• The Point Reyes Beach as viewed from the Point Reyes Headlands

    Point Reyes

    National Seashore California

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  • Operational Changes Took Effect on May 1

    The Lighthouse Visitor Center is now only open Fridays through Mondays. The Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center will be closed through late December 2013. More »

  • 2013 Harbor Seal Pupping Season Closures

    From March 1 through June 30, the park implements closures of certain Tomales Bay beaches and Drakes Estero to water-based recreation to protect harbor seals during the pupping season. Please avoid disturbing seals to ensure a successful pupping season. More »

For Kids

Girl with a dipnet

Point Reyes National Seashore is home to nearly forty species of land mammals, and at least a dozen species of marine mammals. Nearly half the bird species of North America have been spotted here. The park is home to one of the largest populations of tule elk and a thriving breeding ground for the once nearly extinct elephant seals. Jutting 10 miles into the Pacific Ocean, Point Reyes offers one of the best spots for viewing the migrations of the California gray whale.

Junior Ranger Program
Point Reyes National Seashore offers lots of fun opportunities for kids. While at Point Reyes, children can discover the wonders of wildlife-watching, hike along a variety of trails, build sand castles, watch for whales, seals and sea lions, discover the lighthouse, check out our visitor centers with interactive displays, or become a Junior Ranger! We have two self-guided Junior Ranger programs. One explores the history of the Coast Miwok people, while the other is a study at the lighthouse. Stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center or the Lighthouse Visitor Center, respectively, for more information on becoming a Junior Ranger.

Or you can become a Virtual Junior Ranger by downloading, printing, completing and mailing-in our Junior Ranger page (499 KB PDF)!

Point Reyes Summer Camp
Would you like to live in and explore Point Reyes for 4 to 6 days this summer? Do you like to explore mudflats, hike, tidepool, look for critters and have fun? If you are interested in receiving summer camp information, visit the Point Reyes Summer Camp website. The Point Reyes National Seashore Association runs this facility, and fees are charged.

School Reports
Do you need information to complete a school report? Information on wildlife, geology, plants, Coast Miwok Indians, the Point Reyes Lighthouse, and many other subjects is available through our Nature & Science and History & Culture pages.

High School Students
Are you interested in an internship, service learning project, or summer job? We offer a variety of opportunities including paid summer internships for students. Applications for science or science education positions are available online.

Stay tuned for interactive learning opportunities at this site...


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Did You Know?

Tule Elk

In the mid-1800s, the tule elk was hunted to the brink of extinction. The last surviving tule elk were discovered and protected in the southern San Joaquin Valley in 1874. In 1978, ten tule elk were reintroduced to Point Reyes, which now has one of California's largest populations, numbering ~500. More...