K-12 School Field Trip
K-12 Field Trips to California State Parks in Mendocino
Check out our popular guided field trip experiences in the Mendocino Sector of California State Parks. All listed K-12 school field trip experiences are free and available with no associated fees (Donations can be made to our partners and non-profit organizations). To explore other experiences that are not listed, please contact K-12 Field Trip Coordinator, Steve Jahelka, (707) 309-4222, steve.jahelka@parks.ca.gov.
To ensure the safety of K-12 students while visiting California State Parks and reduce impact on park natural and cultural resources all K-12 school groups must submit a School Group Reservation Request Form at least one month prior to their proposed visit. Both guided and self-guided K-12 school field trips are subject to the approval of the Department of Parks and Recreation Staff including the K-12 Field Trip Coordinator and Special Events Coordinator.
MacKerricher State Park
Offered September 1st- December 17th and February 1st- May 28th.
This scenic Highway 1 park is located just north of Fort Bragg, California. MacKerricher hosts a variety of habitats, including a Marine Protected Area, sure to engage learners of every age. Visitors can travel along a cypress enclosed ADA compatible boardwalk at MacKerricher’s Laguna Point to a harbor seal rookery, or down a set of stairs to the tide pools. Visitors may choose to walk or bike along the historic paved “Haul Road” that weaves along the coast or spend a sunny day on the beach. MacKerricher State Park is a free day-use park that is a great lunch spot for nature lovers of all ages and abilities. Guided educational activities offer a chance for students to explore colorful tide pools, view lively harbor seal rookeries, admire the history and shine of Glass Beach, explore a fully articulated gray whale skeleton, get crazy about kelp, and more! The Day-Use Picnic area has ample space for students to eat lunch and rest before or after the guided activities. Due to parking availability group size is limited to the equivalent of 1 school bus ~ 60 students.
Guided Activities:
For the best student experience, school groups should be assigned to groups of no more than 30 to minimize crowding of trails and reduce impact to natural resources.
For MacKerricher State Park Field Trip Reservations, contact Interpreter I, Kat Gabrielson, (707) 309-4211, katherine.gabrielson@parks.ca.gov
Please choose one location in MacKerricher State Park:
Laguna Point: (Duration: 2 hours, Distance: >1 mile, All Ages, Binoculars provided) “Dive in” to the unique habitats of tidepool creatures and harbor seals with this 2-hour in-person field trip experience! This provides you and your students the opportunity to join us for an immersive experience in MacKerricher State Park and the MacKerricher State Marine Conservation Area. Students will explore the MacKerricher State Park tidepools to find and identify common tidepool creatures, their unique adaptations, and potential threats to this fragile habitat. During this time, students will learn what a Marine Protected Area is and why these protected areas of the ocean are important. Students will then travel along the Laguna Point boardwalk to visit another incredible marine habitat- the harbor seal rookery! Students will use binoculars to observe these animals in their natural habitat and will learn about the many adaptations this marine mammal needs to survive.
Ward Avenue: (Duration: 2 hours, Distance: 2 miles, 4th grade and over, binoculars provided) Adventurers start their journey from Ward Avenue, where they can view silhouette of dunes in “10 Mile State Natural Reserve” while whale watching along the coast on their way to the Northern MacKerricher Harbor Seal Rookery. Students learn about the incredible migration of the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale and local conservation efforts that are credited with helping this creature return from the brink of extinction! Students will also visit one of MacKerricher’s Harbor Seal rookeries to observe and learn about the adaptations that this resilient animal uses to survive. This trip concludes in front of the fully articulated gray whale skeleton near the entrance of MacKerricher State Park.
Click Here to Reserve a Guided Field Trip to MacKerricher State Park!
For Self-Guided Field Trip Reservations, contact Interpreter I, Kat Gabrielson, (707)309-4211, katherine.gabrielson@parks.ca.gov
Glass Beach - MacKerricher State Park
Offered March 1st- May 31st
Located at the southern end of MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, Glass Beach is a unique coastal site where natural beauty and human history meet. Once a municipal garbage dump, the beach still contains remnants of its past, including the sea glass that gives the beach its name. Over the years, multiple cleanup projects have helped the site recover, and today Glass Beach offers opportunities to explore tidepools, watch for wildlife, and enjoy spectacular ocean views. The site is also recognized as an archaeological site and lies within the MacKerricher State Marine Conservation Area. Glass Beach also features a picnic area with ample space for students to eat lunch and rest before or after guided activities, making it an ideal destination for school field trips.
Guided Activities: (Distance < 1 mile, 3rd grade and up, Duration 2 Hours, Min. 10, Max. 30 Students)
During this hands-on field trip, students will explore the rocky intertidal zone at Glass Beach and investigate the remarkable adaptations that help tidepool animals survive waves, predators, and drying out during low tide. Working in small groups, students will search for tidepool animals, observe their adaptations, and consider how these physical features and behaviors help them survive. Then, students will learn about the histoy of Glass Beach and consider how human activities can change ecosystems, including how the choices we make today can help restore and protect coastal habitats for the future.
For Field Trip Reservations to Glass Beach, contact Interpreter I, Kenzi Lamb, at mackenzi.lamb@parks.ca.gov.
Hendy Woods State Park
Offered September 1st- October 30th, and March 1st- May 22nd.
Located in Anderson Valley, along Highway 128, Hendy Woods acts as a great stop for those traveling any distance from inland locations to reach the coast. Our educational program offers guided redwood ecology hikes, nature journaling and bird watching expeditions as student activities. The park has ~ 5 miles of hiking trails, including the 1.5 mile accessible trail of Big Hendy Grove. The Day-Use Picnic area has ample space for students to eat lunch and rest between the offered activities. Due to parking availability group size is limited to the equivalent of 1 school bus ~ 60 students.
