· Volunteers Needed
   · Ranger-Led Hikes
   · Trail Workdays
   . Jr. Ranger Activity Camps
   · Virtual Tour
   · Living with California Mountain Lions
   · Hiking Trails/Open Space Map
   · Directions for Hikes & Workdays
   · Slacklining

The Ranger Service acts as the voice of nature, speaking to the users and uniting the community to help protect the natural resources of San Luis Obispo. Through enforcement, education, maintenance and rehabilitation of the parks, creeks and open space, City Park Rangers manage the land for the public and for future generations to enjoy.

Protecting open space is not just a job for the Park Rangers. There are over 40 miles of trails and roads available to the public. The City encourages every user to aid in the preservation of the natural surroundings while enjoying time spent in these areas. Through environmental education on Ranger-Led Hikes, after-school programs and public contacts, the community builds awareness of the human effect on the natural environment and how people can personally help to restore its natural beauty.

Some simple guidelines to protect open space users

and make the most of the experience:

Keep Dogs on Leash

Pick-Up After Your Dog

Use Sunscreen

Stay on the Trail

Wear Sturdy Shoes

Bring Plenty of Water

Follow All Posted Guidelines

Volunteers Needed

The involvement of community groups and volunteers is another key element to the preservation of City open spaces. Volunteers donating time, hard work and genuine interest in caring for nature are invaluable to the care and upkeep of the 3,000 acres of City open space.

Volunteers have become a major asset to the Ranger Service division. With only a handful of hired staff to manage the land, it is crucial to host community service events, Volunteer Trail Lookout hikes, and Trail Workdays. In addition, community groups often aid the Ranger Service division by adopting a specific open space.

Wondering what a volunteer does? 

·         Help to build and maintain trails

·         Help restore native vegetation along the creek corridor

·         Build bridges, catwalks, benches and much more

·         Garbage pick-ups

If any service groups, associations, organizations, clubs, students, families, friends or individuals would like to take part in the preservation of the City's open space, please volunteer. For more information call the Ranger Service desk at (805) 781-7302.

Ranger-Led Hikes

Ranger-Led hikes offer a wonderful personal tour of the City's Open Space. It is important to follow the simple guidelines for hiking (listed above). Anyone can schedule their own hike or join one of the following scheduled Ranger-Led Hikes:

Call 781-7302 for more information on upcoming hikes

All hikes start at 1:00 p.m. Hike duration varies with group. We ask that all participants please wear study shoes and bring plenty of water to drink. 

Want to take a hike on your own?  View our hiking trail map online for more information.  Trail maps of City open space hikes are available online here; you will need Adobe Acrobat to view.

Trail Workdays

In partnership with SLO Stewards, frequent trail workdays are held in the City's Open Space. Tools will be provided, along with some water and snacks. The following is a list of scheduled trail workdays:

Saturday, December 12 - Islay Hill Open Space - directions
Saturday, January 9 - Johnson Ranch Open Space - directions
Saturday, January 23 - Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve - directions
Saturday, February 13 - Stenner Springs Properties - directions
Saturday, February 27 - Johnson Ranch Open Space - directions

All workdays are from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Meet at the trailhead at 9 a.m.

Please wear long pants and sturdy shoes.

Water and snacks will be provided.

Call 781-7302 for information on upcoming Trail Workdays.
 

Junior Ranger Activity Camps

The Ranger Service offers two Environmental Education camps during the summer. Details available spring 2010.

Directions to Ranger-Led Hikes and Trail Workdays:

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve @ Highland Trailhead:  To reach the trailhead, take Foothill Blvd. west and make a right onto Patricia Drive. Continue north on Patricia Drive and make a left onto Highland Drive. Highland Drive will end at the Bishop Peak trailhead.

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve @ Patricia Trailhead:  To reach the trailhead, take Foothill Blvd. west and make a right turn at Patricia Drive.  Continue north on Patricia Drive and the trailhead will be on the left just past Patricia Court.

Bob Jones Bike Trail:
Please meet at the trailhead on Prado Road. Trailhead is located near Prado Road's intersection with South Higuera to the north side of the bridge crossing San Luis Creek.

