Explore Kindly.
Welcome to the Nature Reserve of Orange County—38,000 acres of protected urban wildlands for all to enjoy. Come explore! And get to know the many parks that make up this special place, and the plants and animals that call this land home.
The Nature Reserve of Orange County—stewarded wildlands from the mountains to the sea.
Across Orange County are 38,000 acres of permanently protected natural land, and it’s nothing short of epic. There are coastal wetlands, rolling grasslands, and soaring bluffs, all of which are home to a thriving ecosystem of plants and animals. Come get awed.
Find Your Park
Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
Experience exhilarating ocean views and peaceful creekside trails in these 4,500 acres.
Buck Gully Reserve
More than 250 acres of lush wilderness tucked into a Newport Beach neighborhood.
Coal Canyon Ecological Reserve
These 1,000 acres of grasslands and coastal sage scrub are a favorite among migrating deer.
Crystal Cove State Park
Where more than three miles of majestic coastline meet 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness.
City of Irvine Open Space Preserve North
Features one of Orange County's best vista points: Loma Ridge Peak.
City of Irvine Open Space Preserve South
Enjoy an immersive trail system in 4,000 acres of pristine natural landscapes.
Irvine Ranch Open Space
These 25,000 acres are so epic they've been designated a National Natural Landmark.
Irvine Regional Park
Immersive nature paired with traditional park activities—playgrounds, picnic areas, a zoo, and more.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Expansive vistas and 40 miles of trails in 7,000 acres of Laguna's coastal canyons.
Peters Canyon Regional Park
Rolling hills, a glittering reservoir, panoramic views, and plenty of trails in the city of Orange.
Santiago Oaks Regional Park
A nature lover's nirvana: nearly 1,300 blissfully secluded acres alongside Santiago Creek.
Talbert Regional Park
Nearly 3 miles of trails wind through 200 acres of scenic Costa Mesa landscapes.
UC Irvine Ecological Preserve
More than 60 acres next to UC Irvine's campus make up a stunning natural site that supports crucial research.
Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve
This coastal wetland, one of SoCal's largest, is a bird-watching paradise.
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Hike the bluffs around the Bay then visit the state-of-the-art interpretive center.
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
These 25,000 acres in Lake Forest are home to the iconic Red Rock Canyon.
Protection and preservation are what we do best.
All of Earth’s elements are interconnected—if one thrives, others will follow. The NROC was established to create a permanent habitat for Orange County’s plants and wildlife—a new and innovative approach to species protection and rehabilitation, supported by developers, government agencies, and environmental organizations, all working together to keep OC wild.
Our Stewardship