Deer Creek Hills Preserve

We attended the first docent-led hike of the year on Saturday, 2/1/2020. It was a "history" hike, focusing on the Deer Creek Gold Rush. We learned about the gold in the area, the miners, the mining district, and the fate of the local natives. The leader, David, was very knowledgeable. We enjoyed a beautiful 3-mile hike over gentle hills. It was an easy hike, although some of the terrain was rocky and uneven, and we had to find a path through a couple of small streams. Not a problem for most, but some older folk were glad they had their hiking poles. I was glad I had my waterproof hiking shoes.The Preserve is open to the public on Saturdays from Feb - May, and then again in the fall. Check the website for access hours. You can hike on your own, or register for one of the docent-led hikes.Also, the road to access Deer Creek Hills is not paved, and there is a small stream you have to drive through to get to the hiking area, so a four-wheel drive is a good idea. Those without high-clearance vehicles parked their cars along the side of the road before the stream, and hiked to the trailhead.

So, don't try and hike here when the trails are not open! You might get dusted by a bike or a jeep. I learned the hard way :) Positives: so quiet! Lovely views, and every vehicle that passed me asked if I needed help or a ride. Kinda sweet.Also, don't come here without 4-wheel drive.

Beautiful, peaceful place for a walk. There were few people here on an early April Saturday at 10 a.m. and wildflowers were just starting to appear. The trails go through a mix of open ranchland and oak forest. There are three trails to choose from: 3 miles, 4.5 miles, or 6 miles in length. We took the 6-mile Barn Pond Trail, which took about 2 hours and 20 minutes. There are some rolling hills but it was an easy hike. The preserve is also a working ranch so there are cows everywhere, along with cow patties. The trails are a bit hard to follow because the cattle make their own trails. Follow the posts, which mark the trails by color. The preserve is only open for hiking on Saturdays for part of the year, and you have to register by 6 p.m. the day before. Check in with the volunteer when you arrive and check out when you leave. There are a couple of port-a-potties, but no other services. Driving in, the last mile or so to the entrance is a bumpy dirt road, with a creek to ford. We have a four-wheel drive so it was not a problem. If you have a regular car you may need to park before the creek and walk over. Check the web site before you come to make sure the preserve is open and to register.

Great place to go for a hike. If not for the spring time wildflower hike or a historic hike through this gold country hills and Indian grinding holes. Then there is the weekly mountain bike trails. The volunteer helped us get across the creek that goes through the road. It was well worth the trip to get to this wonderful place in California.

Wonderful trails to hike in but they are open limited months for hikers. Generally, Deer Creek Hills Preserve is open to the public for hiking on Saturdays from 9am-1pm from February through May and from October through November.Beautiful bird watching here and they also host some special events here. It can be hard to get to without an SUV. There is a creek crossing to get to the trailhead. If you have a smaller car you could park next to the creek crossing and walk the rest of the way to the trailhead which is about a half mile. Find more info on the Sacramento Valley Conservancy website: http://ems.stli2.com/create/SVC.php?issue_id=2063

Great hikes, horseback riding and mountain biking, along with wonderful docents who know the history, native plants, birds and other interesting focus's. The spring Lupine displays are magnificent and the native oak groves are beautiful.

It's a nice trail but $35 for a family of 2 adults and 3 kids, it's a bit expensive. We chose the shorter (3 mile) trail loop that had a bit of shade. It wasn't bad, but nothing to write home about. They have marked poles along the trail, but unfortunately, they are not numbered and lack any kind of useful info other than the trail color (it would be more useful if they were numbered and numbers were reflected on the map, or had info about distance to or from the starting point). Driving directions are easy once you understand that the last leg of the paved road (Latrobe) turns into a dirt rode. There is creek (I think) running across the dirt road in one place (basically you are driving one a pile of stones). We made it over in a Sienna, but it was dry and, I suspect, in a wet season, it could be a problem.

Cool place. Great place for a picnic and wine. BYOB !!! The deer are friends of the owner.

Nothing on their Facebook page suggests you need a reservation to hike during hours they are open. We drove an hour to get there only to not be let in because we didn't have a reservation to walk around on our own. That's some nonsense right there.

Challenge yourself and set your own pace to an open mountain bike ride every MondayNite from 4:30pm-Sunset, June thru Oct.Explore a mountain bike course set-up on ranch roads and technical single-track cattle trails. Bring your friends, or ride solo on 4,400+ acres of open space preserve, nestled in eastern Sacramento County. It's the best kept secret of Sacramento!This expanding, rolling landscape will be marked for your enjoyment to ride. As the season progresses, the route will be re-marked letting you see more of the preserve by bike.Cell phones, bike helmet, toe covered shoes and water supply are a must! Cell phone numbers will be exchanged with SVC staff working the event. No dogs allowed, unless service dogs.Gates open at 4:30pm and will be locked at Dusk.