Entry No. 36 — the Sacramento file — filed under: glow
Effie Yeaw Nature Center — Moths and Other Insects of the Night
Tucked in the American River Parkway's oak woodland, this nature center runs an after-dark program built entirely around what shows up at a blacklight after sundown — moths and other night insects drawn in from the riverside dark, examined instead of ignored.
The story
Most visitors hit Ancil Hoffman Park for daylight trail walks or the golf course, leaving the oak woodland along the American River Parkway to quiet down as twilight hits. Effie Yeaw Nature Center flips the script after dark with its "Moths and Other Insects of the Night" program, setting up ultraviolet blacklights deep in the parkway's darkness to pull in whatever is crawling or flying through the oak canopy.
It is a surprisingly hypnotic setup. The UV glow draws in everything from micro-moths and heavy-bodied beetles to lacewings that would otherwise spend their entire lives unobserved in the oak brush. Instead of brushing them away from a porch bulb, you stand in the dark while naturalists break down the wing patterns and subtle behaviors of creatures drawn out of the riverside brush, turning a suburban nature preserve into an after-hours entomological stakeout.
What it's like
Plan to register well ahead online—this is a scheduled, capacity-limited session rather than a walk-in gig. Arrive while there is still ambient light to walk the trail down toward the river before heading over to the blacklight sheets. Bring a red-lens flashlight for walking back to your car without killing your night vision, wear layers for the river-valley chill, and do not panic about swarms: the insects are almost entirely focused on the illuminated sheets, not on you.
The move: Register ahead for the evening "Moths and Other Insects of the Night" program, then walk the riverside nature trail in the last daylight before the blacklight session starts — a genuinely odd date for anyone who'd rather look at moths than stars.
- 📍 Ancil Hoffman Park, Carmichael
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael, CA 95608
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Rafa Sauna Lounge — Trade the cool night air along the American River Parkway for a structured, four-phase sweat session in nearby Citrus Heights.
- Museum of Medical History — Swap live nocturnal insect science along the river for preserved medical artifacts and valley healthcare history in East Sacramento.
- The Honey Throne Detox Spa — Pair an evening staring at blacklit night flyers with a targeted herbal steam treatment over in Arden-Arcade.
Good to know
Do I need to sign up in advance?
Yes. The program requires pre-registration through the Effie Yeaw Nature Center website before you show up.
Where is the nature center located?
Inside Ancil Hoffman Park at 2850 San Lorenzo Way in Carmichael, tucked into the oak woodland along the American River Parkway.
What should I bring for an after-dark insect program?
Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes for trail walking, bring warm layers for the nighttime temperature drop near the river, and pack a flashlight (preferably red-light capable) for the walk back.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site
last checked: 2026-07-20