Birdwatching & Docent Guided Hikes

Throughout the fall to spring, several special docent or staff lead hikes are available to the public. Some hikes are RSVP and others are a general "show-up" at a meeting location. Please take note of each hikes availability. Meeting locations vary, and we generally meet early in the morning. Check back at this site regularly for updated outtings. All hikes are free! Sorry, no pets allowed. To find more local and national recreation opportunites, please visit www.recreation.gov

2009 Docent Guided Hikes:

• November 28, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various early fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  
  
• November 14, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various early fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  

• October 24, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various early fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

• October 10, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various early fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

• June, July & August; *Trail Closed*
  

• May 23, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various spring migrants such as hawks, shorebirds and herons. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  

• May 9, 2009
  Walk on the Wildside! Festival
  10 :00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. A fun, FREE family-oriented day in the country with lively entertainment and up-close personal views of many wildlife species, tours of wetlands and heron rookeries, falconry demonstration, puppet shows, folk music, animal presentations, 30+ conservation exhibitors, children's activities, Elk Grove High School FFA BBQ, and more! For more information and a flyer with directions, check out the Walk on the Wildside page!
  
  
• April 25, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various spring migrants such as hawks, shorebirds and herons. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  
  
• April 11, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various springl migrants such as hawks, shorebirds and herons. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

• March 28, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various spring migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  
  
• March 14, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various spring migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

• February 28, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  
  
• February 14, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  
  
• January 24, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  
  
• January 10, 2009
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  
  
• December 27, 2008
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  
  
• December 14, 2008
  Special RSVP Birding Tour
  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Rain or Shine.  Limit 25. To reserve a spot, please email: amy_hopperstad@fws.gov. As always, RSVP is first come first served. Come catch early winter migrants! We will be bird-watching in a normally closed area. This tour will take visitors to an area normally closed. We will be walking on a flat semi-hard dirt trail past managed wetlands for about 2 miles at a leisurely pace. All experience levels encouraged! Directions to meeting location will be sent to reserved visitors. Children are welcome, but no pets.
  
  
• December 13, 2008
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.
  
  
• November 23, 2008
  Special RSVP Birding Tour
  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Rain or Shine.  Limit 25. To reserve a spot, please email: amy_hopperstad@fws.gov. As always, RSVP is first come first served. Come catch early winter migrants! We will be bird-watching in a normally closed area. This tour will take visitors to an area normally closed. We will be walking on a flat semi-hard dirt trail past managed wetlands for about 2 miles at a leisurely pace. All experience levels encouraged! Directions to meeting location will be sent to reserved visitors. Children are welcome, but no pets.

• November 22, 2008
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

• Novermber 8, 2008
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

• October 25, 2008
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various early fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

• October 11, 2008
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various early fall migrants such as sandhill cranes, shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

• September 27, 2008
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various early fall migrants such as shorebirds and hawks. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

• September 13, 2008
  Seasonal Wetland Hike
  9 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Meet docent at 9:00 a.m. at the Elk Grove gate (Elk Grove Blvd exit; on west side of Interstate 5). Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat semi-hard dirt trail leading to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking managed wetlands hosting various early fall migrants such as shorebirds and hawks. Suggested items to bring: hat, binoculars, field guides, water, layers, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. A portable restroom is provided. No RSVP needed...just show-up! Please be on time as the group will go through a gate that gets locked. Children welcome, but pets must stay at home.

Education Tours

The refuge also can arrange environmental education docent guided tours for school groups or organizations. Guided education tours are first come first served and limited upon the availability of docents or refuge staff, so please reserve a month or two in advance. For more information, please call: (916) 775-4421.

Next May 9th, 2009, the refuge will also host our annual festival Walk on the Wildside! This fun, free outdoor event has many special tours to areas of the refuge that are normally closed, as well as live animal presentations, educational exhibits, live music, great food, kids activities, and more! So mark your calendars, and plan on taking a Walk on the Wildside!