PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE DRIVING ON THE RESERVE. THE ROADS ARE UNIMPROVED DIRT – THEY ARE EASILY DAMAGED AND MAY BE DANGEROUSLY SLIPPERY WHEN WET. IF YOU REQUIRE ACCESS TO YOUR SITES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, PLEASE BE PREPARED TO WALK DURING WET PERIODS. CONTACT RESERVE STAFF FOR ROAD STATUS AND LIMITATIONS BEFORE VISITING RESERVE.

DRY SEASON

2-wheel drive is ok to the field station, but not beyond
4-wheel drive – please engage your hubs when you leave the highway

Although the entrance road is steep and wash-boarded in places, most personal vehicles can be driven from the entrance gate at the highway (Main gate) to the gate near the field station (University gate). If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, please engage the hubs as soon as you leave the highway. If you have only 2-wheel drive, please try not to spin your wheels as you ascend the hill – slow down and you should regain traction. If your car has low clearance, you may have some difficulty even on the entrance road, so please consider carpooling with a friend with a higher vehicle.

Parking is available near the University gate to the field station - along the entrance road, toward the porta-potties and just beyond the gate. Park in mowed or gravel areas only.

Interior Roads

Only 4-wheel drive vehicles are allowed on these roads - they are steep and narrow. Use caution when driving them. Consult the road map for parking areas and designated turnarounds.
Personal 4-wheel drive vehicles are prohibited beyond the field station except by special arrangement with reserve staff. A Chevy Blazer and John Deere Gator utility vehicles are available by prior arrangement with reserve staff.

Bicycles may be used during the dry season for research by prior arrangement with staff. Recreational use is not allowed.

Wet Season

2-wheel drive is ok to the field station, but not beyond
4-wheel drive – please engage your hubs when you leave the highway

Interior Roads

By prior arrangement only.

Contact Reserve staff before visiting the Reserve. When roads are sufficiently wet, reserve personnel may judge that large, heavy vehicles, such as 4-wheel drive SUVs, will cause damage to the road. At such times, Gators will be available for use by researchers. If it is extremely wet, it may be necessary to close ALL roads to ALL forms of travel other than walking. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in your being charged for road repairs

No bicycles are allowed during the rainy season. Ruts made by the narrow tires may lead to severe erosion.

For information on road conditions contact:

Virginia Boucher 530 752-6949 vlboucher@ucdavis.edu
Shane Waddell 530 754-7108 smwaddell@ucdavis.edu
Kenny Walker 530 752-0873 kenwalker@ucavis.edu

Photo Credits: Title, The Croc Hunter (Mike Benard)