The San Joaquin Valley is best known for its agricultural bounty, not its wilderness. But the region’s few untouched natural areas offer a unique look into the Golden State’s past, when open plains and untamed waterways once comprised a huge part of central California. An extensive wetland ecosystem is preserved at Los Banos Wildlife Area and the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge complex, creating a paradise for birdwatchers. Carrizo Plain, declared a national monument in 2000, is considered California’s largest nature preserve, containing thousands of acres of grassland prairie. Wildflowers carpet the grasslands in early spring, and thousands of sandhill cranes visit in the winter. Pronghorn antelope and tule elk roam year-round. In the San Joaquin Valley, a pair of binoculars and a sense of wonder are as necessary as hiking boots.
4 RAINBOW POOL AND CONFLUENCE TRAIL
6 CHESTER, SOUSA, AND WINTON MARSH TRAILS
9 COALINGA MINERAL SPRINGS NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL
12 CARRIZO PLAIN AND PAINTED ROCK
13 TULE ELK STATE NATURAL RESERVE
1.4 mi/1.0 hr
at New Melones Reservoir near Sonora
This short, easy trail leads from Parrotts Ferry Road to Natural Bridges, a unique series of limestone caves with Coyote Creek running through them. This geologic wonder is only a short drive from downtown Sonora, but it’s like nothing else around this Gold Rush town. The upper Natural Bridge is 270 feet high, and the clear water underneath it creates a popular locals’ swimming hole. Because Coyote Creek is spring-fed, the water is cool year-round. Most swimmers bring inner tubes with them so they can float through the cave. The rocky trail that accesses the upper bridge has a 300-foot elevation gain, but is easily accomplished by children and adults alike. Because it takes thousands of years to create the cave’s fragile formations, visitors are asked not to touch them. The oil on human hands can stop the formations from growing. A second bridge lies downstream from the upper bridge, accessible by a rough, unmaintained trail. If you are willing to walk the extra 0.5 mile to the lower bridge, you have a greater chance of solitude.
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A free map is available at the New Melones Visitors Center or by download at www.usbr.gov. For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Sonora.
Directions: From Highway 49 in Sonora, take the turnoff for Parrotts Ferry Road (signed for Columbia State Historic Park). Drive north on Parrotts Ferry Road for about seven miles, crossing the bridge over New Melones Reservoir, to the trailhead on the left side of the road (1.2 miles north of the highway bridge and four miles south of the Hwy. 4 junction).
Contact: New Melones Reservoir Visitors Center, Sonora, 209/536-9543 or 209/536-9094, www.usbr.gov.
3.0 mi/1.5 hr
at New Melones Reservoir near Jamestown
Wildflower lovers, this is your trail. The only trick is timing your visit for the exact period when Table Mountain is at its most colorful splendor. Of course, the timing of the bloom varies from year to year, so your best bet is to call the New Melones Visitors Center starting in late February to see how the flowers are coming along. When they say "go time," don’t wait too long. Some years the bloom is all over by late April, although Table Mountain’s high vistas are there for the taking at any time of year. From the pavement’s end at the yellow gate, the trail crosses through a grassy oak woodland dotted with basalt (volcanic) rocks. Straight ahead is Table Mountain, a 2,200-foot-high, 1,200-foot-wide, flat-topped plateau that juts upward from the surrounding lowlands. The plateau was formed by a lava flow about 10 million years ago, when a volcano erupted east of Sonora Pass. Its volcanic soil creates ideal conditions for vernal pools in February and March (look for fairy shrimp in the pools) and a colorful array of grassland wildflowers in April and May, including lupine, Indian paintbrush, blue dicks, and goldfields. Although this trail’s distance is short, the last 0.5 mile is slow-going because it requires a modicum of scrambling over rough volcanic rock. Be sure to wear sturdy boots or shoes.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A free map is available at the New Melones Visitors Center or by download at www.usbr.gov. For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Sonora.