Guided Activities:
For the best student experience, school groups should be assigned to groups of no more than 30 to minimize crowding of trails and reduce impact to natural resources.
Please choose one or more of the following activities.
Redwood Ecology Hike: (Duration: 1-1.5 hours, Distance: ~1.5 miles ADA accessible. All Ages) Explore the majesty of an ancient coast redwood forest through Big Hendy Grove. Discover the intricate relationships between the associated flora and fauna of this ecosystem as well as the history of conservation that led to the protection of Hendy Woods State Park.
Nature Journaling: (Duration 1 Hour, recommended for 2nd-6th grade, journals are provided, students should bring pencils) Training the eye to make and record careful observations, nature journaling is a great supplemental activity for young learners. Students will receive a tutorial on how to make their observations using drawings, descriptive words, and measurements. They will then have time to record their own observations of the surrounding plants and wildlife.
Bird Watching 101: (Duration 1 Hour, recommended for 3rd grade and up, binoculars provided) Birds are among the most diverse wildlife on the planet. Observed in nearly every ecosystem, this diversity can help students discover the many ways that animals adapt to their environment. Students will receive a brief tutorial on directional listening, and the use of binoculars. They will then be guided along the meadow and river trail to identify birds and discover their adaptations.
Climate Change Field Science: (Duration 1 Hour, recommended for grades 7th-12) The redwoods are known as one of the largest carbon sinks in the world, due to the forest’s ability to store large amounts of carbon dioxide within the plants and soils. To help demonstrate this, students will take part in a hands-on experience of environmental science, as they collect data in the field using forestry techniques (measuring tree height and diameter) to calculate biomass and carbon storage, while documenting biodiversity.
Salmon: Forest Superheroes: (Duration 1 hour, recommended for grades 3rd – 6th) Salmon are superheroes that “feed” the forest, including our coast redwood, with the nutrient’s gained from their ocean migration. We will explore their home in the Navarro watershed, the stages of their life cycle, their amazing adaptations, challenges to their survival and how we can help them. Students will learn with hands-on interactive activities.
Click Here to Reserve a Guided Field Trip to Hendy Woods!
For Self-Guided Field Trip Reservations, contact Interpreter I, Steve Jahelka, (707) 309-4222, Steve.jahelka@parks.ca.gov
Jug Handle State Natural Reserve
Offered September 1st- November 15th and March 1st- May 22nd.
Located on Highway One just North of the town of Caspar, Jug Handle State Natural Reserve is a great place to experience the vast biodiversity of plant communities of the Mendocino Coast. John Olmstead, whose quick actions in 1972 halted the development of a hotel resort on this site, envisioned an outdoor classroom, what would soon become the Ecological Staircase Trail. The trail now traverses three terraces formed over 300,000 years of geological uplift and coastal erosion, allowing visitors to experience a wide range of plant communities and their responses to environmental factors. Both guided and self-guided experiences are available. Due to parking limitations, buses are not recommended, and school groups are limited to 8 vehicles max. Group sizes are limited to 30 students to prevent overcrowding of trails and minimize impact on natural resources.
Guided Activities:
Ecological Staircase Hike: (Distance ~ 5 miles round trip, Moderate difficulty, Duration 4 hours, grades 4th and up) Explore the variety of plant communities found throughout coastal Mendocino County, from the coastal prairies to bishop pine, redwood and pygmy forest ecosystems. Learn about the biotic and abiotic factors present and how they affect the size and shape of plants, acting as the foundation for the ecosystem. Students should be prepared for a day of hiking, dressed in layers with a pack, lunch, and water. Restrooms are only available at the main parking lot.
For Field Trip Reservations to Jug Handle SNR, contact Interpreter I, Steve Jahelka, (707) 309-4222, Steve.jahelka@parks.ca.gov
Mendocino Headlands State Park
Offered September 1st- October 29th and March 1st- May 22nd.
Surrounding the town of Mendocino on three sides, the Mendocino Headlands State Park offers clifftop trails, stunning views and layers of human history. Both guided and self-guided experiences are available. Due to parking limitations, buses are not recommended. Group sizes are limited to ~15 students to prevent overcrowding of trails and minimize impact to natural resources.
Guided Activities:
Mendocino Headlands History Hike: (Distance ~ 1 mile loop, mostly flat, Duration 1.5 hours, 4th grade and up) Explore the cultural changes that have taken place here with an interactive hike through the history of the Mendocino Headlands State Park! We’ll discover who lived here and how it became protected as a CA State Park.
For Field Trip Reservations to Mendocino Headlands State Park, contact Senior Park Aide, Anica Williams, anica.williams@parks.ca.gov
Greenwood State Beach
Offered September 1st- October 29th and March 1st- May 22nd.
Often overlooked, Elk’s Greenwood State Beach and Visitor Center Museum are a rare treat – with a rich history, sweeping views and one of the best beaches in the county. Both guided and self-guided experiences are available. Due to parking limitations, buses are not recommended. Group sizes are limited to ~15 students, to prevent overcrowding of trails and minimize impact to natural resources and due to limited restroom facilities.
Guided Activities:
Greenwood State Beach History Hike: (Distance ~ .5-mile loop, Duration 1.5 hours, 4th grade and up) Explore the cultural changes that have taken place here with an interactive hike through the history of Elk and Greenwood State Beach! We’ll discover some of the opportunities that brought people to this area and the challenges they faced and still face.
For Field Trip Reservations to Greenwood State Beach, contact Senior Park Aide, Anica Williams, anica.williams@parks.ca.gov