Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve

Located half-way between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey, Elkhorn Slough is a curving, seven-mile waterway extending from Monterey Bay. The Reserve occupies an area adjacent to part of the eastern shore of this channel. The approximately 1,700 acres that comprise the Reserve include salt marsh, mud flat, freshwater pond, oak woodland, and grassland habitats. A stroll on any one of the property's three loop trails reveals a variety of both wetland and upland wildlife. It is not uncommon for turkeys to be heard foraging in the oaks while a leopard shark glides through the backwater shallows in search of a meal.

Things To Do

Facilities

CDFW naturalists welcome visitors at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve Visitor Center. The Visitor Center features interactive exhibits depicting the Reserve's ecology, habitats and wildlife, including "The Unseen Slough." Adjacent to the Visitor Center there are several shaded picnic tables. All the Reserve's hiking trails fan outward from the Visitor Center and vary in length from just under a mile to a little over two miles.

Docent-led guided walks are available at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to schedule a separate tour. Binoculars and bird books available to borrow at no cost.

Public restrooms are located at the Visitor Center, as well as adjacent to the small barn on South Marsh Trail.

Accessibility

Elkhorn Slough Reserve Visitor Center is equipped with accessibility features for mobility-impaired visitors. Overlook Trail is a level dirt trail that is accessible to mobility-impaired vistors and leads to an overlook deck where an accessible-height viewing scope has been installed. Additionally, a trail-capable wheelchair is available for use by visitors on the Reserve at no cost. For details on any of these features, contact the Visitor Center at (831) 728-2822.

Connectivity

There is cellular phone service available in most areas of this property. There is no public Wi-Fi service available.

History

Since the 1920s, Elkhorn Slough has been a magnet for marine conservation and research. Today, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is managed by CDFW and operates in partnership with the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)(opens in new tab) and the non-profit Elkhorn Slough Foundation(opens in new tab). It is one of 30 national estuarine research reserves around the country that serve as representative estuaries for research, education and habitat stewardship. This land was additionally designated as Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve by the California Fish and Game Commission in 1980.

Learning About the Land

An estuary is a nursery ground, a resting place, a smorgasbord; where rivers meet the sea. If you're a nature enthusiast you've probably heard this description before. But what exactly does it mean? And what in the world is a slough anyway? A visit to the Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve is a great way to find all this out, and much more.

Each year, the Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve hosts nearly 5,000 school students, who come to explore the wetlands and oak woodlands, learn about nature, and discover the tiny life found in a drop of water. At the Elkhorn Slough Reserve staff is committed to preparing tomorrow’s environmental leaders by providing them with opportunities to explore the wonderful connectedness of the world they inhabit.

There are two options for field trip experiences at Elkhorn Slough: Estuary Investigations or Self-Guided Explorations.

• Our Estuary Investigations field trips are grade-level specific and align with California’s Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These field trip experiences include hikes and field investigations that connect to grade-level science themes. Information about the program can be found on the Foundation's Reserve Field Trips page(opens in new tab).
• Self-guided lessons(opens in new tab) for students are also available to enhance Reserve visits and provide alternatives for those who can’t join us in person.

In addition to field trip explorations for students, teachers are invited to participate in a variety of teacher workshops(opens in new tab).

Another targeted audience for education is the coastal decision makers of the region. Topics include special status species workshops, coastal management issues as well as professional training regarding meeting facilitation. Extensive information about the program as well as a reference library to past workshops can be found on the Foundation's Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program page(opens in new tab).

Volunteers

Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve currently has a volunteer force of approximately 75 active volunteers helping with research projects, leading tours and lending a hand to stewardship projects and maintenance needs. Volunteer training is in January and the more advanced Naturalist training continues on all Saturdays in February. More information can be viewed on the Foundation's Volunteer at Elkhorn Slough Reserve page(opens in new tab).

 Notice: Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to the use of CDFW-managed lands.

Please refer to the Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use Regulations (PDF)(opens in new tab) booklet for both statewide and property-specific regulations.

Hunting

There is no hunting permitted at Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve. Hunting is permitted on the adjacent Moss Landing Wildlife Area.

Fishing

There is no fishing permitted at Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve.

Rules and Visitor Use

Be aware of the following rules while visiting Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve:

• No horses allowed
• No dogs allowed
• No e-bikes, scooters or motorized vehicles allowed
• No drones allowed without a Special Use Permit (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• No camping allowed

In addition to the above, visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all Rules and Regulations in effect at Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve.

For specific questions regarding use of this land, call the Reserve at (831) 728-2822.