Coasts, Islands and Atolls

Distance : ~13 miles (21 km), strenuous Travel from forest to tidepools on this ambitious walk through the central part of the Phillip Burton Wilderness . This trail includes beautiful forest and spectacular coastal hiking with sweeping ocean views. Much of this area through which this route passes was burned in the Woodward Fire , which was started by lightning strikes in August of 2020. Start at the Bear Valley Trailhead and follow the relatively flat Bear Valley Trail south. A short distance beyond a sign indicating you are entering the Phillip Burton Wilderness, you will get to choose between two routes that will lead you to the Sky Trail along the crest of Inverness Ridge. Turn right on to the Mount Wittenberg Trail 0.2 miles (0.3 km) from the trailhead if you want a more strenuous ascent of about 1,130 feet (~340 m) over a distance of 1.8 miles (2.9 km). While the Woodward Fire burned along most of the length of the Mount Wittenberg Trail, it primarily burned in the understory and left most of the canopy of the Douglas fir forest intact. As a result, there are very few far-reaching views from this trail until you reach the ridge crest. Remain on the Mount Wittenberg Trail at the Z Ranch Trail junction, which is located at the highest point along this route with an elevation of 1270 feet (385 m).* From the crest of Inverness Ridge along the western 0.4 mile-long (0.6-kilometer-long) leg of the Mount Wittenberg Trail, you may be rewarded (weather dependent) with views looking west across the peninsula to the Pacific Ocean. The Mount Wittenberg Trail intersects with the Sky Trail 0.4 miles (0.6 km) beyond the Z Ranch Trail junction and 2.4 miles (3.8 km) from the Bear Valley Trailhead. *From Mount Wittenberg-Z Ranch Trail junction, the 0.3-mile-long (0.5-kilometer-long) Mount Wittenberg Summit Trail leads, as its name suggests, to the summit of Mount Wittenberg (elevation 1407 feet (426 m). The once unobstructed views from near the summit have, since 2000, become obstructed by dense Douglas fir thickets that sprouted shortly after the 1995 Vision Fire . While the 2020 Woodward Fire burned through much of the forest around Mount Wittenberg, the view-obstructing Douglas fir thickets were largely left unscathed. So, without being rewarded with views for their effort, many hikers pass on ascending the Mount Wittenberg Summit Trail. Turn right on to the Meadow Trail 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from the trailhead if you want a slightly easier climb over Inverness Ridge. Similar to the Mount Wittenberg Trail, the Woodward Fire mostly impacted the understory of the forest along the Meadow Trail. While the trail does pass through a fairly large meadow (after which the trail was named), views from the meadow are of forested hillsides less than a mile distant. The Meadow Trail ascends about 840 feet (~255 m) over a distance of 1.6 miles (2.6 km) before intersecting with the Sky Trail 2.4 miles (3.8 km) from the Bear Valley Trailhead. The elevation at this intersection is ~1080 feet (~327 m). Both the Mount Wittenberg Trail and the Meadow Trail intersect the Sky Trail at the same large trail junction. Turn left (south) on to the Sky Trail and follow it for 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to its junction with the Woodward Valley Trail. Once hemmed in by a ~six-foot-tall (~two-meter-tall) hedge of huckleberry bushes, the Woodward Fire cleared out most of the shrubs and a lot of the lower branches of the trees in this area so that this section of trail feels a bit more open than it did before 2020. Turn right (west) on to the Woodward Valley Trail, which was one of the lushest, greenest trails in the park before the Woodward Fire. The Woodward Valley Trail descends about 800 feet (~240 meters) over a distance of 2.0 miles (3.2 km) before intersecting with the Coast Trail, where you will turn left/south. Open ocean views are plentiful along the last 0.5 miles (0.8 km) of the Woodward Valley Trail and along the length of the Coast Trail as you pass through coastal grasslands intermixed with some coastal scrub. The Sculptured Beach Trail branches off after 0.5 miles (0.8 km), leading down to Sculptured Beach , where there are tidepools exposed at low tides. A second location to descend to a beach occurs 2.5 miles (4 km) later when you reach the Kelham Beach Trail junction. The Sculptured Beach and Kelham Beach Trails are indefinitely closed due to storm damage. Continuing south on the Coast Trail for another 0.9 miles (1.5 km ) brings you to the Coast-Bear Valley Trail junction. Turn left on to the Bear Valley Trail and follow it 4 miles (6.4 km) east and north back to the Bear Valley Trailhead parking lot. The Bear Valley Trail has a gentle grade as it first follows Coast Creek to Divide Meadow and then gradually descends along Bear Valley Creek for the final 1.6 miles (2.6 km) of this hike. Aside from the large meadow at Divide Meadow, the trail passes through a beautiful forest of buckeyes, oaks, and Douglas firs. Restrooms and water are available at the Bear Valley Trailhead parking lot. Otherwise, there are no other facilities along this route until you reach Divide Meadow, at which there are vault toilets, but no potable water. This route description alone is not a substitute for a trail map. Print out the Point Reyes National Seashore's South District trail map (3,422 KB PDF) before your visit, or pick one up at the Bear Valley Visitor Center on your way. Always check current conditions before heading out into the park and familiarize yourself with park regulations . Please practice Leave No Trace principles. Visit the park's Hiking at Point Reyes National Seashore page for hiking tips and information about trail etiquette and safety. Visit the park's Trail Advisories and Closures page for current information about closed trails, trails blocked by trees, or other temporary hazards or advisories.

