Explore Homer’s Coastal Wilds — Guided Nature Tours, Camps & Workshops

Discover tidepool creatures, ridge hikes, crane walks, and immersive teen eco-camps led by trained naturalists.

Featured Tours & Programs

Hands-on experiences across harbor, preserves, and the Wynn Nature Center for all ages and skill levels.

Creatures of the Dock Tour

Discover the vibrant marine and birdlife of Alaska's coast on the Creatures of the Dock Tour in Homer. This guided experience offers unforgettable wildlife encounters and environmental insights. Keep reading to learn more about this unique Alaskan adventure!

Creatures of the Dock Tour

wildlife nature

Homer, Alaska

Homer

Explore Wildcrafting Workshops at Homer’s Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Discover how to forage and create unique art with natural materials during weekly wildcrafting workshops at Inspiration Ridge Preserve near Homer, Alaska. Immerse yourself in 700 acres of wilderness and learn hands-on techniques like bead-making and cyanotype printing.

Explore Wildcrafting Workshops at Homer’s Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Homer

Explore the Wild at Teen EcoAdventure Camp 2025: Alaska’s Ultimate Summer Outdoor Experience

Discover Alaska’s Teen EcoAdventure Camp 2025, an unmatched summer experience blending outdoor thrills with ecological education. For teens aged 13–15, it’s a chance to explore coastal wilderness, learn conservation skills, and forge unforgettable summer memories.

Homer

Explore Alaska's Inspiration Ridge Preserve: Guided Wildlife Hikes Above Homer

Discover Alaska’s Inspiration Ridge Preserve on a guided hike through forests, bogs, and meadows overlooking Kachemak Bay. Learn about local wildlife and conservation on this unique wilderness tour near Homer.

Explore Alaska's Inspiration Ridge Preserve: Guided Wildlife Hikes Above Homer

Homer

Teen EcoAdventure Camp Alaska: 10 Days of Outdoor Learning and Wild Exploration

Discover the Teen EcoAdventure Camp in Alaska: a 10-day immersive journey for teens exploring wilderness, sustainable food systems, and coastal ecosystems. Join this unique summer camp for hiking, fishing, kayaking, and hands-on environmental education.

Whittier

Montague Island Cleanups: Join the Frontline in Restoring Alaska’s Wild Shores

Montague Island faces one of the nation’s worst coastal debris crises. Join dedicated volunteers on a week-long cleanup expedition in Alaska’s Gulf, removing tons of marine trash while experiencing rugged wilderness and community conservation.

Homer

Explore Alaskan Fungi: Mushroom Identification & Mycology Workshop in Homer

Discover the diverse fungi of Southcentral Alaska in this two-day Mushroom Identification & Mycology Workshop near Homer. Led by expert Christin Swearingen, explore Alaskan mushrooms through hands-on fieldwork and expert instruction in the stunning Wynn Nature Center.

Homer

Knee High Naturalists | Events in Homer | Eco Tour

Discover the breathtaking coastal ecosystems of Alaska with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. Dive into tidepools, see nesting seabirds, and learn about conservation from expert naturalists.

Knee High Naturalists | Events in Homer | Eco Tour

Homer

Wildlife Nature Adventure with Trackers at Wynn Nature Center

Discover the wilderness of Alaska through the eyes of young wildlife detectives. Join the Trackers program at Wynn Nature Center for hands-on tracking and wildlife discovery this summer!

Wildlife Nature Adventure with Trackers at Wynn Nature Center

Homer

Wildlife & Nature Program at Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

Join the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies for an engaging summer program on Homer Spit, where kids can discover marine life, seabirds, and coastal ecosystems through hands-on activities and expert-led explorations.

Wildlife & Nature Program at Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

About the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies connects people to the coastal ecosystems around Homer, Alaska through guided field programs, habitat stewardship, and environmental education. Based in Homer, the organization manages Inspiration Ridge Preserve (693 acres) and the Wynn Nature Center (140 acres) and offers a year-round calendar of guided experiences led by trained naturalists and experienced volunteers.

