Kaweah Oaks Preserve
A remnant natural landscape in San Joaquin Valley
Grapevine trail at Kaweah Oaks Preserve
Kaweah Oaks Preserve, a 322-acre nature preserve, protects one of the last remaining valley oak riparian forests in the San Joaquin Valley. When visiting Kaweah Oaks Preserve, we can imagine how this area looked before it was settled 100 years ago. More than 300 plant and animal species live, feed or reproduce at the nature preserve, including gray fox, great horned owl, Nuttall's woodpecker, wild grapevines, willow thickets and majestic valley oaks.
In 1983, concerned local citizens who realized the biological value of this enchanting land convinced The Nature Conservancy to help purchase it for protection. Ten years later, The Nature Conservancy transferred the preserve title to a local conservation organization, the Four Creeks Land Trust, which later merged with two other land trusts to form Sequoia Riverlands Trust. SRT manages Kaweah Oaks Preserve for research, livestock grazing, youth education and public enjoyment.
What to do if you'd like to visit KOP
Boy scout lends a hand with
our native plant nursery
Kaweah Oaks Preserve (KOP) is open to the public year round. Hours change seasonally, based loosely on sunrise and sunset:
- Winter: 8am- 5pm
- Summer: 8am-7pm
- Spring/Fall: 8am-6pm
Call our office at 559.738.0211 if you have any questions.
Kaweah Oaks Preserve amenities include parking, picnic tables, trail guides and restrooms. There are four maintained KOP trails, each less than one mile in length. The nature preserve trail guides will be provided on site for a requested $3 donation. Check the web calendar for public programs. No dogs please.
We also offer elementary school field trips to the nature preserve. We encourage teachers and parents to learn more about our environmental education program.
How to get to Kaweah Oaks Preserve
KOP is located east of Visalia, California. Travel seven miles east of downtown Visalia via Highway 198. Drive north on Road 182 one-half mile. The parking lot is on the west side of the road. Walk past the gate to enter.
View Kaweah Oaks Preserve in a larger map and get turn-by-turn directions with google maps
Before you visit our nature preserve
SRT's nature preserves protect the area for the plants and animals that live there and for future generations, while allowing for traditional agricultural uses of the land. Please tread lightly and be respectful of grazing cattle. Remember to bring drinking water and sun protection, wear comfortable shoes and watch for natural hazards, including rattlesnakes and ticks.
SRT prohibits the following on its nature preserves: dogs, firearms, audible music equipment, bicycles, fireworks, fishing, hunting, fires and collecting plants, animals or wood without a permit.
Get Involved: Your memberships, donations and volunteer efforts help Sequoia Riverlands Trust steward special places like Kaweah Oaks Preserve. Get involved today!
For more info on Things to Do in/around Visalia, visit the Visalia Convention & Visitor's Bureau.