What comes to mind when you think about fishing? Patience, relaxation, challenge, and memories are a few words often associated with fishing. You will find all that and a sense of stewardship, conservation, and preservation on this page. We want you to have an enjoyable time during your visit, and for those who come after you to fish. Take some time to explore, learn what the park has to offer and learn your responsibilities before casting a line or flicking a fly into the water. From shore or by boat, Point Reyes National Seashore allows fishing as a means of providing for public enjoyment, and customary and traditional use, and regulates fishing to ensure that it is managed in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources. For more information on fishing at Point Reyes, visit the Fishing at Point Reyes page. Licenses A valid California fishing license is required to fish in the park, and fees vary. Children under 16 years of age do not require a license. Visitors fishing within Point Reyes National Seashore must follow the fishing license requirements in accordance with the laws and regulations of the California State Fish and Wildlife regulations . Fishing Regulations Per the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 Chapter I Part 2 Section 2.3 , fishing shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of California except as provided in the Prohibited Practices and Regulations specific to Point Reyes sections on the park's Fishing page. Where there is a conflict between a state regulation and a federal (NPS) regulation, the state regulation is superseded by the federal regulation. For state fishing regulations, please visit the California State Fish and Wildlife regulations website. For more information on how NPS fishing regulations work, go to the regulations page on the NPS Fish and Fishing website's How Regulations Work page. Where to fish Fishing is allowed in Tomales Bay, from most park beaches, and in freshwater lakes and ponds. Anglers fish from shore or by boat. Always check the weather and marine forecasts before kayaking, canoeing, boating, etc. Visit our Your Safety While Boating page for information on preparing for and remaining safe while boating in the Point Reyes area. To better protect endangered and/or threatened species of fish or to preserve critical habitat, fishing is prohibited in: Lagunitas Creek and all its tributaries including Olema and Bear Valley Creeks; all inland freshwater streams in the park (although fishing is allowed in freshwater lakes and ponds) Estero de Limantour; the Point Reyes Headlands Marine Conservation Area; certain Marine Protected Areas detailed in the "Location" collapsible panel below.

Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters offers visitors an opportunity to experience the Chesapeake Bay through sailing excursions departing from historic St. Michaels, Maryland. Aboard the sailing catamaran Epiphany, guests explore the Miles River and surrounding Bay waters while discovering the natural, cultural, and maritime stories that have shaped the region for generations. As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters combines recreation with interpretation in a luxury setting with up to 13 guests. USCG licensed captains and crew provide engaging, conversational narration that encourages visitors to ask questions and observe the Chesapeake landscape firsthand. Along the way, guests learn about the Bay's estuarine ecosystem, changing shorelines, tidal rhythms, wildlife, and fisheries while exploring why clean water and healthy habitats are essential to the region's future. Sailing from the harbor at St. Michaels also provides opportunities to interpret the community's rich maritime heritage. Guides share stories of local shipbuilding, working waterfronts, navigation, and the role the Chesapeake Bay has played in commerce, settlement, and national history. Historic landmarks and scenic shorelines help connect visitors with the people who have lived and worked on these waters over centuries. By combining wind-powered recreation with personalized interpretation, Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters encourages visitors to experience the Chesapeake Bay while fostering appreciation for its history, ecology, and continued stewardship. Visitors are encouraged to learn more through their website . This location does not accept the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Entrance fees and ticket policies are set independently by the managing partner, as detailed on their website.

This moderate hike is a great option for families with skilled, young hikers. The loop offers a short, relatively steep hike to the top of a small mountain with spectacular views of Somes Sound and descends to a quiet ocean cove with a rocky beach. Distance: 1.5 miles round trip Terrain: Log and gravel steps. Becoming more rugged, traversing rocks and roots. exposed ledges, rocky granite and stone steps. Flat grassy terrain between Valley Cove and the parking lot. Hike Description Start the trail at Fernald Point Road and ascend through a forest on log and gravel steps. The trail becomes becomes more rugged over rocks and roots, and then ascends exposed ledges before reaching the peak. Overlooks along the way provide views of Somes Sound to the east and the ocean to the south. The trail continues north along the ridge, passes the summit markers, and descends to Valley Cove over rocky ground and stone steps. The trail returns through forest along Valley Cove Road (foot traffic only) to the parking area.

Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes in a new way! No matter where you are in the Lakeshore, you can solve puzzles using your phone, web browser, and the NPS app. Expected time to complete is approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour, but you can take as long as you like. There are five puzzles for you to solve. All puzzles can be solved from your phone, however if you want to explore the park three of the puzzles have physical locations, one of the locations is hidden in the puzzle (#4). Keep track of your answers on a note or a piece of paper, you will need them later. Still not sure how to play? A. How do I play? 🧩 In the Park: This is a game with a series of puzzles, available to be played while in the park. If unable to visit the location or visit the park, there is an online-only option. Puzzles will take you to locations either around the park or virtually within the NPS App. In-Park clues will help direct you to the answer’s location. You might need to use your GPS, search within the NPS app within Sleeping Bear Dunes’ park page, visit a website, or search something on the web. You never know where an answer might be hidden! Online-only clues will direct you to search within the NPS app, visit a website, or search something on the web. B. Will I need to use my phone? 📳 Regardless of where you are playing the ParkPuzzler, yes! Both the puzzles and some of the answers to the puzzles will be within the NPS App. For those in the park, some areas will not have much cell coverage. It would be best to download Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for offline use. To do so, select the cloud button when you open the park’s page. No account is needed to solve the puzzles. C. How long does it take to play? ⏰ Gameplay typically lasts about 30 minutes! However, the ParkPuzzler is not timed, and you can take as long as you need. It does not matter the order of the puzzles, so you can read through them D. What if I need help? 🤔 Below each puzzle there are two hints, click on them to reveal them should you need it. If participating in the online-only, your clues are also found below the In-park clue. E. What if I will not be going to the location the puzzle is leading me? Puzzles with a location in the park have an online-only clue available below the question. So you can still solve the puzzle! F. Do I need to complete the puzzles in order? No, there are no puzzles that are connected. You can complete the puzzles in any order you want. Puzzle 1 Location: Visitor Center Clue : Anishinabek are the first peoples that lived here, they traveled Lake Michigan by canoe. One landmark that helped them navigate the shore, is the dune known as Sleeping Bear. They have an oral history that explains how this dune and the islands came to be. Find the story here - GPS Coordinates: 44.811474, -86.056063 What is the name of the Great Spirit in the legend? Online-Only Clue: Oral Histories are sometimes referred to as Legends. HINTS Hint 1: Plug the GPS coordinates into a map app or use the compass on your phone to locate the Legend. Hint 2: The Islands share the Great Spirit's name. Puzzle 2 Location: Virtual Location Clue : Should you find one along the shore - leave it alone for others to find*. A fossilized coral, smoothed over time is miss named as the State Stone (Picture at the top). What is the name of this stone? *It is illegal to remove anything but fruiting bodies from the Lakeshore, see the Superintendent's Compendium. HINTS Hint 1 : The same state names the Mastodon as the State Fossil. Hint 2: Use a search engine and include the State Sleeping Bear Dunes is located. Puzzle 3 Location: Empire Bluff Trail Clue : The sand of the dune rests, like a bird on a branch. It is what makes Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore unique. Take a TOUR of this trail, all the way to the Overlook. What kind of dune is Empire Bluff? Online-Only Clue: Even when you are not in the park, you can still be GUIDED on a TOUR, including the beautiful Overlook. HINTS Hint 1: Have you noticed those numbered posts? Each number has information found in the NPS App. Hint 2 : Check out the Self-Guided Tours, all the way to the top of the bluff. Puzzle 4 Location: ??? & Virtual Clue : Although it is not the biggest Dune in the park, it is still quite the Climb. What is the Name of this location? How quickly does the dune move? Bonus: See if you can locate the exhibit where you can do the math, the measuring stick is covered but the sign still remains. HINTS Hint 1 : Names are always C apitalized Hint 2 : See what the App has to say about this location. Puzzle 5 Location: Virtual Clue : Within the Manitou Passage, the two cubs rest. As ships tried to SEARCH their way through at night. A beacon helped to shine a LIGHT through the COMPLEX passage. Who recognized the need for this beacon? HINTS Hint 1 : There are INSTRUCTIONS in the clue. Hint 2: Search “Light Complex” under Sleeping Bear Dunes in the NPS App Submitting your Answers: 1. Photograph your answers Screenshot or take a picture of your answers. 2. Make a Postcard! Select the Postcard button under the Lakeshore in the NPS App. Pick up to 3 of your favorite photos from your trip, and include the photo/screenshot with your answers! 3. Email your photo To SLBE_Programs@nps.gov, titled ParkPuzzler. Within the email, include your name to be added to the list of completed challengers! Puzzle Masters 2025 Betsy & Emily Pechner Answers - ( no peeking! )

Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp, a 1.2-mile loop trail in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. The trail descends through a stunted oak and pine forest into a mature woodland, leads to a boardwalk that winds through the picturesque Atlantic White Cedar Swamp, and returns via the historic “Wireless Road” (a sand road) to the starting location. The trail is rated as moderate. It has solid surface for the duration of the trail with some slopes and hills. There is a boardwalk through the swamp for about 0.6 miles. Pets are not allowed on any of the hiking trails in the park.