Programs include Harbor ecology walks (Creatures of the Dock), seasonal Crane Walks guided by Kachemak Crane Watch co-founder Nina Faust, Wildcrafting workshops on Inspiration Ridge, guided snowshoeing in winter (limited to 10 participants), and a 10-day Teen EcoAdventure Camp focused on backcountry skills, food systems, and hands-on stewardship. Day hikes, special tours, and teen trail-building sessions (Trails for Teens, ages 13–16) add practical conservation learning and outdoor skills.

Educational emphasis, small group sizes, and partnerships with local conservation organizations reinforce safety and credibility. Interpretive programming blends natural history, species identification, cultural stories, and practical skills like berry harvesting and salmon fishing. Facilities include miles of maintained trails, viewing platforms, and accessible routes at the Wynn Nature Center and Inspiration Ridge.

Participation supports local conservation efforts, community science, and crane education in Homer. All programs are designed for a wide range of ages and experience levels, with clear age recommendations and safety policies for camps and specialized activities. The Center's record of long-running public programs, trained guides, and land stewardship demonstrates a reliable, educational choice for visitors seeking authentic Alaskan coastal experiences.

Program schedules, registration details, and accessibility information are available online year-round for visitors.

Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies fleet

Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies — Homer, Alaska

Explore guided hikes, harbor ecology tours, crane walks, wildcrafting, snowshoeing, and a 10-day teen eco-camp in the Kachemak Bay region. The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies operates year-round programs focused on conservation, education, and immersive outdoor experiences in Homer, AK.

Popular Experiences and Keywords

Creatures of the Dock Tour — one-hour tidepool and marine invertebrate walking tours at Homer Harbor. Ideal for families and marine biology enthusiasts seeking hands-on learning.
Inspiration Ridge Preserve Guided Tours — explore 693 acres of diverse ecosystems with trained naturalists. Learn local plant uses, wildlife habitat, and conservation history.
Wildcrafting Workshops — forage and create nature-inspired art using materials from the 700-acre preserve; activities include bead-making and cyanotype printing.
Crane Walks — led by Nina Faust (Kachemak Crane Watch co-founder) to observe sandhill cranes during pre-migration gatherings.
Guided Snowshoeing — winter wildlife hikes limited to 10 participants for an intimate experience across the preserve.
Wynn Nature Center Admission & Hikes — explore 140 acres and over five miles of trails, viewing platforms, and peatlands.
Teen EcoAdventure Camp (10-day) — backcountry camping, hiking, berry harvesting, salmon fishing, and a curriculum connecting ecosystems to food systems.
Trails for Teens — sustainable trail building and ecology education for ages 13–16.

Why Visitors Choose These Homer, AK Tours

Local expertise: trained naturalists and long-running public programs provide reliable interpretation of local ecology.
Diverse seasons: offerings include summer ridge hikes and winter snowshoeing for year-round nature access.
Hands-on learning: tidepool exploration, wildcrafting, and camp activities emphasize tactile, experiential education.
Conservation impact: participation supports community science, habitat stewardship, and crane education in Kachemak Bay.

Booking & Practical Info

Small group sizes and clear age recommendations ensure safe, educational experiences for families and teens.
Seasonal scheduling: many tours run only in specific months—check availability early for popular Crane Walks and the Teen EcoAdventure Camp.
Accessibility: Wynn Nature Center offers maintained trails and viewing platforms; guided programs include safety briefings and gear recommendations.

Keywords to find these experiences

Homer Alaska tours, Inspiration Ridge Preserve hikes, Wynn Nature Center hiking, tidepool tours Homer, crane walks Kachemak Bay, Alaska teen eco camp, wildcrafting workshops, guided snowshoeing Alaska, marine invertebrate tours, sustainable trail building for teens.

Plan a Visit

Visitors seeking authentic Alaskan coastal experiences should prioritize advance reservations for seasonal programs, review age and gear requirements, and consider multi-day participation like the Teen EcoAdventure Camp for deeper immersion. These guided tours and educational programs provide memorable wildlife viewing, hands-on learning, and support for local conservation efforts in Homer, AK.

Reserve an Alaskan Coastal Adventure Today

Book harbor walks, guided ridge hikes, workshops, or the Teen EcoAdventure Camp — limited spots and seasonal schedules.