Bird's eye view of the park

Rancho San Andrès Castro Adobe

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge is located in Santa Cruz County
within the Monterey Bay area. The refuge, established in 1975 to protect the
endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, supports two of the 24 known
breeding populations of the salamander. When the California red-legged frog
was listed as a threatened species in 1996 and the California tiger salamander
in 2004, the purpose of the refuge expanded to include protection of these two
species. Over time more properties were added to the refuge. The addition of
the Calabasas Unit was significant because it also supports California red-
legged frog breeding sites and the addition of the Harkins Slough Unit
provides freshwater habitat for migratory birds. Because of the sensitive
nature of the habitats, the refuge is closed to visitors.

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge is located in Santa Cruz County within the Monterey Bay area. The refuge, established in 1975 to protect the endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, supports two of the 24 known breeding populations of the salamander. When the California red-legged frog was listed as a threatened species in 1996 and the California tiger salamander in 2004, the purpose of the refuge expanded to include protection of these two species.  Over time more properties were added to the refuge.  The addition of the Calabasas Unit was significant because it also supports California red-legged frog breeding sites and the addition of the Harkins Slough Unit provides freshwater habitat for migratory birds.  Because of the sensitive nature of the habitats, the refuge is closed to visitors.

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Bird's eye view of the campground

Bay & Lupine Camps (sites 27-65)

Willow Camps (sites 1-26)

Manresa SB

Pines Hollow and Dunes Camp (Sites 38 – 90)

South Camp (sites 1-37)

Sunset Group Area

Sunset SB

The California Museum

Overflow (sites A2 - C6)

Seacliff Campground (sites 1-26)

Seacliff SB

The Forest Of Nisene Marks SP

Campground Northern End (sites 44-111)

Campground Southern End (sites 1-43)

Group Camping Area

New Brighton SB

Zmudowski SB

Moss Landing SB

Elkhorn Slough is one of the relatively few undisturbed coastal wetlands
remaining in California. The main channel of the slough, which winds inland
nearly seven miles, is flanked by a broad salt marsh second in size only to
San Francisco Bay. More than 400 species of invertebrates, 80 species of fish
and 200 species of birds have been identified in Elkhorn Slough. The channels
and tidal creeks of the slough are nurseries for many species of fish.
Additionally, the slough is on the Pacific flyway, providing an important
feeding and resting ground for many kinds of migrating waterfowl and
shorebirds.

Elkhorn Slough is one of the relatively few undisturbed coastal wetlands remaining in California. The main channel of the slough, which winds inland nearly seven miles, is flanked by a broad salt marsh second in size only to San Francisco Bay.

More than 400 species of invertebrates, 80 species of fish and 200 species of birds have been identified in Elkhorn Slough. The channels and tidal creeks of the slough are nurseries for many species of fish. Additionally, the slough is on the Pacific flyway, providing an important feeding and resting ground for many kinds of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.

Grasslands in Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, California

California Live Oak Trees in Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, California

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

Twin Lakes SB

Lighthouse Field SB

Salinas River SB

Santa Cruz Mission SHP

A perennial spring supplies the water flowing through a short distance in the
Great Falls Basin Wilderness, and that reach has cut a narrow and deep slot in
the bedrock forming several falls. The steep mountainous terrain includes
granite outcrops which provide opportunities for cross country hiking and
exploration. Elevations range from 2,000-4,500 feet. Vegetation is mixed
desert scrub, with the dominant plant being creosote. In the higher
elevations, the vegetation changes to heavier upland scrub with yucca,
mountain mahogany, and some pinyon and juniper trees. The Inyo brown towhee, a
state-listed rare bird species, frequents the basin, as do desert bighorn
sheep.

Visitors might not think of the desert as a place for water, but year-round
water creates a cooling and refreshing hideaway in this normally hot desert.

For more information about this wilderness, please visit Wilderness Connect.

