Dry Creek Preserve is a 152-acre former gravel quarry located just northwest of Lemon Cove. This nature preserve, now fully restored, is the first example of an ecologically-based aggregate mine reclamation in Tulare County. It is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days per year.

In 2004, California Portland Cement Company retired their Dry Creek gravel operations and donated the property to Sequoia Riverlands Trust. The 12 years of gravel mining operations significantly altered the Dry Creek streambed and resulted in the loss of numerous mature sycamores and valley oaks. This caused significant damage to one of the largest and last remaining sycamore alluvial woodlands in California.

Since 2004, SRT has partnered with community members, educational institutions, and other conservation organizations to re-establish natural stream patterns and restore the land's woodland vegetation with hundreds of oak and sycamore plantings and native grasses. Now, Dry Creek Preserve once again provides critical habitat for an ever-increasing population of resident and migratory birds and supports native species such as the great blue heron, golden eagle and herds of mule deer. The preserve is also a popular site for visitors every spring with its stunning wildflower show.

Dry Creek is also home to SRT’s Native Plant Nursery, where we grow native and drought-tolerant plants for both restoration projects at our preserves and the community. Check our Events page for volunteer days and plant sales, whose proceeds help fund our numerous conservation projects throughout Central California. You can also make a private appointment with our Nursery Manager, Ashley Robinson.

Dogs on-leash are welcome. Parking, an information kiosk, trails, picnic tables, and restroom facilities are available.

The combination of biological and environmental conditions necessary to host sycamore alluvial woodland habitat is rare. While the California sycamore is not an uncommon species, the sycamore alluvial woodland community is only found in 17 stands across central California. The community at Dry Creek is ranked third in size and health of all the remaining stands.