Walking & Hiking Trails
Lost Slough Wetlands Walk
A one+ mile, universally accessible trail offers visitors an up-close experience into lush marshes, wetland plants, water birds, insects, and amphibians. There is also a wooden boardwalk, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, which can be accessed along the Wetlands Walk. The boardwalk meanders into the restored marshes of Lost Slough (located across Franklin Blvd. from the Visitor Center) and was built during the winter of 1994.
Cosumnes River Walk Trail
The Cosumnes River Walk trail is a 3-mile round-trip trail, accessible from the bridge just north of the Visitor Center.
The Nature Conservancy first opened the trail to the public in 1987. It is located primarily on raised levees that wind through a variety of habitats, including buttonbush thickets, native grasslands, valley oak riparian forest along the Cosumnes River, cottonwood/willow riparian forest, tule marsh, valley oak savannah and several restoration projects – including the oldest riparian restoration planting (planted winter '87-'88) and about 30 acres of restored seasonal marsh.
Due to the rough nature of the terrain, the trail is not universally accessible. In addition, during the winter months, the natural flood cycle often results in complete inundation of the trail by floodwaters. However, most of the year the trail is open, from sunrise to sunset, to anyone who cares to use it.
The Cosumnes River Preserve’s Trail Brochure is available online, or you may pick up a copy at the Visitor Center.
Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail
The Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail is a 7-mile roundtrip trail. It starts at the Rancho Seco Recreational Area and winds around the north end of Rancho Seco Lake.
The trail opened to the public in the summer of 2006. Landscape on the trail includes vernal pools, seasonal wetlands, riparian and marsh habitat, as well as dramatic views of oak woodland habitat and the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the distance.
Rancho Seco Recreational Area is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and there is a $5 charge per vehicle.
More information on the Rancho Seco Howard Ranch trail is available on SMUD's website here.
Cosumnes River Preserve * 13501 Franklin Blvd. Galt CA 95632
(916) 684-2816
info@cosumnes.org