Bird's eye view of the park

Great Valley Grasslands SP

Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was established in 1979 and is
located in western Merced County, California within the San Joaquin River
basin. Unlike typical national wildlife refuges, Grasslands WMA is comprised
mostly of privately-owned lands on which perpetual conservation easements for
the benefit of wildlife have been established between landowners and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. These easements preserve wetland and grassland
habitats for wildlife, as well as some wildlife-friendly agricultural lands.
The preservation of these areas prevents conversion of the land to uses not
compatible with migratory bird and other wildlife values, while allowing daily
management to remain under landowner control.

The Grasslands WMA can be divided into eastern and western divisions separated
by the San Joaquin River. In the heart of the western division is the
Grassland Resource Conservation District, an area of 70,000 acres of private
wetlands and associated grasslands, and over 30,000 acres of federal national
wildlife refuges and state wildlife areas. These wetlands constitute 30% of
the remaining wetlands in California's Central Valley and are extremely
important to Pacific Flyway waterfowl populations. These lands are used by
over 1.5 million wintering ducks and geese and more than 300,000 shorebirds
and other waterbirds.

Grasslands WMA supports diverse habitats including seasonally flooded
marshlands, semi permanent marshes, riparian habitats, wet meadows, vernal
pools, native uplands, pastures, and native grasslands. In addition to
waterfowl, these habitats support shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds,
raptors, and other wildlife species. Several federal and state-listed
endangered and threatened plants and animals are present in the area and
benefit by the habitat protection provided by the easement program. From 1979
to the present, more than 90,000 acres have been incorporated into the
Grasslands WMA conservation easement program.

The Grasslands WMA consists of 94,576 acres of perpetual conservation
easements on private lands. Of this total acreage, 11,150.6 acres of Service-
owned fee-title land are managed as part of the San Luis NWR, and 4,497.7
acres are managed as part of the Merced NWR. The Grasslands WMA is the largest
concentrated easement program for wildlife in the State of California.
Information about the Service-owned fee-title refuge units (shown on the map)
can be found on the San Luis NWR website (for West Bear Creek, East Bear
Creek, Blue Goose units) and the Merced NWR website (for Arena Plains, Snobird
units). For public visitation opportunities, please explore the San Luis NWR,
Merced NWR, and San Joaquin River NWR.

Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was established in 1979 and is located in western Merced County, California within the San Joaquin River basin. Unlike typical national wildlife refuges, Grasslands WMA is comprised mostly of privately-owned lands on which perpetual conservation easements for the benefit of wildlife have been established between landowners and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These easements preserve wetland and grassland habitats for wildlife, as well as some wildlife-friendly agricultural lands. The preservation of these areas prevents conversion of the land to uses not compatible with migratory bird and other wildlife values, while allowing daily management to remain under landowner control.The Grasslands WMA can be divided into eastern and western divisions separated by the San Joaquin River. In the heart of the western division is the Grassland Resource Conservation District, an area of 70,000 acres of private wetlands and associated grasslands, and over 30,000 acres of federal national wildlife refuges and state wildlife areas. These wetlands constitute 30% of the remaining wetlands in California's Central Valley and are extremely important to Pacific Flyway waterfowl populations. These lands are used by over 1.5 million wintering ducks and geese and more than 300,000 shorebirds and other waterbirds.Grasslands WMA supports diverse habitats including seasonally flooded marshlands, semi permanent marshes, riparian habitats, wet meadows, vernal pools, native uplands, pastures, and native grasslands. In addition to waterfowl, these habitats support shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds, raptors, and other wildlife species. Several federal and state-listed endangered and threatened plants and animals are present in the area and benefit by the habitat protection provided by the easement program. From 1979 to the present, more than 90,000 acres have been incorporated into the Grasslands WMA conservation easement program.The Grasslands WMA consists of 94,576 acres of perpetual conservation easements on private lands. Of this total acreage, 11,150.6 acres of Service-owned fee-title land are managed as part of the San Luis NWR, and 4,497.7 acres are managed as part of the Merced NWR. The Grasslands WMA is the largest concentrated easement program for wildlife in the State of California. Information about the Service-owned fee-title refuge units (shown on the map) can be found on the San Luis NWR website (for West Bear Creek, East Bear Creek, Blue Goose units) and the Merced NWR website (for Arena Plains, Snobird units). For public visitation opportunities, please explore the <a href="https://fws.gov/node/1286" rel="nofollow">San Luis NWR</a>, <a href="https://fws.gov/node/1283" rel="nofollow">Merced NWR</a>, and <a href="https://fws.gov/node/1285" rel="nofollow">San Joaquin River NWR</a>.