Directions: From Highway 49 in Sonora, drive south for three miles to Jamestown, then turn right (north) on Rawhide Road. Drive two miles and turn left on Shell Road; follow Shell Road 1.8 miles (take the left fork) to the pavement’s end at a yellow gate across the road. The trail begins to the right of the gate. (You can choose to continue driving past the yellow gate for another mile on a dirt road, but a high-clearance vehicle may be necessary. This will shorten your hike considerably.)
Contact: New Melones Reservoir Visitors Center, Sonora, 209/536-9543 or 209/536-9094, www.usbr.gov.
5.0 mi/2.5 hr
near Chinese Camp and La Grange
Flower aficionados, check your calendar. Is it late March to early May? Then head for the Red Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern, the very long name for 11 square miles of gray-pine-studded Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the Sierra foothills. This is not a place you would ever want to visit in the heat of summer, but in early spring, the rocky landscape comes alive with color from coreopsis, five-spots, bird’s-eye gilia, fiddlenecks, goldfields, poppies, and other native wildflowers. The serpentine soil here supports a wide variety of plants, including seven that are rare and/or endangered. Keep an eye out for California verbena, which grows here and nowhere else in the world. It can be found near the stream that parallels Red Hills Road. Numerous loop hikes are possible in the preserve; a good starter hike is to set off on Soaproot Ridge Trail, then bear left and walk Overlook Loop to Verbena Loop. From there you can walk back to your car on Red Hills Road, or cross the road and walk back most of the way on Red Hills Trail, which parallels the road. As you hike, keep scanning the sky for bald eagles, which are fond of this area because of its proximity to huge Don Pedro Reservoir.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A free trail map can be downloaded at www.blm.gov/ca. For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Chinese Camp.
Directions: From Sonora, take Highway 49 south for 15 miles to Chinese Camp. Turn right (south) on Red Hills Road and drive one mile to the trailhead parking on the left.
Or, from Oakdale, drive east on Highway 108/120 for about 20 miles. Turn right on La Grange Road. Drive 1.5 miles and turn left on Red Hills Road. Drive 0.75 mile to the trailhead parking lot on the right side of the road.
Contact: Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office, El Dorado Hills, 916/941-3101, www.blm.gov/ca.
2.5 mi/1.5 hr
in Stanislaus National Forest near Groveland
While everybody else is hanging out at Rainbow Pool, a popular swimming hole and waterfall right off Highway 120, you can leave the thronging crowds behind by taking this short but steep hike to the confluence of the South Fork and Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River. Rainbow Pool is located on the south side of Highway 120, but you’ll park your car and start hiking on the north side, heading steeply downhill on an old dirt road known as the Confluence Trail, which parallels the cascading South Fork as it tumbles down a dramatic, rocky gorge. In the springtime, when the powerful Tuolumne is frothing with excess snowmelt, this canyon can really roar with noise. The watery extravaganza reaches a deafening crescendo at the canyon bottom, where the two forks of the river merge. This was once the site of the South Fork Tunnel Camp, one of the major construction sites for the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir system. The old road you are walking on was used to haul men and building materials back and forth to the camp. Where the road ends at a particularly scenic point in the narrow gorge, just retrace your steps back uphill. After a hot, sweaty ascent back to your car, you might just want to walk (or drive) over to Rainbow Pool and take a dip in its always refreshing waters.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A Stanislaus National Forest map is available from the U.S. Forest Service. For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Jawbone Ridge.
Directions: From Groveland, drive east on Highway 120 for 14 miles to the left turnoff for Cherry Lake Road. Turn left and then left again immediately. Drive about 100 yards and park in the dirt pullout just before the gate across the road. Walk past the gate and then turn right and follow the unsigned dirt road heading downhill.
Contact: Groveland Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland, 209/962-7825, www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus.
