Events calendar

Daily Cave Tours

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Sep 25 8:15 am – 3:30 pm

Round trip, with hike time this tour is 3.5 hours. You are in the cave system for for 55-minutes and it walks through Hansen, Middle, and Timpanogos Caves. The caves are connected by two man made tunnels. This tour has Please make sure to read all of...

Fort Open to Plaza Access

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Sep 25 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...

Sep 25 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

As we look ahead to the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decisions in 2029, this exhibit reflects on how these annual milestones have been commemorated over time, and asks: Where Next? Featuring items from past...

Alpine Ranger Rove

Great Basin National Park

Sep 25 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Exploring the Alpine Lakes Loop or Bristlecone trails? From 9am to 3pm, keep your eye out for a friendly ranger ready to chat about Great Basin's spectacular high country. Occurs daily, staff and weather permitting.

Introduction to Caving Tour

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Sep 25 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

The ranger-led tour spends 1.5 hours in the cave and introduces visitors to low-impact caving skills, safety and etiquette. With a helmet and headlamp you are ready to experience Hansen Cave in its natural state. You will scramble over boulders and...

Ranger Guided Tour of Mission San José

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Sep 25 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

Sep 25 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...

Quarai Ranger-Guided Hikes

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Sep 25 11:00 am – 11:45 am

Join our park rangers for a guided hike at Quarai every Friday at 11:00 a.m. These 45‑minute walks are open to everyone — no reservation needed. Bring plenty of water, pack a snack, wear sturdy shoes, and dress for the weather. Along the way, rangers...

Bristlecone Ranger Chat

Great Basin National Park

Sep 25 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Curious about Great Basin's alpine country? Anytime from 11am to noon each day, find a ranger in the Wheeler Peak Bristlecone Grove for an informal chat where you can ask about the trees, the animals, and other aspects of the higher elevations of the...

Autumn Garden Talk

John Muir National Historic Site

Sep 25 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Come by and ask a groundskeeper about preparing your garden for the upcoming fall season. We will discuss non-native and native crops, good harvesting practices, and places to explore this time of year. Details: Distance: 300 yards, one hill but...

AM Visitor Center Ranger Talk

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Sep 25 11:15 am – 11:45 am

Explore a variety of topics about Great Sand Dunes. Topics posted at visitor center lobby bulletin board. (20 minutes)

Living with Giants (West District)

Saguaro National Park

Sep 25 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...

Sep 25 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

The exhibit commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Anza expedition by exploring both the expedition itself and the environment the settlers found when they arrived in Monterey. Panels discuss the founding of Monterey, early buildings and...

Monroe School Architectural Tour

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

Sep 25 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Learn about Topeka’s historic Monroe School through a free, one-hour guided tour at Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park! Tours highlight the building’s architecture, architect Thomas W. Williamson, and history, and include a visit to...

Solar Viewing at the Visitor Center

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Sep 25 1:00 pm – 3:45 pm

Join us for a safe and fascinating look at the sun! Stop by the Visitor Center anytime between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to view the sun through a specially equipped telescope and learn more about our closest star. All ages welcome. No registration...

Sep 25 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...

Lehman Caves Visitor Center Porch Talk

Great Basin National Park

Sep 25 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Join a park ranger on the Lehman Caves Visitor Center porch for a fun and interactive program on a wide variety of Great Basin topics - wildfire, wildlife, wild caves, and more. Check the information board or at the visitor center information desk...

Visit the Show Barn and meet a Hereford

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Sep 25 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Meet a park ranger at the Show Barn and get up close and personal with members of the historic Hereford cattle herd. Learn about Lyndon Johnson's ranching history and enjoy the view from the highest point on the LBJ Ranch driving tour route.

Ranger's Choice Talk

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Sep 25 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Join a park ranger to explore one of the fascinating stories of Black Canyon, from human history to plants to wildlife. Meet at Pulpit Rock Overlook at 2:00 pm. 20-30 minutes. Location subject to change. May be cancelled due to staffing shortages or...

Mission Espada Looming Demonstration Program

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Sep 25 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm

Join our free, daily looming demonstration at Mission Espada.

