Hiking The Ventura River Preserve
Riverview Trailhead Hikes
Riverview Trailhead—Map Directions »
The Ventura River Preserve is located on Rice Road between El Roblar Drive and Lomita Avenue. To get there take Highway 33 west from the 150/33 intersection. About a mile down the road, turn left onto El Roblar Drive. Go through the town of Meiners Oaks until you dead end into Rice Road. Turn left onto Rice Road, travel a few hundred feet and the parking lot is on the right. To access the preserve’s trails you’ll walk or ride though a gate and follow a dirt road winding down toward the river bottom. The trail proceeds west toward the river. Please do not go south on the private access dirt road.
Oso Trailhead Hikes
Oso Trailhead—Map Directions »
The Oso Trailhead is the northernmost trailhead on the Ventura River Preserve. The trailhead road is located at the corner of Meyer and Oso roads. To get there, take Highway 33 west (toward Maricopa) from the Hwy 150/33 intersection at the Rotary Community Park. Go straight through El Roblar Drive intersection, drive past the Deer Lodge restaurant, turn left onto Fairview Road past Rice Road down the hill, turn left onto Meyers Road and continue to the corner at Oso Road. At the corner go straight right through the gate, left of the yellow arrow sign until you reach the trailhead parking lot. The Oso Trailhead offers two initial options for hiking; west towards Rice Canyon Trail or south towards the Upper River Loop trails.
Old Baldwin Road Trailhead Hikes
Old Baldwin Road Trailhead—Map Directions »
The Old Baldwin Road Trailhead is the southernmost trailhead on the Ventura River Preserve. The trailhead is located on Old Baldwin Road just off of Highway 150 in Ojai. At the Highway 150/33 intersection, turn onto 150 going towards Lake Casitas. Go past Rice Road and the next road on the right is Old Baldwin Road. The Old Baldwin Road Trailhead features an ADA accessible trail.
