Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association
Upcoming Events
Nature Walk
Saturday 11/14/2026 8:30 AMThe final guided nature walk of 2026 at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will be held on Saturday, November 14, at 8:30 a.m. The Guided Walk will provide an opportunity to observe wildlife at the park and learn about their natural habitat, as well as to learn about the natural and cultural history and geology of the area.
The walk will be led by Volunteer State Parks Docent and California Naturalist Henry Bornstein. Henry is a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association and has been leading guided nature walks at the park for almost 20 years.
Immediately after the guided nature walk, there will be an opportunity to tour the historic Anderson Ranch House
The walk will begin at 8:30am. Meet in the parking lot at 8:15am for an opportunity to observe the birds and other wildlife found in the picnic area. The walks take between 1½ and 3 hours, depending on the route taken. Steady rain will cancel the walk. Dogs are not allowed on the park trails.
The park is located in Lake County at the southeast corner of Clear Lake, the largest natural lake completely within the borders of California and the oldest lake in North America. The park entrance is between Lower Lake and the City of Clearlake on Highway 53.
Christmas at the Ranch
Saturday 12/12/2026 10:00 AM to 2:00 PMThe 30-year traditional Christmas event at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is back!
After a 7-year pause caused by the COVID-19 shutdown, evacuation of the historic Anderson Ranch House due to the Clayton Fire, and an extensive repair project to the interior of the Ranch House, the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) will again host its annual Victorian "Christmas at the Ranch" open house at the historic Anderson Ranch House at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.
A community tradition for over 30 years, this year's event will take place on Saturday, December 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is free to the public. The Ranch House will be warmed by cheery wood fires and the Christmas tree setup up in the Ranch House parlor will have Victorian-style decorations.
This family-friendly Christmas event features local musicians singing and playing Christmas carols. The atmosphere is casual and friendly and visitors are encourage to sing along. Visitors can sit by the fire, sing Christmas carols and enjoy Christmas refreshments including coffee, hot cider, tea and delicious cookies.
The event includes a visit by Santa for children of all ages.
This event has been a favorite holiday event for many families, and AMIA is pleased to bring it back this year. The public is warmly invited to enjoy the atmosphere of the cozy Ranch House at the park, with crackling fires in both the dining room and the parlor, delicious holiday goodies, and AMIA Board members and State Park docents and interpreters on hand to answer questions about the park and the Ranch House, and how Christmas was celebrated in Victorian days.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located off of Highway 53 between Lower Lake and Clearlake.
First Day Hike!
Friday 01/01/2027 12:00 PMJoin us at noon on January 1st for a free, community hike at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. Part of the America's State Parks First Day Hikes program, the First Day Hike offers individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year by taking a healthy hike on January 1st at a state park close to home.
The New Year's Day hike will be led by State Parks Interpreters and volunteer State Park docents associated with the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA). The event offers wonderful opportunity to start the New Year right by getting outside, enjoying nature and welcoming the New Year with friends and family on January 1st.
More information HERE.
Participants can choose between two routes. The first hike will be a leisurely trip to the end of the Dawa Qanoq'ana trail. (Formerly known as the McVicar trail, "Dawa Qanoq'ana" means "south way in front of me" in the Pomo language.) This hike will go from the parking lot to the shores of Clear Lake across from Indian Island. This is a round-trip of about 7 miles of mainly flat terrain, with the first about .3 miles being accessible. This hike should take about 3 hours, depending on how many times we stop to admire what we see along the way.
The second shorter hike covers a 3-1/2 mile loop over the Cache Creek, Marsh and Ridge trails, with the first about .5 miles being accessible. This hike should take about 2 hours.
The New Year's Day hikes will be led by State Parks Interpreters and State Parks volunteer docents associated with the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA). The event offers a wonderful opportunity to begin the New Year right by getting outside, enjoying nature and welcoming the New Year with friends and family on January 1.
Hikers will experience grasslands, oak woodlands, willow and cottonwood riparian habitats, and the tule marsh habitat of the Anderson Marsh Natural Preserve and may encounter a variety of migrating and resident birds and other wildlife.
Both hikes begin at noon at the park off Hwy 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake. Children of all ages are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Hikers should bring water and snacks, binoculars if they have them, and a hat for protection against the weather. Sturdy shoes that can handle a little mud are recommended. Participants on both hikes are welcome to walk part way and make an early return at their own pace.
No dogs are allowed on these trails, which pass through the Anderson Marsh Natural Preserve. The routes to be taken will depend upon the amount of rain we have been experiencing before New Year's Day. Heavy rain will cancel the walks.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, off Hwy 53 between Lower Lake and Clearlake.