Ocean Ranch Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fishing · Wildlife

The parking area at the top is signed "Eel River Wildlife Area, Ocean Ranch Unit". Follow the well trod trail around the locked gate and down the old road past pastures that may still see use in the winter. The old road takes a turn to pass by a barn and cattle chute that have seen better days.

Continue along and take a sharp left to follow road along old levee through the wetlands. Egrets hunt and ducks float on these waters. Keep on going until it ends at another old levee along the side of McNulty Slough.

This levee could be hiked, but has not been maintained as trail and is covered in brush and brambles making any attempt unpleasant. The trail is dry, but any excursion away from it can be expected to encounter mud and pools.

If you miss the left turn after the barn, you'll find yourself on a levee that has been narrowed to prevent motor vehicles from accessing the area from the road along the dunes area. It is possible to take this to the road or the beach if walking.

This California Fish and Wildlife area allows hunting of waterfowl, coots, and snipe in season.

egrets and ducks