Nature Hikes
DISCOVERING NATURE
DISCOVER ALL THE WONDERS OF NATURE!
Immerse your students in nature with our exciting discovery hikes led by WildCare’s Terwilliger Nature Guides. Students will use their senses to examine animal tracks, investigate scat, and spot wildlife, all while expanding their knowledge and appreciation of local flora and fauna. Scroll to learn how our hikes support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
PROGRAM DETAILS
- Group Limit: One classroom per hike per day (minimum class size 15 students)
- Teacher Requirements: bring a minimum of 1 adult for every 5 children to ensure a safe and hands-on experience
- Price: $335 per hike
For all other program details, please scroll down to view the details of each hike site.
QUESTIONS?
Email us at EDUCATION@DISCOVERWILDCARE.ORG
GET STARTED!
Fully booked for 2026/2026 school year, click below to join waitlist
NGSS ALIGNMENT
Allow your students to learn about real life examples of Next Generation Science Standards with exciting, hands-on experiences with nature and wildlife. Our programs are designed to align with, but not necessarily fulfill, the Next Generation Science Standards’ Performance Expectations. To focus on a specific standard or make connections to your curriculum, please mention it in the comments section while booking or during the final confirmation call.
ACTIVITY SHEETS
Use these to engage your students before and after your hikes, whether in person, or virtual!
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ACTIVITY SHEETS - PRE-HIKE ACTIVITIES
hike sites (Tuesdays)
Ring Mountain – Corte Madera
Learn about the unique geology and botany of this grassland, rich in serpentine soils. Students will learn about the cultural history of the Coast Miwok, while enjoying the panoramic views of San Francisco and Mt. Tamalpais.
Grades: 3-6
Dates & Times: Tuesdays 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
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DRIVING DIRECTIONS - RING MOUNTAIN
Ring Mountain
- From Highway 101 take the Paradise Drive exit.
- From the north, turn left at the stop light getting into the right lane. Continue through the next stop light
- From the south, getting into the right lane, turn right at the stop light.
- Everyone:
- Bear right onto San Clemente Drive. At the next stop light the road becomes Paradise Drive. Continue through the next light.
- After Westward Drive on the right, look for the Ring Mountain Preserve sign on the right (approximately 1-1/2 miles from Hwy 101. Park along the road.
- If coming on a long trip, please stop at San Clemente Park for the bathrooms (on the left after Prince Royal Drive).
- GOOGLE MAPS DIRECTIONS
hike sites (WEDNESDAYS)
Muir Woods – Mill Valley
Explore the fascinating ecology of a Coast Redwood Forest. Growing as tall as skyscrapers and living up to 2,000 years, Coast Redwoods provide a unique ecosystem found nowhere else on the planet. Keep an eye out for banana slugs, chipmunks and salmon. Wheelchair accessible.
Grades: K-6
Dates & Times: Wednesdays 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
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DRIVING DIRECTIONS - MUIR WOODS
FROM SAN FRANCISCO, PENINSULA OR SOUTH BAY
- Take Highway 101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Exit Highway l/Stinson Beach (there will be a sign for Muir Woods at this exit)
- Drive about .5 miles. At the 2nd stoplight, turn left.
- Drive about 2.7 miles. At the top of the hill, turn right towards Muir Woods/Mount Tamalpais.
- Drive about 0.8 miles. At the 4-way intersection, turn left towards Muir Woods (oncoming traffic has the right of way!).
- Continue down the hill about 1.6 miles.
FROM BERKELEY, OAKLAND OR EAST BAY
- Take Interstate 80 East from the Bay Bridge.
- Exit Interstate 580 West for the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge
- Exit Hwy 101 South
- Exit Highway l/Stinson Beach (there will be a sign for Muir Woods at this exit)
- Drive about .5 miles. At the 2nd stoplight, turn left.
- Drive about 2.7 miles. At the top of the hill, tum right towards Muir WoodslMount Tamalpais.
- Drive about 0.8 miles. At the 4-way intersection, turn left towards Muir Woods (oncoming traffic has the right of way!).
- Continue down the hill about 1.6 miles.
FROM SAN RAFAEL, SANTA ROSA OR NORTH BAY
- Take Highway 101 South
- Exit Highway 1 / Stinson Beach (there will be a sign for Muir Woods at this exit)
- Drive about. 5 miles. At the 2nd stoplight, turn left.
- Drive about 2.7 miles. At the top of the hill, turn right towards Muir Woods / Mount Tamalpais.
- Drive about 0.8 miles. At the 4-way intersection, turn left towards Muir Woods (oncoming traffic has the right of way!)
- Continue down the hill about 1.6 miles.
GOOGLE MAPS DIRECTIONS TO MUIR WOODS PARKING LOT 1
hike sites (THURSDAYS)
Miwok Meadows – San Rafael
Experience the oak woodland ecosystem and its amazing biodiversity, including grasslands, marshes and forests. Common sightings include wild turkey, deer, egrets and woodrat stick nests. Wheelchair accessible.