##  Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in
different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). For more
information on any of the principles listed below, please visit Leave No
Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

  * Plan Ahead and Prepare
  * Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  * Dispose of Waste Properly
  * Leave What You Find
  * Minimize Campfire Impacts
  * Respect Wildlife
  * Be Considerate of Other Visitors

## Rules and Regulations

Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally
prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the
use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment,
bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of
aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation.
In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or
mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a
specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmcalifornia/49914480807/in/album-72157714371554101/" title="Great Falls Basin Wilderness" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49914480807_822903578a_c.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="Great Falls Basin Wilderness"></a> 

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmcalifornia/49913691593/in/album-72157714371554101/" title="Great Falls Basin Wilderness" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49913691593_228ae33281.jpg" width="447" height="500" alt="Great Falls Basin Wilderness"></a> 

A perennial spring supplies the water flowing through a short distance in the Great Falls Basin Wilderness, and that reach has cut a narrow and deep slot in the bedrock forming several falls. The steep mountainous terrain includes granite outcrops which provide opportunities for cross country hiking and exploration. Elevations range from 2,000-4,500 feet. Vegetation is mixed desert scrub, with the dominant plant being creosote. In the higher elevations, the vegetation changes to heavier upland scrub with yucca, mountain mahogany, and some pinyon and juniper trees. The Inyo brown towhee, a state-listed rare bird species, frequents the basin, as do desert bighorn sheep. 

 
 
Visitors might not think of the desert as a place for water, but year-round water creates a cooling and refreshing hideaway in this normally hot desert. 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about this wilderness, please visit <a href="https://wilderness.net" rel="nofollow">Wilderness Connect</a>. 

 

 

 

<h2> Leave No Trace </h2> 

 

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). For more information on any of the principles listed below, please visit Leave No Trace, <a href="https://lnt.org/" rel="nofollow">Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.</a> 

 

<ul><li>Plan Ahead and Prepare</li> 

 

<li>Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces</li> 

 

<li>Dispose of Waste Properly</li> 

 

<li>Leave What You Find</li> 

 

<li>Minimize Campfire Impacts</li> 

 

<li>Respect Wildlife</li> 

 

<li>Be Considerate of Other Visitors</li></ul> 

 

 

 

<h2>Rules and Regulations</h2> 

 

Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation. In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations. 

 

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmcalifornia/49914190621/in/album-72157714371554101/" title="Great Falls Basin Wilderness" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49914190621_1b1fd748a5_c.jpg" width="800" height="509" alt="Great Falls Basin Wilderness"></a>

Great Falls Basin WSA

Natural Bridges SB

This 367-acre coastal National Wildlife Refuge is located where the Salinas
River empties into Monterey Bay. The refuge is roughly triangular in shape
with the Pacific Ocean forming the western border, the Salinas River forming
the northeast border, and the southern border running adjacent to privately
owned parcels of land. Refuge lands include a range of terrestrial and aquatic
habitats, including coastal dunes and beach, grasslands, a saline pond and
salt marsh, and riparian habitats. Because of its location within the Pacific
Flyway, the refuge is used by a variety of migratory birds during breeding,
wintering, and migration periods.

The refuge also provides habitat for several threatened and endangered
species. The threatened western snowy plover, just six inches tall, lays its
eggs in simple scrapes on the sparsely vegetated foredunes of the refuge, as
well as other beaches and salt pannes in California. And the endangered
Smith's blue butterfly makes its home in the buckwheat patches found blooming
throughout the backdunes.

This 367-acre coastal National Wildlife Refuge is located where the Salinas River empties into Monterey Bay. The refuge is roughly triangular in shape with the Pacific Ocean forming the western border, the Salinas River forming the northeast border, and the southern border running adjacent to privately owned parcels of land. Refuge lands include a range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats,  including coastal dunes and beach, grasslands, a saline pond and salt marsh, and riparian habitats. Because of its location within the Pacific Flyway, the refuge is used by a variety of migratory birds during breeding, wintering, and migration periods. 

The refuge also provides habitat for several threatened and endangered species.  The threatened western snowy plover,  just six inches tall, lays its eggs in simple scrapes on the sparsely vegetated foredunes of the refuge, as well as other beaches and salt pannes in California. And the endangered Smith's blue butterfly makes its home in the buckwheat patches found blooming throughout the backdunes.