Got a question?
We—hopefully—have an answer here. Read on for a ton of info about the Reserve, from the basics to the nitty-gritty, and if you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to get in touch.
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Much of the land that makes up the Reserve has shifted from private owners, like the Irvine Company, to government entities, including California State Parks, County of Orange, City of Irvine, City of Newport Beach, and University of California, Irvine. The Irvine Ranch Water District, Metropolitan Water District, Southern California Edison, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife are also NROC landowners.
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The environmental guidelines for the Reserve are laid out in the Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan for Central and Coastal Orange County—that’s a mouthful, so we just call it NCCP/HCP or the Plan. The 75-year plan was approved in 1996 and provides local protection and recovery of multiple plant and wildlife species and habitats. It also allows for compatible land use and appropriate development around the Reserve. Reserve landowners are accountable to federal and state wildlife agencies to preserve the natural state of the land and the quality of habitat through 2071.
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Though the Plan expires in 2071, the land that makes up the Reserve can only be used for conservation. The specific regulations may change, but these open spaces will be wild forever.
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The plan protects 39 species (see them all here), but the three target species are the Coastal California gnatcatcher, coastal cactus wren, and orange-throated whiptail lizard—their presence is considered proof of a healthy coastal sage scrub habitat.
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The wildlife you encounter will depend on the time and location of your NROC experience, but you’ll likely see many types of birds and reptiles. You might catch amphibians, mule deer, coyotes, and desert cottontails. The most common plants are those of the coastal sage scrub palette, which includes California sagebrush, California buckwheat, coyote brush, black, purple, or white sage, deerweed, and sticky monkeyflower. Explore our wildlife to see what other plants and animals you might encounter.
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The trails on land near the coast, which includes Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, and Crystal Cove State Park, are the most popular for both hikers and mountain bikers. These trails are most crowded on weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Visiting the Reserve is free to residents and non-residents alike! (Though a few areas have parking fees, like Crystal Cove State Park and several OC Parks trailheads.) There are also many activities you can enjoy for free, including guided hikes, interpretive programs, and more. Go here and here to see what’s happening.
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Much of the NROC is open to the public, and you do not need a permit to explore. Some areas of the Reserve are only accessible via guided hikes with trained docents—go here to see what activities are available. You can also register for Wilderness Access Day, a monthly event that lets participants explore trails that are typically closed to the public because of the habitats’ sensitivity and conservation protocols.
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In general, dogs are not allowed at the NROC. That’s because protecting the Reserve’s plants and animals is the number-one priority. Even the most well-behaved dogs can inadvertently harm plants and stress out wildlife, which can disrupt feeding, breeding, and nesting behaviors. The simple presence of a dog, even one that’s leashed and on-trail, can wreak havoc on an ecosystem. That said, there are a few parks and trails within the Nature Reserve of Orange County that do allow leashed dogs. Find out more here, then look for details on each individual park’s site. Following these guidelines will help ensure these wildlands continue to thrive!
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No, E-bikes are not permitted within the Nature Reserve of Orange County, as specified in the Plan that regulates these wildlands. Because of their speed and noise, E-bikes can have a negative effect on the sensitive ecosystems the Reserve exists to protect, including trail erosion and wildlife disturbance. Use of an E-bike within the Reserve may result in a citation and fine. Please respect the land and its inhabitants and ride your E-bike elsewhere.
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Orange County is part of the California Floristic Province—one of just 20 global biodiversity hotspots, and second only to rainforests in species richness. Many of the plants and animals here exist nowhere else on Earth. Coastal sage scrub and the related habitats found on the Reserve used to be widespread, but have been reduced to just 15 percent of their range. The fragments that are left are extraordinarily valuable. Conservation protects this habitat and saves our special species from extinction.
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These incredible wildlands benefit locals in myriad ways, but some of the most important include protecting water quality, reducing wildfire risk, safeguarding wildlife and habitat, and providing outdoor space for people to move, play, breathe, explore, and reconnect with nature and one another.
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Reach out to us via email at hello@natureserveoc.com
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Crystal Cove State Park is the only area in the Nature Reserve of Orange County where you can camp. Reserve a campsite with access to restrooms and hookups at Moro Campground, or opt for a more rugged experience by reserving one of the primitive campsites, which requires a strenuous hike-in. Learn more about NROC camping here, then go to Crystal Cove State Park‘s site for information about pricing and reservations.