Grasslands Wildlife Management Area

George J. Hatfield State Recreational Area

Bird's eye view of the campground

George Hatfield Group Camp

George J. Hatfield SRA

The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of
wetlands, riparian woodlands, native grasslands, and vernal pools. A thriving
population of endemic tule elk is showcased on one of three auto tour routes.
The refuge is host to significant assemblages of birds, mammals, reptiles,
amphibians, fish, insects, and plants; some of which, such as the California
tiger salamander, the long-horned fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox, are
endangered species.  
  
The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1967 under the
Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The first refuge parcel was purchased with
federal Duck Stamp funds to serve as inviolate sanctuary for migratory
waterfowl. The refuge has grown over the years and today it is comprised of
six contiguous units: San Luis, East Bear Creek, West Bear Creek, Freitas,
Blue Goose, and Kesterson. The eastern portion of the refuge is bisected by
the San Joaquin River.  

The refuge is a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large
concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. From autumn
through spring, the wetlands on the refuge come alive as large numbers of
migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds arrive in the San Joaquin
Valley. Here, the wetlands provide plentiful food and shelter, and a critical
wintering area along the Pacific Flyway migration route. The wetlands also
support a wide variety of other animals, including mammals, amphibians,
reptiles, and insects. Waterfowl generally remain until late March before
beginning their journey back north to breeding areas; however, some mallard,
gadwall, and cinnamon teal remain in the area to nest and raise young.  
  
Shorebirds, including species of sandpipers and plovers can be found in the
tens of thousands from autumn through spring. Large flocks of dunlin, long-
billed dowitchers, least sandpipers, and western sandpipers can be seen
feeding in shallow seasonal wetlands. Flocks of long-billed curlews are found
using both wetlands and grasslands. More than 25 species of shorebirds have
been documented at the refuge.  
  
The San Luis NWR has played a key role in the recovery of tule elk, a non-
migratory elk subspecies found only in California. Prior to the mid-1800s, an
estimated 500,000 tule elk lived in California. Due to over hunting and loss
of natural habitat, they were nearly driven to extinction by the turn of the
20th century – by some accounts, the population was reduced to as few as 20-30
individuals. In 1974 a herd of 18 animals was established in a large enclosure
at refuge and has since thrived. Elk from this herd are periodically relocated
to join other tule elk herds, or establish new ones, throughout California.  
  
Less well-known are the extensive upland habitats found on the refuge. Many of
these habitats are characterized by saline and alkaline conditions in
conjunction with low rainfall and an arid climate that characterize the San
Joaquin Valley. These habitats support a rich botanical community of native
bunchgrasses, native and exotic annual grasses, forbs, and native shrubs.
Trees, such as the valley oak, cottonwood, and willow are found along riparian
corridors. In these areas, visitors might encounter coyotes, desert cottontail
rabbits, ground squirrels, western meadowlarks, yellow-billed magpies, and
loggerhead shrikes, as well as northern harriers, white-tailed kites, and
other raptors coursing over the vegetation.

The refuge is home to the complex’s visitor center and headquarters, which
features an exhibit hall with interactive educational exhibits about wildlife
and habitats and a classroom for conducting environmental education fieldtrips
for visiting schools.  
  
The refuge has three auto tour routes with associated nature trails and
observation platforms from which the public can view and photograph wildlife
and nature. The refuge also allows fishing at designated sites and has a large
waterfowl hunting program.

