Tours
2025 Spring Guided Paddle Tours
Date/Time:
- March 29; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- April 12; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- April 26; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- May 10; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- June 14; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost:
Free!
Reservations:
No reservations needed. Just show-up with your canoe or kayak on the specified date and time. Be on time as the group goes through a gate that will get locked!
Paddle Location:
Stone Lakes NWR Lower Beach Lake slough, a 3-mile historic dredged area of Lower Beach Lake; see Directions below. Tours are approximately 3 hours, so please plan accordingly to allow for the entire time. No reservation needed. All paddle tours are docent guided in a normally restricted area; there is no general access for self-guided paddling on the refuge. Rain cancels.
Another nearby option for self-guided kayaking is at Cosumnes River Preserve, which is open daily with free dock launch and parking.
Driving Directions:
From Sacramento, take Interstate 5 south to Elk Grove Blvd exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right (west) looking towards the grasslands. The exit dead ends in 300 feet at a large red and white striped gate that has a sign that says "North Stone Lake Unit". The tour guide will meet you right there and have everyone drive back to another location to unload their boats. Remember, be prompt for all scheduled paddle times as the group will go through a gate that gets locked!
Note: All scheduled trips meet at the refuge Elk Grove Blvd gate directly off west side of Interstate 5. Paddle tours do NOT meet at Blue Heron Trails or the office headquarters! Arrive at least 10 minutes early. Please allow yourself the entire allotted time for the trip duration with the group. All tours are approximately 3 hours unless otherwise noted, so please plan accordingly to stay the entire time. All paddle tours are docent guided in a normally restricted area; there is no general access for self-guided paddling on the refuge.
What to Bring:
Bring a non-motorized canoe or kayak, paddle, and Coast Guard approved type II or III personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. All participants MUST wear PFD's regardless of swimming skills and experience. We also recommend to bring water, sunscreen, hat, snacks/lunch, insect repellent, and any other personal comfort items you may need. Boat portage is approximately 100 feet to the launching dock. The refuge does NOT provide or rent out boats; you must bring your own boat.
What NOT to Bring:
Sorry, but alcohol, dogs/pets, fishing gear, motors, float-tubes, stand-up paddle boards (SUP), personal inflatable rafts (inflatable & pedal kayaks are ok), homemade rafts, water cannons, bbq's, music/radios and remote controlled devices must stay at home. Remember, this is a relaxed quiet wildlife viewing paddle, not a float party.
Additional Important Tidbits (please read):
This is about a 3 mile paddle. Although the slough is lined with trees, there will be little shade as you paddle, so please be prepared for being exposed to the sun and heat. The slough itself is pretty much a stagnate waterway with very little movement, but afternoon winds can pickup and make paddling a little more strenuous. This is a great opportunity for viewing wildlife; you are welcome to bring binoculars and a camera, but remember we will be on the water and you and your gear may get wet. This is a slower paced, relaxed paddle for viewing wildlife, so if you feel a need for speed please visit a local reservoir. You will be parking and unloading close to the floating dock where we will launch; you will only need to portage your boat approximately <100 feet, and there is the opportunity to either land launch or dock launch. This is an undeveloped site with no running water, although a non-flush restroom will be available. Remember, the wildlife is sharing the slough with us, so please respect their home; 'taking a dunk' and swimming is strictly prohibited.
Tours
2024/25 Fall and Winter Docent Guided Walks
Date/Time:
- November 16; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- December 14; CANCELLED due to weather
- December 21; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- January 11; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- January 25; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- February 15; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Meet the docent in the Blue Heron Trails parking lot
Cost:
Free! No reservation needed
What to Bring:
To enhance your visit, we recommend: water, sunscreen, hat, snacks, insect repellent, camera, field guides, binoculars, sturdy walking shoes, wear layers, and any other personal comfort items you may need. This walk is on a gravel and dirt road, so strollers are not advised. Wheelchairs equipped with off-road tires should work well.
What NOT to Bring:
Sorry, but dogs/pets must stay at home. Remember, this is a relaxed walk to learn about the refuge and we want to minimize disturbance to wildlife.
About the Walk:
This is a slower paced, relaxed walk learning about the refuge and viewing wildlife from a distance, so please intend to stay with the guide. Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat gravel and dirt road in a normally restricted area. The walk goes near managed wetlands hosting various winter migrants such as hawks, shorebirds, Sandhill cranes, and waterfowl. The path may be muddy if it's been raining or foggy. There will be little shade as you walk, so please be prepared for being exposed to the sun. A non-flush restroom is available in the parking lot before your walk; there is NO restroom available during the walk. Children welcome, but dogs/pets must stay at home. This is a great opportunity for viewing wildlife from a distance; you are welcome to bring binoculars and a camera. Remember, the wildlife is sharing the refuge with us, so please respect their home and minimize disturbance. Please visit the Blue Heron Trails page for more information about the trails.