1.5 mi/0.5 hr
in Stanislaus National Forest near Greeley Hill
You could think of it as a neighborhood backyard swimming hole, except there’s no neighborhood anywhere nearby. Diana Falls is located not far from the towns of Groveland and Coulterville and within an hour’s drive of Yosemite National Park. But it’s not on the road to any of those places, so you won’t come across it by accident. It’s an out-of-the-way waterfall on Bean Creek, near its confluence with the North Fork Merced River. From the trailhead, hike along the west side of the river, following an old dirt road for 0.5 mile. Here the Merced River is a small, tame stream, with bunches of Indian rhubarb growing along its banks. The dirt road gets narrower as you walk. At a fork in the trail, bear right. You’ll leave the river and hike along the Bean Creek canyon. In just a few minutes, or about 250 yards, you’ll reach the brink of 20-foot-tall Diana Falls. Several spurs descend the slope to its base and to the many cool swimming holes that locals call Diana Pools. There may be no better place to spend a hot summer afternoon.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A Stanislaus National Forest map is available from the U.S. Forest Service. For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Groveland.
Directions: From Groveland, drive east on Highway 120 for seven miles to the right turnoff for Smith Station Road (also signed as County Road J132 to Coulterville). Turn right and drive 5.7 miles, then turn sharply left on Greeley Hill Road. Drive 4.2 miles to the trailhead, just before a one-lane bridge. The trail begins on the right at the gated dirt road signed as "Road Closed."
Contact: Groveland Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland, 209/962-7825, www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus.
4.0 mi/2.0 hr
in the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge north of Los Banos
The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge offers two main driving tours: the Tule Elk Auto Tour Loop and the Waterfowl Auto Tour Loop, and both are great opportunities for visitors to see wildlife. But if you want to get out of your car and on to your feet for a while, check out the three short hiking trails located off the 8.5-mile Waterfowl Auto Tour Loop. Walk all three, and you can easily chalk up about four miles of exercise. The trails lead to three different marsh areas, each with its own character.
As you drive the auto route, the first trailhead you reach is for the Chester Marsh Trail. It’s open for hiking only from February to September; from October to January, it is part of the refuge’s hunting area. It’s a one-mile loop, and you can pick up an interpretive brochure at the trailhead. After your walk, get back in your car and continue driving along the Waterfowl Auto Tour Route until you reach the trailhead for the Sousa Marsh. This area consists of an inner and outer loop trail through a canopy of riparian trees. The longest trail (1.2 miles) goes to the Sousa observation platform, with its telescope and benches. The 0.7-mile Winton Marsh Trail, located just beyond the Sousa Marsh parking lot, also leads to an observation platform and several benches situated slightly above the marsh, so you can pull out your binoculars and peer at the feathered fowl below. What will you see? The usual cabal: ducks, geese, moorhens, coots, pheasants, snipe, hawks, owls, egrets, herons, and even some rare types, like the endangered tricolored blackbird. In case you haven’t gotten the idea yet, this place is crawling with wildlife. Even while just driving around, we saw a coyote and about a zillion bunnies, in addition to numerous Swainson’s hawks.
User Groups: Hikers and dogs. No horses or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A free map is available at the refuge visitors center. For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Los Banos.
Directions: From Los Banos on Highway 152/33, drive north on Highway 165 (Mercey Springs Road) for 6.4 miles to Wolfsen Road. Bear right and follow Wolfsen Road for 2.5 miles into the National Wildlife Refuge. Follow the signs for the Waterfowl Auto Tour Loop.
Contact: San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, Los Banos, 209/826-3508, www.fws.gov/refuge/san_luis.