Stroll Through History

Chiricahua National Monument

Sep 25 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm

Join Ranger Michelle for a sunset walk and talk through Faraway Ranch and the history of Bonita Canyon. Along the way, hear stories about the people who lived, worked, and traveled through the canyon, and get to know the people behind the history of...

Explore the Night (East District)

Saguaro National Park

Sep 25 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Half of the park is after dark! Join a ranger in the evening hours as night-prowling creatures begin to emerge. This program meets at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center. After a short ranger presentation, you'll hop into your car and follow the...

Lantern-Lit Legacies

Fort Union National Monument

Sep 25 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm

Why preserve these ruins? Discover this site's legacy as the sun has set and lanterns now shine during this 45-minute tour. (Historic area only open for this tour's participants after 4:00 pm on these dates. Park gates will re-open for these evening...

Night Hike

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Sep 25 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm

This is a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) round trip hike along an unimproved trail, marked only by stick posts and rock piles in low-light conditions. Sharp-pointed plants with thorns are very common along the trail with a slight but rocky slope.

Stars Over The Gila

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Sep 25 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Join us at the Gila Cliff Dwelling's National Monument Visitor Center parking lot to view the stars and other celisteral objects. Bring a red headlamp.

Lantern Cave Tours

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Sep 26 7:00 am – 10:45 am

Step back in time and experience Timpanogos Cave lit only by the flicker of lanterns on this ranger-guided tour to celebrate 100 years as a national monument! Discover what early explorers experienced as they traveled through the dark passages of the...

National Public Lands Day Insect BioBlitz

Padre Island National Seashore

Sep 26 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Are you passionate about insects and exploring biodiversity found in nature? Join us for an Insect Bioblitz, where citizen scientists will come together to identify as many insects as possible. The event will be held on September 26 th, 2026, to...

Daily Cave Tours

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Sep 26 8:15 am – 3:30 pm

Round trip, with hike time this tour is 3.5 hours. You are in the cave system for for 55-minutes and it walks through Hansen, Middle, and Timpanogos Caves. The caves are connected by two man made tunnels. This tour has Please make sure to read all of...

Garden Walk (East District)

Saguaro National Park

Sep 26 8:15 am – 8:45 am

Join us for a casual walk and talk through our ethnobotanical garden to learn some sharp facts about the Sonoran Desert! From the mighty saguaro cactus to the smallest flower, come let your curiosity blossom. This is an accessible program.

Garden Walk (West District)

Saguaro National Park

Sep 26 8:15 am – 8:45 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.

Grand Palace Tour

Great Basin National Park

Sep 26 8:30 am – 10:00 am

The Grand Palace Tour allows visitors to experience the entire developed area of Lehman Caves on a 90-minute ranger-guided adventure through more than half a mile of lighted cave paths.

National Public Lands Day

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Sep 26 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Celebrate National Public Lands Day by volunteering to clean up a popular area of the park. Volunteers are needed to remove trash and graffiti from the beaches and surrounding area. Volunteers participating in this event will receive a coupon voucher...

National Public Lands Day

Big Thicket National Preserve

Sep 26 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with stewardship! Help us clean up and beautify the Sundew Trailhead, one of the Preserve's most popular trails. All participants will receive a free 1-day coupon for entry into a participating federal public land...

Fort Open to Plaza Access

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Sep 26 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...

Sep 26 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

As we look ahead to the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decisions in 2029, this exhibit reflects on how these annual milestones have been commemorated over time, and asks: Where Next? Featuring items from past...

CaveSim

Great Basin National Park

Sep 26 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

CaveSim is a fun, immersive experience for visitors ages 5 & up that makes caving accessible to a wide audience. Containing 140 feet of simulated cave passages, CaveSim was custom-built for Great Basin National Park and inspired by Lehman Caves...

Alpine Ranger Rove

Great Basin National Park

Sep 26 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Exploring the Alpine Lakes Loop or Bristlecone trails? From 9am to 3pm, keep your eye out for a friendly ranger ready to chat about Great Basin's spectacular high country. Occurs daily, staff and weather permitting.