Bowden Ranch Open Space:  Please meet at the Lizzie Court trailhead.  To reach the trailhead, turn east off of Johnson Avenue onto Lizzie Street and continue up a short ways to end of street at trailhead.

Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve:  Please meet at the Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve trailhead. To access the trailhead, turn right onto Fernandez Road just before the southbound 101 Marsh Street on-ramp.

El Chorro Regional Park:
Entrance is approximately 5.5 miles north of SLO, across from Cuesta College.  Turn right onto park road and continue 0.8 miles to Dairy Creek parking lot on the left by the locked gate.

Irish Hills Natural Reserve @ Prefumo Canyon Trailhead:  To reach the trailhead, take Los Osos Valley Road north and turn left onto Prefumo Canyon Road.  Follow this road for 1 mile and the trailhead will be on the left after a bridge crossing.

Irish Hills Natural Reserve @ Madonna Trailhead: Please meet at the Madonna trailhead. To reach the trailhead from Highway 101, take Los Osos Valley Road north towards Los Osos. Turn left on Madonna Road. Follow the street to the end and find parking on the street, then walk up the dirt road to the trailhead.

Islay Hill Open Space:  Please meet at the trailhead.  To reach the trailhead, take Broad Street south and make a left onto Tank Farm Road.  Follow this road and make a right onto Wavertree Street.  Make a left onto Spanish Oaks Drive and then a right onto Sweetbay Lane.  Trailhead is at the end of Sweetbay Lane.

Johnson Ranch:  Please meet at the turnout located at the intersection of South Higuera Street and Ontario Road. 

Montaña de Oro State Park. Montaña de Oro Bluff Walk:  From San Luis Obispo take Los Osos Valley Road through Los Osos, then continue on to the entrance of Montaña de Oro State Park via Pecho Valley Road.  Drive another 2.7 miles to Park Headquarters Visitor Center (also known as Old Ranch House).  Group will meet and depart from there.

Montaña de Oro State Park. Coon Creek Nature Walk: From San Luis Obispo, take Los Osos Valley Road through Los Osos and continue to the entrance of Montaña de Oro State Park via Pecho Valley Road.  From the entrance sign, continue 3.9 miles to the trailhead parking area on the left at the end of the road, 1.2 miles past the visitor center.  Group will meet and depart from there.

Montaña de Oro State Park. Point Buchon Walk: From San Luis Obispo, take Los Osos Valley Road through Los Osos and continue to the entrance of Montaña de Oro State Park via Pecho Valley Road.  From the entrance sign, continue 3.9 miles to the trailhead parking area on the left at the end of the road, 1.2 miles past the visitor center.  Group will meet and depart from there.

Pismo Beach Walk: Boardwalk & Monarch Butterflies:  Please meet at the Addie Street parking lot at the beach in Pismo where parking is free. From San Luis Obispo take Highway 101 south.  Exit onto CA-1/Dolliver Street toward Pismo Beach. Continue straight on Dolliver until you reach the Addie Street parking lot.

Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve:  Please meet at the Reservoir Canyon trailhead.  To reach the trailhead, take Highway 101 north.  Go past the city limits and turn right onto Reservoir Canyon Road (second road past the City limits).  Reservoir Canyon Road will end at the trailhead.

South Hills Open Space: Please meet at the South Hills trailhead off of Woodbridge Street.  To reach the trailhead take South Street east and turn right onto Exposition Drive.  Go straight and the road will turn into Woodbridge Street.  The trailhead is on the right.

Stenner Springs Properties: Head west out of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1 towards Morro Bay.  Slightly less than a mile outside of town turn right onto Stenner Creek Road.  Follow Stenner Creek Road for about 2-1/2 miles to the end.  Meet the ranger there.

Living with California Mountain Lions

The Ranger Service would like to promote education about “Living with California Mountain Lions.” Due to the recent sightings of mountain lions in the City’s open space, it seems appropriate to inform the public about this species of wildlife. Some quick tips to follow if a user encounters a mountain lion:

Do Not Hike Alone

Keep Children Close To You

Do Not Run From a Lion

Do All You Can To Appear Larger

Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of the Bishop Peak Nature Reserve via the Felsman Loop.....a brochure detailing the area is available as a PDF file.