1.5 mi/1.0 hr
in the Merced National Wildlife Refuge southwest of Merced
It doesn’t seem like a 1.5-mile loop trail could offer much in the way of a pay-off, but you may be surprised by the rewards on the Meadowlark Trail. First off, it’s one of only two places in the Merced National Wildlife Refuge where you’re allowed to get out of your car and walk. Walking is prohibited in most of the preserve in order to reduce the disturbance to the thousands of geese and cranes that winter here. Driving your car along the Auto Tour Route is okay, though; it turns out that birds aren’t bothered much by cars. The Meadowlark Trail gives you a chance to stretch your legs within the wildlife refuge, which serves as a precious island of wildlife habitat in the midst of Merced’s vast agricultural fields. A thicket of tules, cattails, and willows in the refuge provides heavy cover for birds—particularly raptors, wintering shorebirds, and waterfowl. Because morning fog is common here in the winter months, bird-watching is often better at midday, when you may see concentrations of snow geese and Ross’s geese. Magnificent sandhill cranes also make an appearance in winter. The rest of the year, you’re more likely to see a variety of raptors. Barn owls are particularly common—one visitor saw 14 of them while walking this short loop. Great horned owls and a variety of hawks are also frequently sighted.
User Groups: Hikers and dogs. No horses or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: A free map is available at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Los Banos.
Directions: From Merced, take Highway 59 south for eight miles. Turn west on Sandy Mush Road and drive eight miles to the refuge entrance.
Contact: San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, Los Banos, 209/826-3508, www.fws.gov/refuge/merced.
5.0 mi/8.0 hr
on Los Banos Creek, in San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
You have to plan way in advance to take this unusual hike at Los Banos Creek Reservoir. That’s because the only way to go is in the company of a guide and via boat to the trailhead, and guided trips are offered only on weekends in February, March, and sometimes April. The trip has become so popular that it usually sells out as soon as reservations are available, which is typically January 2 each year. Don’t procrastinate on making your call for reservations. Although the hike itself is only five miles, the trip is an all-day affair, so don’t forget to bring plenty of water, snacks, and lunch. It begins at 8am with a boat ride down the long and narrow reservoir, which is set in a steep-walled canyon and is popular for fishing. At the reservoir’s far end, everyone gets off the boat and hikes 2.5 miles up the narrow canyon of Los Banos Creek, where old-growth sycamore groves and a cornucopia of spring wildflowers may be seen. Sturdy shoes are a must as the trail is rocky in places. As you walk, your guide will teach you about how the native Yokut Indians used the plants in this area, and you’ll see bedrock mortars that they used for pounding acorns and natural medicines. Bird-watchers may thrill to see a peregrine falcon or other cliff-dwelling species. If the conditions are right, the hike may include an optional climb to the top of a knoll that offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and the Coast Range. So why is this trail called the Path of the Padres? Because the fathers at Mission San Juan Bautista traveled along the creek in the early 19th century to evangelize the Yokut Indians of the Central Valley. Along the way, they often bathed in the creek, which is why the nearby town is named "Los Banos."
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: Reservations are required; call to reserve a space starting February 1. A $12 fee is charged for the reservation and guided tour (children must be at least 6 years old). An additional $8 day-use fee is charged per vehicle.
Maps: For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Los Banos Valley.
Directions: From I-5 at the junction with Highway 152 (south of Santa Nella), turn east on Highway 152 and drive 2.5 miles. Turn right (south) on Volta Road and drive one mile. Turn left (east) on Pioneer Road and drive 0.8 mile, then turn right on Canyon Road. Drive south on Canyon Road for five miles to Los Banos Creek Reservoir. (You will cross back to the west side of I-5.) Park near the boat ramp.
Contact: San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area, Four Rivers Sector, Gustine, 209/826-1197, www.parks.ca.gov.
4.8 mi/2.5 hr
northwest of Coalinga
Most people don’t realize that there’s a National Recreation Trail out here near Coalinga, the town that was made famous by an earthquake, but it’s true. In winter and spring, this is a first-class hike to the summit of Kreyenhagen Peak (elevation 3,558 feet), climbing through chaparral-covered hillsides. The trail begins at the far end of the picnic area and crosses a dry streambed, then begins to ascend. It’s well graded all the way, with the second mile slightly steeper than the first. Plenty of switchbacks ease you through it. Views are good all the way up this 2.4-mile trail, but the impressive vista from the summit ridge includes the Diablo Range, the San Joaquin Valley, and miles of surrounding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Considering how little effort is required to get here, it’s quite a view. Have a seat on one of the rock outcrops and take it all in.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, and mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. A $3 day-use fee is charged per vehicle.
