Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California will offer a variety of ranger-guided activities during the Memorial Day weekend. Activities will include the ever-popular kayak programs, a “Walk-in-Time” excursion at the Tower House Historic District, and Stand-Up Paddleboard programs.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and the Friends of Whiskeytown invite visitors to join them for the 5th Annual Harvest Festival on September 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park's Tower House Historic District. This fun and family-friendly event will feature apple tasting, an apple-themed bake-off contest, hand-operated apple press demonstration, games and gold panning for all ages, and tours of the historic Camden House and orchards.

Looking for a change of pace for your late autumn schedule? Here's a sampling of upcoming special events in several parks around the country.

It's tough to beat a warm summer day at one of the swim beaches at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in Northern California: sun, sand, scenery, and…no tobacco smoke? The park is considering making the four designated swimming beaches free of tobacco smoking. Have an opinion? The park is holding a public meeting to gather comments.