Enjoy the lovely summer weather with a serene visit to the beautiful Rogue River Preserve!
The preserve includes two miles of riverfront along the Rogue River, a large floodplain forest, and oak woodlands with meadows. It is only open to the public during special events, work parties, and youth education programs. So, come and take advantage of this special opportunity and explore the trails at your own pace, attend a guided hike, bring a picnic lunch or thermos of tea to enjoy by the river, or all three. Waterproof shoes and sunscreen are highly recommended.
To limit crowding on the trails, registration is free and required for hikes or self-guided exploration for the day. Guided hike participants are welcome to explore the property before or after their hike slot. Please only register for one of the options listed below. Thank you.
Self-Guided Explorations
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Check out field guides, binoculars, and other gear from our lending library and chat with docents along the trail to learn as you explore. Alternatively, you can walk the trails at your own pace, take photos, go birding, draw, or relax on a bench. This is a wonderful opportunity for families.
Plein Air Sketching and Painting with Sarah F. Burns
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Ready to try plein air sketching or painting? Sarah F. Burns will show you her favorite strategies for creating artwork outdoors at the beautiful Rogue River Preserve and guide you in understanding color and light to create your own unique expression. This is a great opportunity for artists with some experience, but all are welcome to attend. Please bring your own painting or sketching supplies. Sarah will provide a list of suggestions upon registration.
Herpetology Hike and Finding Scaly Friends with Dr. Michael Parker
1:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lizards and snakes and turtles, oh my! Join Dr. Michael Parker on a family fun two-mile exploration of the Rogue River Preserve to search out resident reptiles. This hike will include a visit to a secluded slough to look for western pond turtles as well as an exercise in flipping cover boards. Hikers may encounter an assortment of scaly critters including alligator lizards, western skinks, garter snakes, and yellow-bellied racers.