Maps: Free trail maps are available at the trailhead. For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Curry Mountain.
Directions: From Coalinga, drive 20 miles west on Highway 198 to the Coalinga Mineral Springs County Park exit. Turn right (north) and drive four miles to Coalinga Mineral Springs County Park. Park in the main lot and walk to the far end of the park. The trail begins across the creek bed.
Contact: Bureau of Land Management, Hollister Field Office, Hollister, 831/630-5000, www.ca.blm.gov/hollister.
1.0-12.0 mi/0.5-5.5 hr
on the San Joaquin River near Fresno
Woodward Park is the kind of city park that has a par course, children’s playgrounds, and barbecue areas. But it’s also a convenient access point for the San Joaquin River Parkway, also called the Lewis S. Eaton Trail. When completed, the multiuse parkway will cover a 22-mile distance between Highway 99 and Friant Dam in Millerton Lake State Park. Currently six miles are finished, which means you can walk, jog, rollerblade, bike, or cruise in a wheelchair up to 12 miles round-trip on a paved trail that parallels the river and Friant Road for its entire distance. The good folks at the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust are working hard to add to the current trail system; various loops and extensions from the paved trail are in the works. If you want to explore some of them, start with the River Access Trail, which branches off the Lewis S. Eaton Trail on the north side of Woodward Park. The trail meanders down to the riverbanks at the Jensen River Ranch, a small park that is under restoration by the conservancy.
User Groups: Hikers, dogs, horses, mountain bikes, and wheelchairs.
Permits: No permits are required. A $5 fee is charged per vehicle.
Maps: A park map is available at the entrance kiosk. For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Fresno North.
Directions: From Highway 41 heading north in Fresno, take the Friant Road exit. Turn left on Audubon Avenue and then turn right into Woodward Park.
Contact: Woodward Regional Park, Fresno, 559/621-2900; San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Fresno, 559/248-8480, www.riverparkway.org.
2.0 mi/1.0 hr
east of Visalia
The Kaweah Oaks Preserve is Tulare County’s premier private nature preserve, a small remnant of what was once a vast valley oak forest. Groves of majestic oaks still stand, as well as wild grapevines growing as high as 30 feet. Four easy hiking trails take you through a vast alkali meadow, valley oak riparian forests, sycamore woodlands, wild roses, valley elderberries, and swamp habitat. From the parking area, enter through the obvious gateway, which features maps and interpretive signage, and pick up a trail guide. Head west down the old ranch road to the picnic area on the left (less than a quarter mile). Follow the ranch road west or north to hike the self-guided interpretive trails. Because this is a grazing area, leave all cattle gates the way you found them, whether open or closed, and keep Fido on his leash. As you stroll, listen for sounds of birdlife, and watch for herons, hawks, and owls, as well as the preserve’s five species of woodpeckers. In addition to the diverse birdlife, you’ll enjoy abundant native flora, including valley oak, California sycamores, cottonwoods, and willows growing near the streams. This is a good walk for late winter, spring, or fall. In the heat of summer, confine your visits to the early morning, when the valley is at its coolest. The preserve closes at dusk, so evening walks are not an option.
User Groups: Hikers and dogs. No horses or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: No permits are required. Parking and access are free.
Maps: For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Visalia. Trail guides are available at the trailhead for a $3 donation.
Directions: From Tulare on Highway 99, drive north for 10 miles and turn east on Highway 198. Drive 13 miles on Highway 198, passing through Visalia, and take the left turnoff for Road 182. Drive 0.5 mile north on Road 182 to the trailhead parking area on the left.
