Main Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Wildflowers

Muddy in the spring, so muddy that you may want to run on other trails until later on in the summer months.

The Slavin Ranch is an area dedicated to the preservation of wetland and water bird habitat. The Main Loop is almost completely flat, with only a few mild inclines and declines. It stays near the water's edge, allowing maximum visibility of the bird life on the water. During the spring, the area is full of ponds and marshes, but many of these dry up and give way to tall grasses later in the season.

Several bald eagles call this area home. Due to several social trails and animal tracks throughout the area, it's important to check in with the map regularly, but due to the area's small size, flat terrain, and easily identifiable human landmarks, it would be hard to get lost in the area.

This trail is popular with horseback riders so watch for road apples.

As tempting as it seems, don't try to connect the far end of the trail to the parking area by cutting cross country. You'll be in for a rough haul, and an arduous tromp over delicate aquatic life. Just take this as an out and back and have fun!

Bald eagles, geese, ducks, and red-winged blackbirds are just a few examples of the birds that you'll see here.