Putah Creek Riparian Reserve Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Swimming · Wildlife

The trail is a narrow, winding path that runs along the south side of Putah Creek. Large portions of the original trail has been destroyed or blocked due to heavy flooding over the winter of 2016/2017. Large amounts of debris remains on or near the trail, and various detours from the main trail have made it some what difficult to follow the original trail. When on the trail, stay on the north side of the creek; the south side is all private property. Do not trespass.

The trail has four main access points. Pedrick Road/Road 98, Hopkins Road (Fire Ring Parking), Brooks Road, and Old Davis Highway

You can tackle this trail in either direction, and any of the sections are a pleasant run. Combined with the Putah Creek North Levee Trail you can complete a 6 mile loop. This description is from the Pedrick Road access to the Old Davis Road Access. The area of the creek open to the public is ONLY on the north side of the creek between Pedrick Road and Old Davis Road. Upstream from Pedrick Road and downstream from Old Davis Road is not open to the public or is private property.

Starting at the Pedrick Road/Road 98 Parking access, proceed down the trail trail to the creek access below the Pedrick Road overpass. (There will be a sign just past the overpass pointing to a trail to the right, this was the start of the trail, but heavy flooding over the winter blocked this trail with debris). Proceed approximately another 200 yards uphill past the first sign post to a second trail access point and take it to the right to access the lower trail. The trail will wind its way along the creek after a half a mile you'll come to a popular swimming hole that used to have a rope swing. There is a bench here if you would like to just relax and enjoy nature.

The trail climbs a stairway up from the swimming hole and proceeds to the "Fire pit" access point. This is a nice area to have a picnic. The trail continues to wind along the creek till it opens up to a wide flat plain. The rest of the trail follows this plain and creek to the Old Davis Road access point crossing under Interstate 80 and a Union Pacific Railroad Trestle.

Along the way, you'll see Box Elder, Oaks, Willow, wild California Grape, California Wild Rose and Fremont Cottonwood. Also you'll see many different Raptors, waterfowl, rabbits, raccoons, and lizards.