The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian woodlands, native grasslands, and vernal pools. A thriving population of endemic tule elk is showcased on one of three auto tour routes. The refuge is host to significant assemblages of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and plants; some of which, such as the California tiger salamander, the long-horned fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox, are endangered species. The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1967 under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The first refuge parcel was purchased with federal Duck Stamp funds to serve as inviolate sanctuary for migratory waterfowl. The refuge has grown over the years and today it is comprised of six contiguous units: San Luis, East Bear Creek, West Bear Creek, Freitas, Blue Goose, and Kesterson. The eastern portion of the refuge is bisected by the San Joaquin River.   The refuge is a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. From autumn through spring, the wetlands on the refuge come alive as large numbers of migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds arrive in the San Joaquin Valley. Here, the wetlands provide plentiful food and shelter, and a critical wintering area along the Pacific Flyway migration route. The wetlands also support a wide variety of other animals, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Waterfowl generally remain until late March before beginning their journey back north to breeding areas; however, some mallard, gadwall, and cinnamon teal remain in the area to nest and raise young. Shorebirds, including species of sandpipers and plovers can be found in the tens of thousands from autumn through spring. Large flocks of dunlin, long-billed dowitchers, least sandpipers, and western sandpipers can be seen feeding in shallow seasonal wetlands. Flocks of long-billed curlews are found using both wetlands and grasslands. More than 25 species of shorebirds have been documented at the refuge. The San Luis NWR has played a key role in the recovery of tule elk, a non-migratory elk subspecies found only in California. Prior to the mid-1800s, an estimated 500,000 tule elk lived in California. Due to over hunting and loss of natural habitat, they were nearly driven to extinction by the turn of the 20th century – by some accounts, the population was reduced to as few as 20-30 individuals. In 1974 a herd of 18 animals was established in a large enclosure at refuge and has since thrived. Elk from this herd are periodically relocated to join other tule elk herds, or establish new ones, throughout California. Less well-known are the extensive upland habitats found on the refuge. Many of these habitats are characterized by saline and alkaline conditions in conjunction with low rainfall and an arid climate that characterize the San Joaquin Valley. These habitats support a rich botanical community of native bunchgrasses, native and exotic annual grasses, forbs, and native shrubs. Trees, such as the valley oak, cottonwood, and willow are found along riparian corridors. In these areas, visitors might encounter coyotes, desert cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, western meadowlarks, yellow-billed magpies, and loggerhead shrikes, as well as northern harriers, white-tailed kites, and other raptors coursing over the vegetation. The refuge is home to the complex’s visitor center and headquarters, which features an exhibit hall with interactive educational exhibits about wildlife and habitats and a classroom for conducting environmental education fieldtrips for visiting schools. The refuge has three auto tour routes with associated nature trails and observation platforms from which the public can view and photograph wildlife and nature. The refuge also allows fishing at designated sites and has a large waterfowl hunting program.

Tule Elk at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

Group Camping Area

Mcconnell Campground

Mcconnell SRA

The Merced National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 10,258 acres of wetlands,
native grasslands, vernal pools, and riparian woodlands. It was established in
1951 under the Lea Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Act to attract
wintering waterfowl from neighboring farmland where their foraging activities
were causing crop damage. Changes to local agricultural practices and refuge
management activities over the last several decades have reduced issues of
wildlife causing crop damage on neighboring private lands. The refuge was also
established to serve as inviolate sanctuary for migratory waterfowl.

The refuge hosts the largest wintering populations of lesser sandhill cranes
and Ross’ geese along the Pacific Flyway. Each autumn as many as 20,000 cranes
and 60,000 arctic-nesting geese terminate their annual migrations from Alaska
and Canada to make the refuge home. Here they mingle with thousands of other
visiting waterfowl, waterbirds, and shorebirds – making the refuge a true
winter phenomenon.

The refuge also provides important breeding habitat for Swainson’s hawks, tri-
colored blackbirds, marsh wrens, mallard, gadwall, cinnamon teal, and
burrowing owls. Tri-colored blackbirds, a colonial-nesting songbird, breed in
colonies of more than 25,000 pairs in robust herbaceous vegetation on the
refuge. Coyotes, ground squirrels, desert cottontail rabbits, beaver, and
long-tailed weasels are abundant mammal species and are present year-round.

Vernal pools are unique and special wetlands found on the refuge. These
special pools form when natural shallow depressions underlaid with clay soils
fill with winter rainwater. The pools come to life as they fill with water:
fairy and tadpole shrimp emerge from cysts embedded in the soils the year
before. The endangered tiger salamander, along with other amphibians, lay eggs
that develop into tadpoles in the pools. The vast number of aquatic
invertebrates found in these pools provides a food source for wintering and
migrating birds as they prepare for the long flight north to their breeding
grounds. As spring arrives and the water in the pools evaporates, plants such
as goldfields, purple owl’s clover, and butter-and-eggs germinate producing
colorful flowers in patterns of thick rings or halos around the pool basins.
Once the vernal pools have dried out, Downingia and colusa grass, a rare
California species, appear in the parched basins. This annual floral display
of color led naturalist John Muir to describe the valley floor as the
“floweriest part of the world” he had ever seen.

