Events calendar

Fort Open to Plaza Access

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

May 16 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...

Cultural Demonstrators and Artists on Site

Montezuma Castle National Monument

May 16 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

During the weekend in April and May, artists and cultural demonstrators from various tribes across the southwest will be on site at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot to share their skills and work with the public. These events are made possible with...

Truman and Civil Rights

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

May 16 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Did you know that President Harry S. Truman ordered the integration of the U.S. military in 1948 through Executive Order 9981? In the aftermath of World War II, returning veterans faced continued racial discrimination. The brutal attack and blinding...

Cultural Demonstrators and Artists on Site

Montezuma Castle National Monument

May 16 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

During the weekend in April and May, artists and cultural demonstrators from various tribes across the southwest will be on site at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot to share their skills and work with the public. These events are made possible with...

Guided Hike: Rinconada Canyon

Petroglyph National Monument

May 16 9:00 am – 11:00 am

This volunteer-led hike will take you on the 2.2 mile loop-trail into Rinconada Canyon, where you will learn about the history of the area - from the geology that shaped it to the Ancestral Puebloans and Spaniards that left their marks behind to the...

Poetry of Migration Workshop

Walnut Canyon National Monument

May 16 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

A bird walk and poetry workshop hosted by poet Jodie Hollander and park ranger Ryan carpenter at Walnut canyon National Monument. Binoculars and support provided by Western National Parks

Guided Hikes on the Islands

Channel Islands National Park

May 16 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

May 16 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

May 16 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...

Historic Weapon Weekends

Fort Union National Monument

May 16 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Of atlatls, bows and arrows and firearms on the frontier! Experience demonstrations and discussions of several types of historic weapons during this one-hour program.

Ranger Guided Tour of Mission San José

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

May 16 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

May 16 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

May 16 10:00 am – 10:45 am

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

Geology Talk

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

May 16 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...

Tours of President Johnson's Boyhood Home

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

May 16 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.

Ranger Talk

Montezuma Castle National Monument

May 16 11:00 am – 11:30 am

Learn about Montezuma Castle with a ranger daily at 11 am and 1 pm. Topics of discussion vary.

Ranger Guided Tour of Mission San José

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

May 16 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

May 16 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...

Garden Walk (East District)

Saguaro National Park

May 16 11:00 am – 11:30 am

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.

May 16 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...

Sea Chantey Sing at Mare Island

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

May 16 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Join us for a Mare Island Chantey Sing on Saturday, April 18, from 12-4 PM. There will be two gathering places for singing - on C.A. Thayer in the below deck hold and in the historic Coal Sheds. Instruments are encouraged in the Coal Shed location...

The Anza Expedition: A 250th Commemoration Exhibit

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

May 16 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Almost 250 years ago, as the Declaration of Independence was signed on the East Coast, the Anza expedition arrived at its destination on the West Coast. Both of these events would dramatically shape the cultural and political landscapes of the United...

May 16 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Join us on a stroll through the historic Muir orchard exploring the struggle Muir faced protecting Hetch Hetchy Valley. Details: Distance: 300 yards, one hill but mostly flat Pets: Dogs are welcome. Facilities: Located inside the visitor center...

May 16 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

All are welcome to this hands-on exploration of the agave - a versatile desert plant.

May 16 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...

Visit the Junction School with a Ranger

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

May 16 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Meet a park ranger at the Junction School to talk about what learning was like for four-year-old Lyndon when he started his education in 1912. On April 11, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson returned to his first school to sign the Elementary and...

Mission Espada Ranger Program

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

May 16 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm

Join our free, daily ranger program at Mission Espada.

Mariachi and Folklorico Spring Performance

Chamizal National Memorial

May 16 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

A vibrant encore mariachi and folklorico show!

Stargazing Program and Star Party

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

May 16 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Please join Chaco Culture and the Albuquerque Astronomical Society for a star party at the visitor center! The evening will kick off with a ranger program outside behind the visitor center (at the benches in the back) while the astronomers align and...

Dark Sky Night

Capulin Volcano National Monument

May 16 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Join us for an exceptional Dark Sky experience. Capulin was named a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association in 2016. Capulin Volcano holds Dark Sky viewing most Saturday nights during Summer months, and select nights Fall...