National Public Lands Day- Prairie Restoration

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Sep 26 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Help us take care of “Our Home Outdoors” on National Public Lands Day Saturday, September 26th! The first 50 volunteers will get a free one-day entry pass to federal public lands, valid for up to one year after the event. National Public Lands Day is...

BioBlitz

Golden Spike National Historical Park

Sep 26 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Golden Spike National Historical Park is offering two ways to volunteer for National Public Lands Day! 🐦 Bird Survey Project Explore the park’s roads and trails while identifying and recording the birds you see and hear. Your observations will help...

Guided Hike: Rinconada Canyon

Petroglyph National Monument

Sep 26 9:00 am – 10:30 am

These weekly hikes will focus on the history, geology, and petroglyphs along the 2.2 mile loop trail at Rinconada Canyon. Binoculars are encouraged but not necessary. Bring plenty of water and good hiking shoes. Hikes will be led by park volunteer...

Sep 26 9:00 am – 9:30 am

When available, the hikers' transport will drive day visitors from Faraway Ranch to Massai Point or Echo Canyon once daily. Hikers can choose one of two routes to hike 5.7 or 9 miles back to their car. Most hiker's prefer loops and out and back hikes...

Drop in Ranger Talk

White Sands National Park

Sep 26 9:30 am – 10:30 am

Stop by any time between 9:30-10:30 to dig deeper into the natural and cultural history of White Sands National Park. Topics can include ancient footprints, ancient megafauna, modern animals, human history, or a quick art project for children and...

Lodge Room Tour

Great Basin National Park

Sep 26 9:30 am – 10:30 am

The Lodge Room Tour is a 60-minute ranger-guided adventure through the Gothic Palace, Rose Trellis Room, Music Room, and Lodge Room of Lehman Caves.

Guided Hikes on the Islands

Channel Islands National Park

Sep 26 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...

Ranger Talk

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

Sep 26 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

Sep 26 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...

Monarch Morning Workshop

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Sep 26 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Monarch Butterfly Workshop — Join Us for a Magical Journey! Discover the incredible story of the Monarch Butterfly as it travels thousands of miles from Canada to Mexico in one of the most astonishing migrations on Earth. Learn why Monarch...

Sep 26 10:00 am – 11:00 am

“Stories from the Borderlands” are featured programs offered monthly. Each will be held at the reconstructed fort and the Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta and last 45 minutes, exploring a different facet of the Fort’s story.As always, visitors...

Ranger Guided Tour of Mission San José

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Sep 26 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 Guided Tour of Mission Concepción

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Sep 26 10:00 am – 10:45 am

Join our free, daily park ranger tours at Mission Concepción.

Ranger Program at Mission San Juan

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Sep 26 10:00 am – 10:45 am

Join our free, daily park ranger tours at Mission San Juan.

Introduction to Caving Tour

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Sep 26 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

The ranger-led tour spends 1.5 hours in the cave and introduces visitors to low-impact caving skills, safety and etiquette. With a helmet and headlamp you are ready to experience Hansen Cave in its natural state. You will scramble over boulders and...

Geology Talk

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Sep 26 10:00 am – 10:30 am

How did the Black Canyon form? What kinds of rocks are these? Discover answers to these and other questions about this dizzying chasm. Meet at Pulpit Rock Overlook at 10:00 am. 20-30 minutes. Location subject to change. May be cancelled due to...

Ranger Cabin Guided Hike

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Sep 26 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

In response to rampant looting, and the destruction of Walnut Canyon's cliff dwellings, a United States Forest (USFS) ranger was assigned to Walnut Canyon to preserve the park's resources. Beginning in 1904, the assigned ranger lived in what is today...

Junior Ranger Program

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Sep 26 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Hey Kids! Learn more about Great Sand Dunes with a park ranger.

Monroe School Architectural Tour

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

Sep 26 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Learn about Topeka’s historic Monroe School through a free, one-hour guided tour at Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park! Tours highlight the building’s architecture, architect Thomas W. Williamson, and history, and include a visit to...

