Table Rocks Management Area

The 4,864-acre Table Rocks Management Area is cooperatively owned and administered by the BLM Medford District (2,105 acres) and The Nature Conservancy (2,759 acres). Memorandums of Understanding signed in 2011 and 2012 with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians allow for coordinating resources to protect the Table Rocks for present and future generations. A cooperative management plan for the area was completed in 2013.

Environmental Education Program

The Table Rock Environmental Education program began nearly 40 years ago and marked the beginning of a partnership between the Bureau of Land Management and The Nature Conservancy. In the first few years, less than 100 individuals participated in guided hikes. Today, the BLM environmental educators host thousands of teachers, parents, and other participating groups on guided hikes to the summit.

There are two types of programs offered at Table Rocks:

Guided School Group Hikes

Table Rocks Guided Hike Programs Suspended for Spring 2025

Unfortunately, due to budget and staffing cuts, we are not able to offer any guided hikes for school groups at the Table Rocks for the Spring 2025 season. While we understand this may be disappointing, we are doing everything we can to manage the area with the resources that are available to us.

If you plan to bring your students on your own to hike Table Rocks, you must register your group in order to keep the number of visitors on the trail at a manageable number. Contact the program coordinator Molly Allen at [email protected], (o) 541-618-2468 or (c) 541-613-6563 for available dates.

Once your hike is scheduled, you will receive an information packet that includes helpful tips and support materials to assist you in leading your own hike.

Guided Weekend Hikes for the Public

The weekend hikes for the public are organized by both the BLM and the Nature Conservancy. A few weeks prior to the public hikes, the schedules are advertised in local newspapers and online, providing a brief description of themes including specialties such as archaeology, botany, geology, and much more! Weekend hikes occur in April, May, and June. Please consult the Spring Hikes Program tab below for the full schedule.

Know Before You Go

The Table Rocks offer a unique and challenging educational environment. The success of your hike is of utmost concern to us. Please read and follow these important Table Rock field trip requirements:

• Please review Table Rock material with your students before their hike. Groups prepared before their hike will learn more and be more engaged throughout the day.
• Advise and prepare group members to give hike leaders their undivided attention and respect. Remind students this is a school day and their hike is just another type of learning environment. Students are required to maintain the same level of attention and respect as is expected of them in their regular classroom.
• Discipline is not the responsibility of the BLM Hike Leader. Leaders will set specific ground rules at the beginning of the hike, but discipline is the responsibility of the teacher and chaperones.
• Groups will be limited to one classroom per BLM guide and, for safety reasons, must include at least one parent chaperone/volunteer for every 10 students along with the classroom teacher or the program lead. No substitute teachers please. If you are unable to supply the correct number of chaperones, your hike will be cancelled.
• Hikers need to be properly equipped. Please review the “What to Bring on your Table Rock Hike” sheet to ensure the safety of your group.

See you at the trailhead!

Spring Hikes Program

Weekend Hike Schedule

For more information or to sign up for a spot, please contact the Medford District Bureau of Land Management Office at 541-618-2200, Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 PM or leave a message if outside operating hours.

Saturday, April 11 — Upper Table Rock — 9:00 AM
Nature Rocks! Join botanist Chamise Kramer and Molly Allen, BLM environmental education specialist, for a family-friendly general information hike on Upper Table Rock. This engaging walk will explore a little bit of everything—wildflowers, ethnobotany, geology, wildlife, ecology, and the rich cultural history of the Table Rocks. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime fan, there’s always something new to discover. Bring your curiosity and your sense of adventure!

Sunday, April 12 — Lower Table Rocks — 9:00 AM
Oaks, Fire, and Restoration at Table Rocks: Join Aubrey May, Southwest Oregon Preserve and Forest Manager at The Nature Conservancy, and members of the Klamath-Siskiyou Oak Network, for a guided hike exploring the remarkable oak ecosystems of Table Rocks. Participants will learn how fire, climate, and land management have shaped these landscapes and how collaborative restoration efforts are helping sustain oak woodlands and the wildlife that depend on them. Along the trail, we’ll explore the ecology of oak communities, discuss the impacts of fire suppression and invasive species, and share how regional partners are working together to restore resilient oak habitats through stewardship across public and private lands.

Saturday April 18 — Upper Table Rock — 9:00 AM
Layers of Time: Discover the ancient story written in stone at Upper Table Rock with Jad D’Allura, Southern Oregon University professor emeritus of geology, and Joni Brazier, U.S. Forest Service soil scientist. On this guided hike to the top of the mesa, you’ll explore the volcanic origins, unique geological formations, and distinctive soils that make the Table Rocks such a fascinating landscape. Gain a deeper appreciation for the natural forces that shaped this iconic feature of the Rogue Valley over millions of years.

