
- #Things to do in point reyes national seashore how to#
- #Things to do in point reyes national seashore free#
Continuing on with our descent down the steps, a visitor center awaits, where you can learn about the long history of the Point Reyes lighthouse, including information and displays of the wildlife living in Point Reyes national seashore, which includes whales, sea lions, and many more. Located at the very top of the stairs, an observation deck is available for all lovers of bird and whale watching. After the drive to the area, if you are lucky enough to find some parking spaces, you can let your adventure begin! On your way down the 313 steps to the Lighthouse itself, there are many things that will spike your interest in the site. Get ready to spend a good portion of your trip to Point Reyes at this incredible site brimming with life and memories of the past. Built in 1870, the lighthouse served for a little over a century, until it was replaced by an automated light tower in 1975. The lighthouse now serves as a relic of the past and as a specimen of maritime heritage. There are many opportunities for someone interested in volunteering their time to help the park.The Point Reyes Lighthouse, also known as the Point Reyes light station, was originally built to help mariners navigate themselves on the infamous perilous waters of point Reyes. Over the last few years, volunteers have invested over 50,000 hours removing nonnative plant species, monitoring wildlife, providing information to visitors, working at the Morgan Horse Ranch, protecting the resources, and maintaining the trails. Volunteers are a vital part of protecting and preserving Point Reyes. Point Reyes National Seashore also has a very active volunteer program.
#Things to do in point reyes national seashore how to#
Learn how to enjoy your park while leaving it in as good as, if not better, condition as you found it. Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
#Things to do in point reyes national seashore free#
Feel free to explore this Plan Your Visit section for other possibilities, and then come explore Point Reyes.

But you don't need to feel limited to what is described there. Please check out our Trip Itineraries page for some ideas on what to do during your first visit. Those who have visited Point Reyes have realized that to really explore Point Reyes requires much more than a day, and some who have visited frequently for years still discover something new with each visit.

Many first-time visitors arrive at Point Reyes National Seashore thinking that they can see everything here within a few hours, or at most in a day. To see Sculptured Beach, visitors need to hike a minimum of 8.6 km (5.4 miles) round-trip. (NOTE: Some restrictions apply to trail usage by bikers and horses, so please pick up free park maps with specific trails marked at a visitor center.) About 240 kilometers (150 miles) of trail beckon hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders to explore the backcountry.

Many visitors enjoy picnicking at beaches or at some beautiful vista along the park’s trails. The Point Reyes headlands and park beaches are excellent places to view the annual gray whale migration, which is best from January through April. Birding is exceptional throughout the seashore, especially during fall and spring migrations. Leisurely drives wind their way over Inverness Ridge and through the pastoral lands to beaches, to the historic lighthouse, and to wildlife viewing areas, such as the tule elk range on Tomales Point or the Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is the primary road visitors use to travel to trailheads, beaches, and other points of interest at Point Reyes National Seashore.
