• Full moon hike: the Pink Moon

    China Camp Ranger Station 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, United States

    Join us for an unforgettable evening under the stars. This popular guided hike leads to an impressive vista point where we’ll witness the rise of the full moon over the sparkling bay. April’s full “Pink Moon” gets its name from the vibrant pink phlox flowers that bloom on the East... Read more »

  • Sudden Oak Death Bioblitz

    Online

    Join the Sudden Oak Death Bioblitz at China Camp. This annual community-science event, organized by researchers from U.C. Berkeley, invites volunteers to help monitor the spread of the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, the cause of Sudden Oak Death (SOD). The disease has devastated oak-and-bay forests throughout the West, including at China Camp. At... Read more »

  • Give-back morning at China Camp

    China Camp Ranger Station 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, United States

    Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh... Read more »

  • Pitch in for Earth Day

    China Camp Village Point parking lot

    As a nature lover, you probably know about Earth Day, the springtime celebration focusing on environmental protection and how you can help. At state parks in California, Earth Day is celebrated throughout April, with volunteer events taking place at many of the state's 280 parks, including China Camp. On Saturday,... Read more »

  • Wildflower hike: spring blooms still going strong

    Turtle Back Trailhead

    Showy poppies, sapphire-blue lupines, and indigo irises—a color wheel is on display in the park right now. On this gentle hike, we’ll look for these and other wildflowers that strut their stuff in late spring and early summer, including sticky monkey flower, checkermallow, and brodeia. We’ll also be on the... Read more »

  • Give-back morning at China Camp

    China Camp Ranger Station 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, United States

    Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh... Read more »

  • Speaker Series: oyster research at China Camp

    China Camp Village 100 China Camp Village Rd, San Rafael, CA, CA, United States

    The Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida) is the only native oyster found on the West Coast. Scientists from NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and their collaborators have been monitoring oyster populations at China Camp State Park and areas around San Francisco Bay for many years. NERR senior research technician Anna... Read more »

  • Birding walk: swallows show up in force

    Turtle Back Trailhead

    They swoop. They zoom. They flitter, squeak, and chur. They are the lively and chatty swallows of spring, which arrive this month. We’ll be on the lookout—with eyes and ears—for our three most common species. Tree swallows, which tend to nest in tree cavities, cruise above the meadows and marshes... Read more »

  • Wildflower hike: flower power at China Camp

    Knight Drive trailhead Near 352-380 Knight Dr, San Rafael, CA, United States

    Spring into spring and discover the park’s vibrant wildflowers on a walk through our oak woodland forest. This gently rolling stroll leads us to seasonal favorites such as Coast mule’s ears, blue-eyed grass, star lilies, California poppies, and Douglas irises. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of China Camp’s beautiful... Read more »

  • Special event: scan the skies with Marin Stargazers

    Back Ranch Meadows Campground

    Look up! When skies are clear and the sun sets, you can’t miss this month’s dazzling array of natural night lights: a delicate crescent moon, brilliant Venus shining on the horizon, and mighty Jupiter glowing overhead. Come see these and other evening dazzlers with volunteers from Marin Stargazers. They’ll bring... Read more »