Contact: Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Visalia, 559/738-0211, www.sequoiariverlands.org.
1.5 mi/1.0 hr
in Carrizo Plains National Monument, eastern San Luis Obispo County
Carrizo Plain was designated a national monument in 2001 and is considered to be one of California’s largest grassland ecosystems. It’s best known for its abundant wildlife, spring wildflowers, and peace and quiet. Located at the north end of the monument is Soda Lake, a 3,000-acre expanse that comprises one of the largest remaining alkaline wetlands left in California. It’s dry for most of the year, but during the wet season, it attracts migrating birds. Tule elk, pronghorn, coyotes, and other wildlife can also be seen in various areas of the monument. In early spring, when conditions are right, wildflowers can fill the valley and cover the mountains, attracting photographers and visitors from all over the country.
Soda Lake and the surrounding grasslands are spectacular enough, especially when the spring wildflower bloom is on, but if you’ve driven all the way out here, you don’t want to miss a visit to Painted Rock. However, you need to obtain a permit in advance or be part of a docent-led tour to hike the easy Painted Rock Interpretive Trail, which leads to the 55-foot-high formation. The interior of this rounded sandstone amphitheater has some of the most significant Native American pictographs in the country. Although many have been vandalized, Painted Rock is still considered a very sacred place by Native Americans. While visiting, please respect the site by not touching the paintings or rock.
User Groups: Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes. No wheelchair facilities.
Permits: While the monument is open year-round, Painted Rock is closed March 1-July 15 to protect nesting birds. You can still sign up for a guided hike to Painted Rock on Saturdays in March, April, and May. The rest of the year, you can visit Painted Rock on your own, but you must obtain a "self-guided tour" permit in advance. Permits and tour reservations can be obtained at www.recreation.gov or by phoning 877/444-6777 ($1.50 fee). Parking and access are free.
Maps: A brochure on Carrizo Plain National Monument is available from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Painted Rock.
Directions: From San Luis Obispo on US 101, drive north for 10 miles and take the Santa Margarita/Highway 58 exit. Drive east on Highway 58 for 50 miles to the Soda Lake Road turnoff. Turn right (south) and drive 13.5 miles to the Painted Rock Trail and Goodwin Education Center turnoff. Turn right and drive to the visitors center, then turn left and drive two miles to the Painted Rock trailhead.
Contact: Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office, Bakersfield, 661/391-6000; Goodwin Education Center at Carrizo Plain (open Thurs.-Sun. Dec.-May, 9 am-4 pm), 805/475-2131, www.blm.gov.
0.25 mi/0.25 hr
off I-5 west of Bakersfield
Most people just don’t know that there’s a herd of magnificent tule elk wandering around a few miles from I-5. If you didn’t know, better pull off the highway and get yourself to the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve near Tupman. There aren’t a lot of trails to choose from, and you won’t do much that resembles true hiking here, but if you’ve been driving on I-5 long enough, just getting out of the car and stretching your legs is a big deal. The animals are most active in the late summer, when their rutting season begins. Bring binoculars for your best chance at a good view, or take a stroll to the walk-up platform, where you can look through a spotting scope at the elk. Make sure you stop in at the visitors center and check out the interesting displays on the elk and the history of the Central Valley.
User Groups: Hikers and dogs. No horses or mountain bikes. Some facilities are wheelchair-accessible.
Permits: No permits are required. An $8 day-use fee is charged per vehicle.
Maps: For a topographic map, go to the USGS website to download Tupman.
Directions: From the junction of I-5 and Highway 99 north of the Grapevine, drive north on I-5 for 33 miles to the Stockdale Highway exit. Drive west for 1.2 miles and turn left (south) on Morris Road. Drive 1.6 miles on Morris Road. The road turns right at Station Road. After 0.25 mile, turn left into the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve. The route is well signed.
Contact: Tule Elk State Natural Reserve, Buttonwillow, 661/764-6881, www.parks.ca.gov.