Ventura River Preserve

Whether nature’s pleasure for you is an invigorating hike, run, mountain bike or horseback ride, the Ventura River Preserve offers nearly 1,600 acres for your enjoyment.

On the west side of the Ojai Valley, the Ventura River Preserve protects three miles of the Ventura River and its surrounding canyons. Diverse topography creates ideal conditions for a variety of plant communities. Steep north facing slopes in Wills Canyon offer refuge for shade-loving plants while chaparral blanketed hillsides are open to summer sun. Pockets of grasslands and meadows offer a colorful variety of spring wildflowers and grasses.

Once the sprawling Rancho El Nido ranch, this land has remained relatively untouched and is a haven for over 300 animal and plant species. The preservation of this property is made even more significant by its location adjacent to the Los Padres National Forest and the Ventura River watershed. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is actively involved with the protection and restoration of the Ventura River watershed, which is the sole water source for the entire Ojai Valley.

A Bit of History

Once habitat to grizzly bears, this property is still home to a variety of wildlife, including black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, badger, coyote and mule deer. Abundant food, shelter, space and water make this a key habitat for local wildlife. In wet months frogs, salamanders and other amphibians live in the seasonal creeks. Birds of prey such as Great Horned Owls and a variety of hawks soar over the oak savanna.

Before building Matilija Dam, significant runs of steelhead trout inhabited this stretch of the Ventura River. During high stream flows, the endangered southern steelhead trout still swim along three miles of the preserve’s property. Protecting the deep pools on this section of the river will play a critical role in steelhead recovery.

The Ventura River Preserve was twice slated to be developed as a high-end community with an exclusive golf course. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy worked tirelessly on a plan to preserve this property. With a grant from California State Coastal Conservancy in 2003, and the generous support of the community, this preserve was protected forever.

How Can I Help?

It takes a community to steward this land. There are many ways you can help us.

  • Volunteer for preserve patrols, trail maintenance or restoration projects

  • Leave the land as you found it, leave no trace

  • Bring a bag to pick up trash left on the trail by others

  • Call (805) 649-6852 to report emergencies or inappropriate activities If there’s no answer, please follow the prompts on the Preserve Manager’s cell number

  • Please consider making a donation to the Ventura River Preserve stewardship fund

  • Trailheads: Riverview Trailhead, Oso Trailhead, Old Baldwin Trailhead

    Trailhead Parking: Yes

    Preserve Open Hours

    • Summer Hours
      (April - October):
      7:30 am - 7 pm

    • Winter Hours
      (November - March):
      7:30 am - 5 pm

    Public Access: Yes

    Recreational Use: Yes

    Acreage: 1,600

    Guided Hikes: Periodic preserve tours, check events calendar.

    Please note: Google Maps shows old roads on this preserve that no longer exist. Please follow the marked trails on our pdf map and trail signs when hiking.

  • Help respect and protect this preserve by staying on the trails and observing these guidelines:

    Take all trash and belongings with you

    Always keep dogs on leash

    Clean up after yourself and dogs

    Bike bells are required

    Class-1 E-bikes are allowed on OVLC trails. Class 2 and 3 are not allowed on OVLC trails.

    Stay on marked trails

    No smoking or fire of any kind

    No motorcycles or motorized vehicles

    No drones

    No weapons

    No camping

    Do not disturb or feed wildlife

    No collecting or handling of plants, animals, or minerals

    No barbecues, coolers, chairs, or shade structures

    No external audio or Bluetooth speakers

    No alcohol or illegal drug use

    No hunting

    No digging or building

    No dumping

Explore our preserves

  • Valley View Preserve

    Rugged trails and spectacular views.

  • Ventura River Preserve

    Miles of breathtaking beauty.

  • Ojai Meadows Preserve

    Neighborhood jewel with something for everyone.


what we do

Our mission is to protect and restore the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley forever.