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333 N. Hill Circle

Rochester Hills, MI

48307



Classes

You can easily sign up for all of our classes and programs online: PLEASE DO NOT USE A CELL PHONE TO REGISTER, THE SYSTEMS WORKS BEST WITH COMPUTERS OR TABLETS.


Find the class you'd like to sign up for and click registerFill out the required info, complete payment, and your spot is secure to partake in the fantastic learning opportunities that Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve has to offer.


Please note: If the register box isn't visible for a certain class or event registration may not be open to the public yet or the class may be full. Payments are required at the time of registration to secure your spot so please have your credit or debit card ready when registering for a class or event.  Payment is done through our payment processor, Paypal, but you DO NOT need to have a Paypal Account, when taken to the pay screen - simply choose to continue by paying by credit card option. 


Refund policy: full refund if class or field trip is canceled by DHNP. If registrant withdraws at least 7 days week in advance of program start date a refund minus $5 processing fee will be given, 14 days or more notice, full refund. No refunds will be made after the one week advance deadline.


Upcoming events

    • 05 Dec 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Lost Lake Nature Park, Nature Center

    Registration links are to Oakland Township’s own website (see below). Please contact them directly if you have any questions about registration  248-651-7810

    Registration link to Oakland Township’s website is:

    https://oaklandtwpmi.gov/parks-recreation/program-registration/


    • 07 Dec 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • 333 N Hill Circle, Rochester, Michigan 48307
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Spruced Up Centerpieces    December 7, 10-11:30am

    Suggested Ages 8+

    Individuals:  Members $4 per person   Non-Members $6 per person

    Family Pricing:  Members $12 per family    Non-Members $15 per family

    Discover the coniferous trees native to Michigan before using harvested portions of some of them to craft a holiday centerpiece. We'll taste pine tea and have a tree shaped cookie.

    • 12 Dec 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 11
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 13 Dec 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Lost Lake Park, 846 Lost Lake Trail, Oakland Twp MI

    Lost Lake Open House - Deer Days(All Ages)- Lost Lake Park, 846 Lost Lake Trail, Oakland Twp, MI   Noon-3pm

    We'll assemble reindeer antler headbands, search for deer signs in the field, and feel the pelts of whitetail deer, elk and caribou.  

    Sponsored by Oakland Township Parks and Rec Commission.

    This FREE open house is offered by Oakland Township Parks and Rec Commission.  If you have any questions please call them directly at 248-651-7810


    • 18 Dec 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 3rd Thursday of the month

    At this program, we’ll read a story, eat a snack, and make a craft that matches the theme. ($6/4 per child per session) Suggested Ages 3-5  

     


    • 26 Dec 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 10
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 28 Dec 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Lost Lake Park, 846 Lost Lake Trail, Oakland Twp MI

    Lost Lake Open House - Deer Days(All Ages)- Lost Lake Park, 846 Lost Lake Trail, Oakland Twp, MI   Noon-3pm

    Compare the tracks of elk, moose, whitetail deer and caribou and stamp them on a bandana to take home. See if you can follow the footsteps on a deer path around the park.   

    Sponsored by Oakland Township Parks and Rec Commission.

    This FREE open house is offered by Oakland Township Parks and Rec Commission.  If you have any questions please call them directly at 248-651-7810


    • 31 Dec 2025
    • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 31
    Register

    Is midnight just too late for you? Count down to the other 12:00 with us! We'll have sparkling juices available for our toast after the balloon drop at 12:00:00. 

    Doors open at 11:00 am for general nature center exhibit prior to balloon drop. Craft supplies available to make your own New Year's hat or noisemaker.

    • 09 Jan 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 10 Jan 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve
    • 20
    Register

    Winter Seed Sowing Workshop January 10th

    ($20 ) Presented by Rochester Pollinators 

    Michigan native seeds do best when sown in the winter. This workshop will teach you everything you need to know to create a mini-greenhouse that can be placed outside to germinate and sprout the seeds for spring planting. All supplies you need to sow two native types of native plant seeds will be included. More supplies are available for an additional $5 fee.


