Cosumnes River Preserve

Hiking

Within the 50,000+ acres of the preserve, we have over 11 miles of pristine trail for you to hike. Some days you can walk for hours without spotting another human being, enjoying in your solitude the serene majesty of nature.

Wildlife

The preserve is home to more than 250 bird species, more than 40 fish species, and some 400+ plant species have been verified. Keep an eye out for Greater and Lesser Sandhill Cranes, Northern Pintail, Swainson’s Hawks, and Black-necked Stilts. Within the preserve you can see for yourself the rich variety of American wildlife.

Field Trips

We welcome group visits and school field trips, and have a training program and teaching materials available for schoolteachers — or you can take one of our volunteer-guided tours!

Upcoming Events

Jun

Tall Forest Bird Survey

This is a survey on foot lasting five to six hours, sometimes longer when the birding is exceptional. Because we start early, we have a good chance to see mammals as well, such as beaver, river otter, striped skunk, raccoon, coyote, squirrels and deer, plus ectothermic vertebrates on occasion. A good variety of local butterflies and odonates is found in season. In places the trails are nothing more than animal traces

Jun

Habitat Restoration Workday

If you’re a first timer, don’t worry about not knowing what to do. We have plenty of instructions and lots of experienced volunteers to guide you. Click this activity to learn more about this exciting activity!

Jun

Guided Photography Walk

Come join the Preserve's photography guides on a photo adventure.

Jun

Full Moon Bat Paddle

We will be paddling to watch the sunset and then shortly thereafter to watch over 70,000 Mexican Free Tail bats fly out into the sky. Space is Limited & Registration is Required

Jul

River Walk Bird Survey – Tour

Join well-known Audubon Society member, Jim Rowoth, as he ventures out on the Cosumnes River Preserve River Walk. The walk takes you through wetlands, riparian forest, grasslands, and to the Cosumnes River.

Jul

Tall Forest Birding Survey – Behind the Locked Gates

.In places the trails are nothing more than animal traces, and we push through blackberry thickets, clamber over down logs and bend under low limbs or grape tangles to make our way through. This is not a trip for folks in shorts nor for small children (not recommended for children less than 10 years of age). Footwear requirements vary with the season.