Brushy Peak Adventure

Explore the magical parkland known as Brushy Peak Regional Preserve with LARPD Ranger.  

(The side of the park owned by LARPD is only open to the public by ranger-led tours)

Participants must stay with the group. A registered adult must accompany children under 18. The trip will be canceled if it rains. The trip-ending timing is an estimation—it depends on the group's hiking speed and how much exciting stuff we stop to check out!

• Carpooling is encouraged. Please meet at the larger community center parking lot, 491 Loyola Way, next to the LARPD Community Garden.

4 Mile Brushy Peak Hike 

This strenuous hike covers approximately four miles over dirt and rocky trails, gaining 800+ feet in elevation. It includes an exploration of unique sandstone rock formations, an introduction to the Native Ohlone, Bay Miwok, and Delta Yokuts cultures associated with the site, and an opportunity to view the plants and animals that live or visit this area. 

2 Mile Brushy Peak Hike

We are also offering an alternate version of the Brushy Peak hike that does not include the final ascent to the peak. This hike reduces the mileage to around 2 miles, elevation gain to around 200 feet, and ends an hour earlier. However, we will still explore all the incredible rock formations and cover the same topics.

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Brushy Peak Group Adventure 

Do you have a group that wants to explore Brushy Peak Regional Preserve? A group tour of Brushy Peak can accommodate groups of up to 15 people (see description above). 

Please contact the Rangers at natureprograms@larpd.org or (925) 960-2400 for information and availability. The fee is $450 per group.

Explore the big world with your little ones at Sycamore Grove Park!

Every other week, we'll meet at the Arroyo Road entrance of Sycamore Grove Park and learn about the natural world through hands-on activities, sensory play, and outdoor exploration related to the session theme.

Sycamore Sprouts: Wild Weather

LARPD Ranger Staff 

Sunshine, rain, wind, rainbows, hail??  Let’s explore all things weather as the seasons turn from winter to spring! Ironically canceled if raining. 

• Please meet at the Arroyo Road park entrance. 
• Monday meeting dates: 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24
• Thursday meeting dates: 2/13, 2/27, 3/13, 3/27  

Sycamore Sprouts: Big World of Bugs

LARPD Ranger Staff 

Calling all bug lovers!  The park will be abuzz with pollinators, ladybugs, dragonflies, and so much more amazing bug-life.  Let’s meet some of the many small critters who live in our big park!   

• Please meet at the Arroyo Road park entrance. 
• Monday meeting dates: 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, 5/19
• Thursday meeting dates: 4/10, 4/24, 5/8, 5/22

Explore the SEASONS at Sycamore Grove Park with the LARPD Rangers! Sycamore Science Camp is an after-school and home-school program for youth ages 4-12. This year, we’ll spend as much time as possible out on the trail exploring the seasonal changes at Sycamore Grove Park. 

• Please meet at the Ranger Station Picnic Area (5035 Arroyo Rd). 
• If you have any questions, please call the Ranger Station at 925-960-2400. 

Sycamore Science Camp | Winter Season 

The days are shorter, the temperatures are colder...we might be tempted to curl up in a burrow and wait this season out. But then we'd miss out on all the amazing things happening at Sycamore Grove Park during winter! Join us as we explore the park and see what makes winter wonderful. 

Sycamore Science Camp | Spring Season 

Baby animals, wildflowers, migrations, wild weather?! We may have saved the best season for last with spring. Let's go out into the park to see what Sycamore Grove Park looks like as life "wakes up" this spring. 

Sycamore Science Camp | Seasons Over Time & Space

Wow, we’ve almost completed our journey around the sun to explore all four seasons.  But how are the seasons different in other parts of the world?  Are there other seasons beyond these four?  Have these seasons always been this way, and could they change in the future?  We’ll close out our year of science camp tackling these questions and more out in the park. 

Sycamore Science Camp Field Trip

Join us for a Sycamore Science Camp fieldtrip to Sunol Regional Wilderness!  We will spend the morning exploring the park to look for signs of Spring and may even get lucky enough to find some early wildflowers in bloom. 