Grades: K-6
Dates & Times: Thursdays 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
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DRIVING DIRECTIONS - MIWOK MEADOWS (CHINA CAMP)
FROM THE SOUTH
- Take Hwy 101 North;
- Take the North San Pedro Road exit.
- See “Everyone” below
FROM THE NORTH
- Take Hwy 101 South;
- Exit North San Pedro Road;
- Turn left at the stop sign onto Merrydale;
- Continue to the first stop light, getting into the left turn lane;
- Turn left and proceed under the overpass (you should be on North San Pedro Road);
- See “everyone”
EVERYONE:
- From the stop light by the Civic Center, go straight and continue about 3 miles on North San Pedro Road
- Go past the Back Ranch Campground entrance on your right.
- Look for the Miwok Meadows sign on your right.
- Park on the side of the road and meet at the red gate by the Miwok Meadows sign.
Bus Scholarships available for Nature Hikes!
If your school participates in the Free or Reduced Price Meal program (FRPM), your class is eligible for a scholarship that matches the percentage of the student body that is eligible for FRPM.
WildCare will pay a maximum of $750 on a bus invoice for a 100% scholarship, regardless of the total cost of the invoice.
Depending on the percentage of your scholarship, the amount WildCare will pay will be prorated. For example: If you are awarded a 50% scholarship and the total of the bus invoice is $750, WildCare will pay a maximum of $375 (50% of the $750 cap).
You are responsible for booking a bus or organizing carpools for your field trip. WildCare will make payment on bus invoices AFTER your field trip. Bus invoices must be submitted for payment to WildCare within 45 days of the trip date. Bus invoices submitted after 45 days will no longer qualify for scholarship funds.
Cancellation Policy:
• If you cancel your program less than 8 weeks in advance, 50% of your program fee will be due or retained.
• If you cancel your program less than 2 weeks in advance, 100% of your program fee will be retained.
VIRTUAL NATURE HIKES
BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN
Virtual Nature Hikes
three exciting Virtual Nature Hikes to bring the forest and grassland habitats to your students when they can’t get outside
Using the interactive techniques of Mrs. Terwilliger, your students will learn about the adaptations of our local plants and animals. Who lives in the redwood forest? What plants and animals are used by the Coast Miwok? What do Dusky-footed Woodrats store in their stick houses? Why do fence lizards do push-ups? Students will learn the answers to these questions as well as what makes each ecosystem special.
Shot taken from WildCare's Virtual Nature Hike Video in Miwok Meadows
VIRTUAL RING MOUNTAIN NATURE HIKE
JOIN TERWILLIGER NATURE GUIDES AS THEY EXPLORE THE UNIQUE HABITATS OF RING MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE PRESERVE.
Learn about the plants and animals that the Coast Miwok use and how resident wildlife such as Red-tailed Hawks, Gopher Snakes, Coyotes, and Dusky-footed Woodrats survive in this landscape.
Some of the plants highlighted are Poison Oak, Coast Live Oak, Bay Laurel, Buckeyes and the Tiburon Mariposa Lily that grows nowhere else on earth.
We will also share some of Ring Mountain’s very special geological and cultural features. Discover all of this and more!
TEACHER RESOURCE GUIDE
RING MOUNTAIN HIKE
VIRTUAL REDWOOD FORESTS NATURE HIKE
JOIN TERWILLIGER NATURE GUIDES AS THEY SHARE THE MAGIC OF THE REDWOOD FOREST!
Have you ever wondered what makes a redwood tree red? Or how Coast Redwoods grow to be the tallest trees on the planet? We will look at the cones, needles, seeds, and bark of the Coast Redwood and learn why tannin is the secret to their success. Take a peek in the forest to see a Barred Owl, Bobcat, River Otter, Western Grey Squirrel, and Black-tailed Mule Deer, and discover why the redwood forest is their perfect habitat.
TEACHER RESOURCE GUIDE
VIRTUAL MIWOK MEADOWS NATURE HIKE
JOIN TERWILLIGER NATURE GUIDES AS THEY EXPLORE MIWOK MEADOWS IN CHINA CAMP STATE PARK.
Come along as they spot a Coyote, Black-tailed Mule Deer, Wild Turkeys, Western Gray Squirrel, Western Fence Lizards, and a Black-tailed Jackrabbit!
Nature Guides share how to spot animal signs such as scat, spider turrets, oak galls, and nests, and explain how these animals make their living in the oak woodland and grassland habitats.
What can you learn by looking at animal scat? Why do fence lizards do push ups? What do Dusky-footed Woodrats store in their huge stick nests? Learn the answers to these questions and so much more!
TEACHER RESOURCE GUIDE
MIWOK MEADOWS HIKE