    • 10 Jan 2026
    • 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    Register

    What's the Duck? Waterfowl ID   Jan 10th  4:30pm


    Join our naturalist for a presentation of ducks that can be seen in Michigan, some year round and some only seasonally. Paint a rubber duck of your own to match an existing duck species or imagine a duck of your own.








    • 15 Jan 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 3rd Thursday of the month

    At this program, we’ll read a story, eat a snack, and make a craft that matches the theme. ($6/4 per child per session) Suggested Ages 3-5  

     


    • 17 Jan 2026
    • 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 12
    Register

    Mugging for Foxes - a Paint & Learn Class - Adults and youth 5 & up accompanied by participating adult

    Join us at Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve for a creative and educational experience! Whimsy Art Studio will be onsite to lead a ceramic mug-painting class, guiding participants as they design and decorate their very own fox-themed mug. While you tap into your artistic side, a Dinosaur Hill naturalist will share fascinating information about the fox species that call Michigan home.

    All supplies and step-by-step instruction are included. After the class, Whimsy Art Studio will take the mugs back to their facility for firing. Your finished creations will be ready for pickup at Dinosaur Hill a few weeks later.

    January 17, 2026   5-6:30pm

    Cost: $32 per person*

    *This is a fundraising event and a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve.

     

    • 23 Jan 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 24 Jan 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve
    • 20
    Register

    Winter Seed Sowing Workshop January 24th

    ($20) Presented by Rochester Pollinators 

    Michigan native seeds do best when sown in the winter. This workshop will teach you everything you need to know to create a mini-greenhouse that can be placed outside to germinate and sprout the seeds for spring planting. All supplies you need to sow two native types of native plant seeds will be included. More supplies are available for an additional $5 fee.


    • 25 Jan 2026
    • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, Michigan 48307
    • 12
    Register

    Owl Prowl   January 25 4-6pm

    All Ages ($6/$4 per person or $15/$12 per family)

    Join us for a fun night of discovering whooo you might hear in Michigan of our native owls. Explore the adaptations that make owls so fascinating, and then stroll along the trail keeping your ears open as we try to attract owl attention.

     



     


    • 26 Jan 2026
    • 18 May 2026
    • 14 sessions
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    Register

    Plants 

    Jan 26, 2026 What are plants? What are their needs? How are their needs met? Learn plant parts & lifecycle. Take a look inside their cells. 

    Feb 2, 2026 Native Wildflower winter sowing. Michigan wildflowers spend their winter underground, give their seeds a head start by making a milk jug greenhouse.

    Feb 9, 2026 Coniferous Trees. We’ll be discussing evergreen trees and searching the trails for some of their fragrant foliage. Discover different ways evergreens are used- they’re more than just holiday decorations!

    Feb 23, 2026 Maple Madness! Help identify maple trees and tap them so we can collect the sap. We’ll go over identifying maples from other Michigan trees, why sap runs, and distinguishing different types of maple trees. Enjoy a sample of maple syrup made from sap collected here at Dinosaur Hill!

    March 2, 2026 Deciduous Trees. Now that we know our maples, we’ll learn a more interesting leafy trees by leaf, bud, and bark. Make a booklet of leaf and bark rubbings.

    March 9, 2026 Plant Art. Make a flower press so you can dry out flowers and leaves. Use pressed flowers to make a craft.

    March 16, 2026 Gardening. Learn how to read a seed packet and plan a garden. Then we’ll start some seeds inside.

    April 6, 2026 Pollination & Seed Dispersal. Play a pollination game to illustrate how pollen moves from plant to plant. Test some seeds to decide how each reaches its destination.

    April 13, 2026 Hazardous Plants. Discover which plants you should stay away from! Compare poison ivy with other leaves of three. Raise your awareness of other plants not to touch.

    April 20, 2026 Shrubs/Vines. From one hairy vine, let’s identify some more. Walk the trails and search for vines and shrubs to identify.

    April 27, 2026 Flowers. Dissect real flowers to find the parts inside that make seeds. Hit the trails looking for the first spring wildflowers.

    May 4, 2026 Compost. What happens when a plant dies? Help return those nutrients to the soil through composting. Today we’ll discover how to compost and add it to the beds in the children’s garden.