Sunday April 19 — Upper Table Rock — 9:00 AM
Walk on the Wild Side: Join BLM wildlife biologists Eli Rose and Breanna Dimartino for a guided wildlife hike to discover the rich diversity of species that thrive here and explore the variety of habitats that support them—from oak woodlands to open grasslands and seasonal wetlands. Along the way, we’ll become wildlife detectives, searching for clues like tracks, scat, feathers, and nests while learning how animals adapt to the changing seasons of southern Oregon. This hike offers a chance to slow down, observe, and deepen your connection to the wild side of the Table Rocks.

Saturday April 25 — Lower Table Rock — 8:00 AM
For the Early Birds: Rise and shine for a spring birding adventure at Lower Table Rock! Join local experts Bob Quaccia of the Rogue Valley Audubon Society and Frank Lospalluto of the Klamath Bird Observatory to discover the diverse birdlife on the Table Rocks. Participants will learn bird identification tips, listening skills, and insights into ongoing conservation efforts. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them and be ready to greet the morning chorus. Participation is limited to 20 individuals.

Sunday April 26 — Upper Table Rock — 9:00 AM
Plants in Motion—Community Stewardship Day: Join BLM botanist Florinda Cardoso for a guided hike exploring the spring bloom at Upper Table Rock and the ways plant communities change over time. We’ll take a closer look at invasive species present on and around the mesa, how we define and think about them, and how they influence long-term ecosystem health. This hike goes beyond observation. Participants will have the opportunity to assist with light stewardship activities focused on reducing invasive plant impacts. No experience is necessary; materials and guidance will be provided.

Saturday May 2 — Upper Table Rock — 9:00 AM
Camp White: “The Alcatraz of Boot Camps”: Step back into the World War II era with BLM archaeologists Jennifer Sigler and Dakota Slaton as you explore the powerful history of Camp White. During the war, Southern Oregon served as a major training ground for U.S. troops preparing for deployment. Participants will visit the remains of the Camp White “Fortified Zone,” including concrete pillboxes once used for infantry training exercises. Because there is no trail, wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Limited to 15 individuals.

Sunday May 3 — Lower Table Rocks Loop — 9:30AM
Be Dazzled by Bees: Join BLM wildlife biologist Amanda Huffman and volunteer with the Oregon Bee Atlas and USFS wildlife biologist Izzy Vilella-Arnizaut for an up-close exploration of the buzzing world of native bees. Participants will get a chance to observe these incredible pollinators in action while learning about their behavior, ecology, and importance to the environment. Each participant will be taught the basics of safe catch and release and will have their own net and jar to observe them up close! Space is limited to 15 individuals, so don’t miss your chance to get “bee dazzled!” Limited to 15 individuals.

Saturday May 16 — Lower Table Rocks — 9:00 AM
Uncovering the Botanical Treasures of the Table Rocks: Join BLM botanist Karla Alvarado and Matt Dybala, President of the Siskiyou Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, for a guided botanical exploration where we’ll visit four distinct plant communities and learn the basics of botanical terminology, plant keying, and species identification. Along the way, we’ll discuss the ecological and geological forces that shape this landscape as well as the cultural and ethnobotanical history of the area. This hike offers excellent opportunities to see spring wildflowers, endemic species, and the unique flora of the vernal pools atop the plateau. With a bit of luck, we may encounter the threatened dwarf woolly meadowfoam, found only at the Table Rocks.

Saturday June 13 — Lower Table Rocks Loop — 8:30 PM
Table Rocks After Dark: Exploring Local Bat and Owl Ecology: Explore the nocturnal world of the Table Rocks on this half-mile evening hike with BLM wildlife biologist emeritus Steve Godwin and current BLM wildlife biologist Emma Busk. Learn about the fascinating adaptations and behaviors of local bats, owls, and other night-active creatures during a short pre-hike presentation. Along the way, you’ll learn fascinating facts about bats, their behaviors, and their vital role in the ecosystem. The biologists will attempt to lure pygmy, great horned, and screech owls—though no guarantees! Bring a flashlight, and wear sturdy shoes.

School Field Trip Group Hike Information

• Table Rocks Trail Map
• Pre-Hike Presentation for Elementary School
• What to Bring on Your Table Rock Hike
• What to Bring on Your Table Rock Hike (Spanish Version)
• To the Chaperones
• To the Chaperones (Spanish Version)
• Pre-K What To Bring
• Pre-K Chaperones Letter