Events calendar

Coronado Hiker Shuttle

Coronado National Memorial

Apr 17 8:30 am – 9:30 am

Beginning December 11, take the FREE hiker shuttle from Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center to Montezuma Pass. The shuttle service runs every Thursday and Friday, one time, at 8:30 am. Join a ranger or park volunteer for a short orientation...

Apr 17 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...

Fort Open to Plaza Access

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Apr 17 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...

Truman and Civil Rights

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

Apr 17 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...

Garden Walk (East District)

Saguaro National Park

Apr 17 9:30 am – 10:00 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.

Guided Hikes on the Islands

Channel Islands National Park

Apr 17 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

Apr 17 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.

Critter Chat

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Apr 17 10:00 am – 10:30 am

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

Apr 17 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

As part of the national Anza 250 commemoration, the Cupertino Historical Society & Museum welcomes all to view an exhibit marking the 250th anniversary of Juan Bautista de Anza's expedition leading colonists to the San Francisco Bay — passing through...

Guided Tour

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Apr 17 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

Apr 17 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...

Apr 17 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...

Apr 17 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm

Join us in the Red Hills Visitor Center to discover various plant species native to the Sonoran Desert and learn how indigenous peoples traditionally used them for food and medicine. Wheelchair accessible.

Apr 17 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...

Arizona's Wildcats! (West District)

Saguaro National Park

Apr 17 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm

This is not about the University of Arizona’s teams nor is it about your mom’s house cat! Join an Interpretive Ranger in the theater to learn about the four types of wild cats that roam not only Arizona’s mountains and deserts, but in some cases –...

Sunset Walk/Talk

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Apr 17 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.

Sunset Walk/Talk

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Apr 17 5:30 pm – 6:30 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.

Night Comes Alive (East District)

Saguaro National Park

Apr 17 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Half the park is after dark! Join a ranger in the evening hours as night-prowling creatures begin to emerge. This is a 1-1.5 mile hike, and location varies. Regardless of program location, always meet at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center. We...

Lantern Lit Legacies

Fort Union National Monument

Apr 17 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) Gates will reopen at 6:30 pm.

Evening Program

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Apr 17 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

A formal interpretive talk on the history, ecology, and/or culture of the Sonoran Desert. Talks change daily; inquire at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for details.

Bat Flight Program

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Apr 17 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Please join us for the free Bat Flight Program (April through October), an evening ranger talk about bats prior to their flight. No reservations are required for this program that occurs every evening from April through October. The program takes...

Junior Ranger Star Quest

El Malpais National Monument

Apr 17 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management park rangers are partnering for an evening of stargazing. The event will begin with an indoor astronomy talk at 7:30 pm, followed by telescope and star viewing outside. Bring a flashlight or...

An International Dark Sky Park

Fort Union National Monument

Apr 17 7:45 pm – 9:15 pm

Experience the night sky as rangers share fun facts, celestial stories and guide you in the observation of deep sky objects through park provided viewers. 60 to 90 minutes. (Historic area trails closed at 4:00 pm. All grounds and gates will close at...

Experience Fort Davis After Dark - Enjoy a Night Hike

Fort Davis National Historic Site

Apr 17 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Experience the Park After Dark and Enjoy a Night Hike! Partnered with Sul Ross State University Biology Program, join us for a night hike behind the post hospital with Dr. Chis Ritzi as he identifies the nocturnal insects that make the night come...

Stars Over The Gila

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Apr 17 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.