    May 11, 2026 Invasive Species. Invasive plants outcompete the plants that belong in this forest. Help us find and pull garlic mustard and dame’s rocket here on the preserve.

    May 18, 2026 Carnivorous Plants. The most well-known bug eating plant is the Venus flytrap, but that’s just one of 5 main types. Learn about carnivorous plants from around the world, including the nine species that can be found in Oakland County, Michigan and the special relationships they sometimes form. Make a sundew terrarium to take home.


    • 08 Feb 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, Michigan 48307
    • 12
    Register

    Tree ID Hike   February 8  10-11:30am

    We’ll wander the trail looking at trees without leaves to learn about the different barks and branch patterns of our common native trees.

    All Ages ($6/$4 per person or $15/$12 per family)




     


    • 13 Feb 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 19 Feb 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 3rd Thursday of the month

    At this program, we’ll read a story, eat a snack, and make a craft that matches the theme. ($6/4 per child per session) Suggested Ages 3-5  

     


    • 27 Feb 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 07 Mar 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • 12
    Register

    Sap to Syrup! Saturday, March 7

    10am SESSION

    All Ages ($6/$4 per person or $15/$12 per family)

    Join us for a maple syrup boil over the campfire. We’ll walk along the trail identifying different types of maple trees, have a taste of sap straight from the trees, and discuss the process of making sap into syrup, candy, and sugar. Have a taste of some maple products.



    • 07 Mar 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • 12
    Register

    Sap to Syrup! Saturday, March 7

    12 PM SESSION

    All Ages ($6/$4 per person or $15/$12 per family)

    Join us for a maple syrup boil over the campfire. We’ll walk along the trail identifying different types of maple trees, have a taste of sap straight from the trees, and discuss the process of making sap into syrup, candy, and sugar. Have a taste of some maple products.



    • 07 Mar 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
    • 12
    Register

    Sap to Syrup! Saturday, March 7

    2 PM SESSION

    All Ages ($6/$4 per person or $15/$12 per family)

    Join us for a maple syrup boil over the campfire. We’ll walk along the trail identifying different types of maple trees, have a taste of sap straight from the trees, and discuss the process of making sap into syrup, candy, and sugar. Have a taste of some maple products.



    • 08 Mar 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • 12
    Register

    Sap to Syrup!     March 8th

    10am SESSION

    All Ages ($6/$4 per person or $15/$12 per family)

    Join us for a maple syrup boil over the campfire. We’ll walk along the trail identifying different types of maple trees, have a taste of sap straight from the trees, and discuss the process of making sap into syrup, candy, and sugar. Have a taste of some maple products.



    • 08 Mar 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • 12
    Register

    Sap to Syrup!   March 8th

    12 PM SESSION

    All Ages ($6/$4 per person or $15/$12 per family)

    Join us for a maple syrup boil over the campfire. We’ll walk along the trail identifying different types of maple trees, have a taste of sap straight from the trees, and discuss the process of making sap into syrup, candy, and sugar. Have a taste of some maple products.



    • 08 Mar 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
    • 12
    Register

    Sap to Syrup!     March 8th

    2 PM SESSION

    All Ages ($6/$4 per person or $15/$12 per family)

    Join us for a maple syrup boil over the campfire. We’ll walk along the trail identifying different types of maple trees, have a taste of sap straight from the trees, and discuss the process of making sap into syrup, candy, and sugar. Have a taste of some maple products.



    • 13 Mar 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 19 Mar 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 3rd Thursday of the month

    At this program, we’ll read a story, eat a snack, and make a craft that matches the theme. ($6/4 per child per session) Suggested Ages 3-5  

     


    • 22 Mar 2026
    • 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    Register

    Ecology Game Night   March 22nd  4:30pm

    An adult game night playing the game Ecology and building ecosystems & community (snacks provided).







    • 27 Mar 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 28 Mar 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, 333 N Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 30
    Register

    Campfire

    Enjoy a campfire with s’mores, a myth about How Maple Syrup Was Discovered, and a craft.

    $4 member individual/$12 member family

    $6 non-member individual/$15 per non member family    All ages.