In addition to managing natural habitats, the refuge maintains approximately
300 acres of cultivated corn and winter wheat crops and more than 500 acres of
irrigated pasture for wildlife. Not only do these managed agricultural areas
provide important food sources for the tens of thousands of arctic-nesting
geese and sandhill cranes that make the refuge their winter home,

they also help ensure that the birds will have adequate nutrient stores to
make the long migration north to their breeding grounds. Working under
cooperative agreements with the refuge, local farmers provide assistance with
ground preparation, seeding, and irrigation of refuge croplands. The refuge
incorporates a livestock grazing program that works in partnership with local
ranchers. Grazing cattle and sheep is a management tool used by the refuge to
provide and maintain short stature grasslands and help control invasive weeds.
Grazing also encourages native grasslands and the wildlife that depend on them
to thrive.

The Merced National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 10,258 acres of wetlands, native grasslands, vernal pools, and riparian woodlands. It was established in 1951 under the Lea Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Act to attract wintering waterfowl from neighboring farmland where their foraging activities were causing crop damage. Changes to local agricultural practices and refuge management activities over the last several decades have reduced issues of wildlife causing crop damage on neighboring private lands. The refuge was also established to serve as inviolate sanctuary for migratory waterfowl.The refuge hosts the largest wintering populations of lesser sandhill cranes and Ross’ geese along the Pacific Flyway. Each autumn as many as 20,000 cranes and 60,000 arctic-nesting geese terminate their annual migrations from Alaska and Canada to make the refuge home. Here they mingle with thousands of other visiting waterfowl, waterbirds, and shorebirds – making the refuge a true winter phenomenon. The refuge also provides important breeding habitat for Swainson’s hawks, tri-colored blackbirds, marsh wrens, mallard, gadwall, cinnamon teal, and burrowing owls. Tri-colored blackbirds, a colonial-nesting songbird, breed in colonies of more than 25,000 pairs in robust herbaceous vegetation on the refuge. Coyotes, ground squirrels, desert cottontail rabbits, beaver, and long-tailed weasels are abundant mammal species and are present year-round.Vernal pools are unique and special wetlands found on the refuge. These special pools form when natural shallow depressions underlaid with clay soils fill with winter rainwater. The pools come to life as they fill with water: fairy and tadpole shrimp emerge from cysts embedded in the soils the year before. The endangered tiger salamander, along with other amphibians, lay eggs that develop into tadpoles in the pools. The vast number of aquatic invertebrates found in these pools provides a food source for wintering and migrating birds as they prepare for the long flight north to their breeding grounds. As spring arrives and the water in the pools evaporates, plants such as goldfields, purple owl’s clover, and butter-and-eggs germinate producing colorful flowers in patterns of thick rings or halos around the pool basins. Once the vernal pools have dried out, Downingia and colusa grass, a rare California species, appear in the parched basins. This annual floral display of color led naturalist John Muir to describe the valley floor as the “floweriest part of the world” he had ever seen.In addition to managing natural habitats, the refuge maintains approximately 300 acres of cultivated corn and winter wheat crops and more than 500 acres of irrigated pasture for wildlife. Not only do these managed agricultural areas provide important food sources for the tens of thousands of arctic-nesting geese and sandhill cranes that make the refuge their winter home, they also help ensure that the birds will have adequate nutrient stores to make the long migration north to their breeding grounds. Working under cooperative agreements with the refuge, local farmers provide assistance with ground preparation, seeding, and irrigation of refuge croplands. The refuge incorporates a livestock grazing program that works in partnership with local ranchers. Grazing cattle and sheep is a management tool used by the refuge to provide and maintain short stature grasslands and help control invasive weeds. Grazing also encourages native grasslands and the wildlife that depend on them to thrive.

Great Valley Grasslands SP

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Grasslands Wildlife Management Area

George J. Hatfield SRA

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

Mcconnell SRA

Merced National Wildlife Refuge