Quick Facts:

  • 50 acres of canyon rim land north of Auburn
  • Protected since 2003 by acquisition by Placer Land Trust in partnership with the American Land Conservancy and Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust
  • Public trail system with interpretive nature trail

Open Space, Scenic Vistas, Trails, Habitat, and River Access

Placer Land Trust’s American River Watershed program supports native habitat and water quality in the American River while creating and protecting public access to regional trail systems.

Riparian Restoration & Water Quality Protection

Rehabilitation of Sierra Canyon Creek includes removal of invasive plant species as well as stream bed enhancement and stabilization to reduce erosion and sediment flowing into the North Fork American River. This directly improves the quality of our drinking water. In 2013, Placer Land Trust is completing a multi-year project to restore stream function, stability, and habitat to the property, in partnership with local biologists and restoration professionals.

Grasslands Management

Placer Land Trust staff and volunteers work tirelessly to remove invasive weeds such as yellow starthistle and French/Scotch broom, which makes room for native plants, increases habitat for native wildlife, and reduces fire danger.

Fuel Load Reduction

Constructing fire breaks and removing woody debris in the understory reduces fuel loads in the mixed conifer and oak woodlands forest, reducing wildfire danger for the property and its neighbors. Placer Land Trust has worked extensively with CalFire, grant funders and our neighbors to reduce fuel loads at Canyon View Preserve to keep our community safer.

Public Recreation

A 1.5 mile trail on the property is open to the public for hiking. The trail includes a kiosk, interpretive signs, and free informational field guides, as well as benches and picnic tables. Bikes are permitted, but it is a short trail and not suited “extreme” riding. Horses are not permitted on the trail. 

Visit the Preserve

The trail is accessed from Lincoln Way in Auburn across from the Park & Ride at the Bowman exit of Interstate 80. 

Click the links below to download printable PDFs of our Canyon View Field Guides! To use the mobile-friendly wildflower guide, simply click the button below, save the image to your photo album on your phone, and zoom in for detailed view.

Chronolog

A time lapse powered by community science! Visit Canyon View Preserve and look for the Chronolog station to help us monitor the hillside meadow through the seasons.

Canyon View Trail has been recognized and showcased by National Geographic and the Sierra Nevada Geotourism Council as one of the best destinations for travelers seeking an authentic experience of the region.  Check it out here.