The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of 27 National Estuarine Research Reserves established nationwide as field laboratories for scientific research and estuarine education. The Reserve is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (disclaimer) and managed by the California Department of Fish and Game. (Click the logos to learn more about these organizations.)

The 1400-acre Reserve is a hub of activity and hosts programs that promote education, research, and conservation in Elkhorn Slough. The Visitor Center has award-winning exhibits that invite everyone to explore the Unseen Slough. There are five miles of trails that meander through beautiful oak woodlands, calm tidal creeks, and freshwater marshes. We offer tours on the weekends (see below) and special events throughout the year.

Entrance fee and hours

Reserve and Visitor Center hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Reserve and Visitor Center are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
(We are now open all Fridays again.)

When the Reserve is closed you cannot access the trails, restrooms, or staff.

Admission is free to the Visitor Center and picnic areas.

To walk the trails, there is a $2.50 day-use fee (cash or check, no credit cards) for adults 16 and older; children are free; entry is also free with a California hunting or fishing license. A one-year pass is available for $19.25.

Other Information

Dogs and bicycles are NOT allowed on any of the Reserve Trails.

There is a short paved trail to an overlook that is wheelchair accessible – the rest of the trails are dirt, gravel or grass.

Directions

The Elkhorn Slough Reserve is located at 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA 95076 (map and directions). There is no city or county bus service to the Elkhorn Slough Reserve.

Tours, field trips, and group reservations

Docent-led tours of the Reserve are held every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

There is also an early birding walk the first Saturday of every month at 8:30 a.m.

All tours meet at the Visitor Center, rain or shine. No notice or reservations are needed for groups of under six people. There is no additional fee for tours.

Want to bring your group to the Reserve? Please phone ahead of time before bringing any group to the Reserve. Special docent-led tours can be arranged with at least two months notice.

School field trips are by Reservation only. Teachers must first complete a Teacher Workshop before bringing a class to the Reserve. Please call Tricia Wilson at (831) 728-2822 for information and reservations.

Get involved at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve

There are many ways to get involved, including volunteering and employment. Call Amanda Ankenbrandt at (831) 728-2822 for more information about volunteering. There is also habitat restoration and short-term projects to participate in.

ESNERR staff

Looking for a staff person at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve? Click Here

Other Reserve programs and links

• Education

• Coastal Training Program

• GIS at Elkhorn Slough

• Research at Elkhorn Slough

• ESNERR Stewardship

• Tidal Wetland Program

• Volunteer Program

ESNERR Management Plan (.doc, 6.4MB)

Reserve Advisory Committee agenda (11/6/06 .doc, 22KB)

Mission

The Mission of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is to ensure the perpetual health of ecosystems in Elkhorn Slough and the surrounding watershed through preservation, restoration, research, information exchange and education with particular emphasis on the Research Reserve.