Junior Rangers Program

Hiking, playing games, exploring nature, and lots of fun are included for those who register to be a LARPD Jr. Ranger. This program meets at Sycamore Grove Park every other week, where participants will explore the park and learn all about Open Space.   

• Please meet at the Ranger Station Picnic Area (5035 Arroyo Rd)
• Please call the Ranger Station if you have any questions at 925-960-2400. 

Ranger Explorers Program

Calling all nature lovers and outdoor explorers!

From pursuing an interest in STEM and the outdoor industry to adventuring and recreating in nature, this program is geared towards young teens and will give them a sense of independence, a community of peers, and a calling towards stewardship. Each 5-hour session will show participants a different side of our local wildlife and open spaces.

• Please meet at the Ranger Station Picnic Area (5035 Arroyo Rd) for the first session.
• Please call the Ranger Station if you have any questions at 925-960-2400. 
• Locations will vary; more information will be provided once registered. 

Three days and two nights of fun at LARPD's Camp Shelly near South Lake Tahoe. Hike mountain trails, cook food around the campfire, play ping pong or capture the flag and more. Transportation and food included. Campers supply their own camping equipment (except tents). Mandatory pre-trip meeting for all participants and parents/guardians.

*SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE - CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

LARPD Ranger Staff offer public programs, many of which are free! Please visit our Ranger Programs and Events page to see what's happening.

You may also subscribe to receive “Valley Wilds,” LARPD Open Space’s monthly newsletter, and be the first to learn about interpretive programs.

For more information about Ranger Programs, please call 925-960-2400. 

“Hoot Owl” program

The LARPD “Hoot Owl” program is a fun, after-hours walk-in Sycamore Grove Park led by LARPD Rangers! As the sun sets, you'll learn about nocturnal animals and their adaptations. Participants can touch wings and talons and view taxidermy specimens.

The introductory talk is followed by a one to two-mile hike as twilight transitions to darkness. Along the way, rangers make frequent stops so the group can look and listen for nocturnal creatures and offer fun activities that exercise all five senses to experience nature at night better.

How do I sign up for a Hoot Owl program?

• Email the ranger staff at natureprograms@larpd.org with your proposed hike date at least two weeks in advance. Further in advance will ensure more availability!
   
• The start time for the Hoot Owls Program is based on sunset, so times vary depending on the time of year.
   
• The Hoot Owl program generally lasts 1.5 to 2 hours and walks about one mile at a relaxed pace. 

What are the trails like on a Hoot Owl Hike?

The usual route is on wide dirt trails with some loose rock and gravel sections. This route is not recommended for strollers or wheelchairs. An ADA (paved) route is available upon request.

Plan Ahead

Hoot Owl Hikes are limited to 20 people, including kids and adults. You may need to book more than one hike so everyone can attend. We suggest all participants be at least 5 years old. Pets are not allowed. When registering, note which entrance your hike meets at. The Nature Area Entrance does not have restrooms or water fountains. If your hike is at this entrance plan extra time to make a restroom stop at the main park entrance (1051 Wetmore Road) before coming to the nature area.

What to Bring

• You should wear sturdy shoes, such as hiking boots or tennis shoes. Unless an ADA route is requested, you will be walking on dirt and gravel trails.
• Layers of clothing – when the sun goes down, it may get cold, even in the summer.
• Drinking water in a reusable bottle that you can carry with you.

What is NOT Allowed

These items may not be taken on the night hike – you will need to leave these items in your car:

• Flashlights
• Cameras with flashes
• Food
• Walking sticks
• Cell phones

Our Meeting Locations

• Sycamore Grove Park, Nature Area Entrance
• Sycamore Grove Park, Wetmore Road Entrance

Program Fee

Fees are per group, not to exceed 20 participants per group.

• Livermore resident Groups: $205
• Non-resident Groups: $225

Nature Programs for Groups

Do you have a group interested in a special nature program with the Rangers? 

From Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups working towards badges to special interest groups wanting a guided hike of the park, LARPD Ranger Staff is excited to create a custom program for your group. 

Don't hesitate to contact the Rangers at natureprograms@larpd.org or (925) 960-2400 for information, availability, and pricing.