    • 29 Mar 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, 333 N Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 20
    Register

    March 29th     10am session

    Many animals lay eggs, explore different types of eggs you might see here in Michigan. Then go for an egg hunt through the trail and at the dinosaur dig for tickets to redeem for prizes.


    • 10 Apr 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 10 Apr 2026
    • 08 May 2026
    • 5 sessions
    Register

    Fishing Fridays Drop-Off Program ($50 per child for 5 classes)

    Fridays  April 10, 17, 24, May 1 and May 8   Grades 2-5

    4:30-6pm

    Beginner fisherfolk can join us for fun with fins! Learn about the parts of different types of fishing rods, identify different types of freshwater fish, what baits to use with which fish, try your hand at tying flies, and cast a line in the creek whenever the weather cooperates.  One session may take place at Rochester Municipal Park, date to be determined.


    • 10 Apr 2026
    • 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 12
    Register

    Geology Dig   April 10th   4:30pm

    Join us for a brief presentation inside that rocks! Practice identifying different minerals before searching through the sand for some specimens of your own. Before heading home, you can choose one of your found pieces to turn into a pendant.

    Members $4 per child

    Non-Members $6 per child



     


    • 16 Apr 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 3rd Thursday of the month

    At this program, we’ll read a story, eat a snack, and make a craft that matches the theme. ($6/4 per child per session) Suggested Ages 3-5  

     


    • 22 Apr 2026
    • 20 May 2026
    • 5 sessions
    • Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve
    • 12
    Register

    Planting Pizza - Grades 2-7 Drop off program

    An introduction to square foot gardening, a healthy pizza snack, and a good starter pack of seedlings to grow into pizza toppings each week.


    • 24 Apr 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 24 Apr 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, 333 N Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 30
    Register

    Campfire

    Enjoy a campfire with s’mores, a myth about How The Constellations Were Formed, and a craft.

    $4 member individual/
    $12 member family

    $4 member individual/$12 member family

    $6 non-member individual/$15 per non member family    All ages.

    Join us for a  





    • 02 May 2026
    • 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    Register

    Beginning Binoculars Bird Walk  May 2  8am

    For those just getting into birding, we’ll learn the basics of using binoculars to sight our feathered friends and take a walk to see who’s flown into the park.

    $6/$4 for DH members

    • 08 May 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 08 May 2026
    • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    • 20
    Register

    Bat Chat Friday May 8, 8-9:30 pm All Ages

    ($6/$4 individual or  $15/$12 family)

    We’ll discuss the only flying mammals in the world–  1,500 species of bats– including the 9 local bats found in Michigan, and their relatives everywhere except Antarctica. We’ll use night vision binoculars and an echometer touch to both see and hear bats in the woods.

    • 21 May 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 3rd Thursday of the month

    At this program, we’ll read a story, eat a snack, and make a craft that matches the theme. ($6/4 per child per session) Suggested Ages 3-5  

     


    • 22 May 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 333 North Hill Circle
    • 12
    Register

    10-11 am Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month

    We combine a story with related Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &/or Math activities.

     


    • 22 May 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, 333 N Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
    • 30
    Register

    Campfire

    Enjoy a campfire with s’mores, a myth about How Beaver Got His Tail, and a craft.

    $4 member individual/$12 member family

    $6 non-member individual/$15 per non member family    All ages.






    • 06 Jun 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • Dinosaur Hill Nature Center
    Register

    River Day Sunday, June 6 10am-2pm

    All Ages FREE (but we still need you to register) 

    Meander along our trails and stop at our River Day stations to discover what our waterways do for us, and how we can help them. Discover how Trout Unlimited creates fish habitat in the creek. Visit the Rochester Pollinators to learn about the role of native plants along the river. Take part in the 60-second invasive species removal challenge. Bring water shoes (or borrow ours) to get in the water and dip net for macroinvertebrates, try your hand at water quality testing, and create a Gyotaku fish print.





HOURS:    Tue/Wed/Thur:  Groups by Appointment

                    Fri:  1pm-5pm     Sat/Sun:  12pm-5pm

Email us for best service

info@dinosaurhill.org

Office: (248) 656-0999

Address:
333 North Hill Circle
Rochester, MI 48307

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