Small Fry Fishing Tournment

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Sep 26 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Lake Meredith Small Fry Fishing Tournament is an annual, free event hosted by the Lake Meredith Small Fry Fishing Tournament Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting youth fishing. Purpose and Mission The tournament is designed...

Ranger Guided Hike - Pueblo Loop Trail

Bandelier National Monument

Sep 26 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Join a ranger for a 45-minute introductory program on the first 0.25 miles of the Pueblo Loop Trail! The walk will begin on the back porch of the visitor center and finishes at Tyuonyi Pueblo , the largest structure built by the Pueblo people in...

Geology Talk

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Sep 26 10:00 am – 10:30 am

How did the Black Canyon form? What kinds of rocks are these? Discover answers to these and other questions about this dizzying chasm. Meet at Pulpit Rock Overlook at 10:00 am. 20-30 minutes. Location subject to change. May be cancelled due to...

Silent Sentinels

Fort Union National Monument

Sep 26 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Starting at the visitor center, this staff-led program goes ½ mile to both the second and third forts. 45 to 60-minutes. All programs are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or limited staffing.

Sep 26 10:00 am – 11:00 am

What does it mean to be a good neighbor? Join Artist-in-Residence Mitsumasa Overstreet for an interactive art workshop centered on empathy, community, and connection. Participants will get to know one another, share stories and perspectives, and...

Ranger-guided Petroglyph Walk

El Morro National Monument

Sep 26 10:00 am – 11:30 am

This ranger-guided walk focuses on El Morro's numerous petroglyphs. Discover how these petroglyphs can pique our curiosity and illuminate our understanding of Ancestral Puebloan life at Atsinna more than 700 years ago! Join us for this easy walk on...

Tours of President Johnson's Boyhood Home

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Sep 26 10:30 am – 11:30 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.

Prewett Point Guided Hike

Pinnacles National Park

Sep 26 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Join a ranger on a hike and learn some of Pinnacles' fascinating resources that are protected in the park.

Ranger Guided Tour of Mission San José

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Sep 26 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

Sep 26 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...

Gran Quivira Ranger-Guided Hikes

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Sep 26 11:00 am – 11:45 am

Join our park rangers for a guided hike at Gran Quivira every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. These 45‑minute walks are open to everyone — no reservation needed. Bring plenty of water, pack a snack, wear sturdy shoes, and dress for the weather. Along the way...

Bristlecone Ranger Chat

Great Basin National Park

Sep 26 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Curious about Great Basin's alpine country? Anytime from 11am to noon each day, find a ranger in the Wheeler Peak Bristlecone Grove for an informal chat where you can ask about the trees, the animals, and other aspects of the higher elevations of the...

Sep 26 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Dive in with the 2024 documentary series Our Oceans , which takes viewers on a breathtaking journey beneath the waves to explore the remarkable wildlife and ecosystems found across all five of Earth’s oceans. In Episode 4, Arctic Ocean, journey into...

Dwellings Tour

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Sep 26 11:00 am – 11:45 am

Allow at least 30 minutes to hike up to the cliff dwellings. The trail leading to the dwellings is about 1/2 mile over rocky and uneven terrain with 180-foot elevation gain. Join a ranger on a 45-minute guided walk of the cliff dwellings to learn...

Accessible Gothic Palace Tour

Great Basin National Park

Sep 26 11:00 am – 11:30 am

The 30-minute Accessible Tour of Lehman Caves visits the Gothic Palace, the first highly-decorated room of the cave and can accommodate a wheelchair, with assistance. This tour is intended for persons with limited mobility, unable to negotiate stairs...

National Public Lands Day Planting Project

Chamizal National Memorial

Sep 26 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with us! Scout groups and the general public will join together for a beautification project planting vibrant marigolds. This hands-on activity fosters stewardship, enhances the park’s landscape, and invites the...

AM Visitor Center Ranger Talk

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Sep 26 11:15 am – 11:45 am

Explore a variety of topics about Great Sand Dunes. Topics posted at visitor center lobby bulletin board. (20 minutes)

Living with Giants (West District)

Saguaro National Park

Sep 26 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...