Ridge trail to get fantastic views of the sunset in the park. This hike is 0.5 miles round-trip on rugged terrain. Water, hiking shoes, and trekking poles are recommended.

Sunset Walk/Talk

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Jan 3 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

A relaxed sunset program, designed for all ages, exploring the plants, wildlife, and people of the Sonoran Desert. Talks change daily; inquire at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for details.

Sea Chantey Sing

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Jan 3 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The Chantey Sing event is for anyone who enjoys singing or taking part in maritime historical culture. Whether you're a fresh landlubber or a seasoned seafarer, all are welcome to join. Sea Chanteys are held on the first Saturday of every month on...

Moonrise over the Mountains

Saguaro National Park

Jan 3 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Come celebrate the first full moon of 2026 at Saguaro National Park! Learn about our designation as an Urban Night Sky Park, then enjoy live flute music as the full moon rises over the Tucson Mountains. Telescopes will also be available for moon...