Hiking at the Dye Creek Preserve

The canyon trail is a rugged 2.5-mile-long (5-mile-roundtrip) footpath in the Dye Creek canyon. Visitors should be prepared for a strenuous hike with uneven footing, loose rocks, a few steep sections, a shallow creek crossing on stepping stones and tripping hazards.

Canyon Trail Hike—Morning Start (Saturday, April 1^st & Saturday, April 22^nd): Walk the canyon trail, hiking quickly for exercise or slowly to look for wildlife and take in the scenery. Along the way you can stop at information stations to speak with docents and learn about the preserve. 

Canyon Trail Hike—Afternoon Start (Saturday, April 8^th): In early April, the setting sun perfectly illuminates the Dye Creek canyon. Come hike the canyon trail at your own speed and take in the scenery during golden hour. Along the way you can stop at information stations to speak with docents and learn about the preserve.

We encourage photography for personal use; commercial photography is not permitted.

We have never offered this route before! This easy walk takes you along Dye Creek as it flows through the central valley. Gaze upwards at massive valley oaks, look for western pond turtles warily basking on logs, see a riparian restoration site and dip your toes in Dye Creek. The route follows gravel and dirt ranch roads and has very little elevation change. Round-trip distance is 5 miles.

Creekside Ranch Road Guided Walk (Sunday, March 5^th): Led by two docents, we will have an easy stroll along Dye Creek. With some luck we may see hawks, eagles, river otters or beavers.

Creekside Ranch Road Walk (Saturday, April 22^nd): When you sign up for this date, you can pick between the canyon trail and creekside route—no need to decide until you arrive. This is an out-and-back hike; you can walk 2.5 miles in each direction for a 5-mile round trip or turn around at any point.