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Yes, you can kayak at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. The Newport Bay Conservancy offers guided kayak tours year-round, which will put you up close and personal with the wildlife teeming in the bay. Learn more here, then register for an upcoming tour (or many other guided activities) at the Newport Bay Conservancy’s site.
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One of the Reserve’s most popular hikes leads visitors from Ridge Park in Newport Beach to the shores of Crystal Cove State Park, where hikers often have lunch at The Beachcomber or Crystal Cove Shake Shack. Other trails in Crystal Cove State Park that are part of the Nature Reserve of Orange County can be hiked down to the coastline. Learn more here.
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Fishing is prohibited in most of the Reserve, but there is one spot in the NROC that allows for it: the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. Fishing must be done from the Ecological Reserve’s designated points, and visitors 16 and over must have a fishing permit. Commercial fishing is never allowed. Learn more here.
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Most of the land within the Nature Reserve of Orange County is dog-free in order to best support the natural habitats being protected. But there are some beautiful areas of the Reserve that welcome leashed dogs, including the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, Peters Canyon Regional Park, Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, and Talbert Regional Park. Find out more here.
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Yes, there are a ton of different guided activities you can enjoy in the Reserve, led by volunteers with in-depth knowledge of the land and its wildlife. Every park in the NROC offers these incredible opportunities—from bike rides to bird walks—all you have to do is choose the one that works for you. Find out more here, then check out these resources to see what’s on the calendar and sign up:
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The trails on land near the coast, which includes Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, and Crystal Cove State Park, are the most popular for both hikers and mountain bikers. These trails are most crowded on weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Visiting the Reserve is free to residents and non-residents alike! (Though a few areas have parking fees, like Crystal Cove State Park and several OC Parks trailheads.) There are also many activities you can enjoy for free, including guided hikes, interpretive programs, and more. Go here and here to see what’s happening.
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No, E-bikes are not permitted within the Nature Reserve of Orange County, as specified in the Plan that regulates these wildlands. Because of their speed and noise, E-bikes can have a negative effect on the sensitive ecosystems the Reserve exists to protect, including trail erosion and wildlife disturbance. Use of an E-bike within the Reserve may result in a citation and fine. Please respect the land and its inhabitants and ride your E-bike elsewhere.
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Trail closures can happen at any time, for many reasons, but they often happen when weather conditions—like fire risk or rain—make trails unsafe. Before heading out on your adventure, check the trail condition at the landowner or land manager’s site of the park you plan on going to. Helpful resources include:
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The Reserve features trails of almost every length, from 2 miles to 20, and the skill level required varies just as much. Some trails offer flat, paved paths for easy strolling. Others are rugged singletracks with challenging changes in elevation. Before hitting the Reserve, read through our First-Time Visitor’s Guide for an overview of some of the most popular trails, then look for details at the appropriate landowner or land manager’s site. Helpful resources include:
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More than 400 of the planet’s bird species make their home in Orange County, and you can see many of them at the NROC. People flock to the Reserve for their birding adventures, and while you’ll catch glimpses of native species at every park here, you’ll want to tailor your visit to the habitats you’re looking for. This guide to birding in Orange County, from the Sea and Sage Audubon Society, includes seven of the parks that are part of the Reserve, where you can look for the species protected by the NCCP/HCP, as well as many others.
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The Reserve is home to many species year-round, so you’ll always see some of our fine feathered friends. During the winter migratory season, even more species descend on the Reserve, particularly in the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
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Several Nature Reserve of Orange County partners host bird walks throughout the year in a variety of parks, including Irvine Ranch Open Space, Peters Canyon Regional Park, and Santiago Oaks Regional Park. Check out the activities at Let’s Go Outside to see what’s happening and register for an upcoming event.
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Yes, there are a number of trails throughout the Nature Reserve of Orange County that are equestrian-friendly, with trailheads that have appropriate parking resources. Check out these lots, which all accommodate horse trailers: Quail Hill Loop Trail in Irvine, Glenn Ranch Parking Lot at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Big Bend Staging Area at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, and the Train Station Parking Lot at Irvine Regional Park.
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Horses always have the right of way. Hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and any other trail users should yield to horses when exploring the Reserve. This keeps the trails safe and efficient for all NROC visitors.
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Visitor safety is a priority, and we hope all bicyclists and equestrians who enjoy the Reserve feel the same. As all trail riders know, there are inherent risks when exploring the land on a bike or horse. The use of helmets is not typically enforced in the Reserve, but wearing them is recommended for all riders.
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There are six interpretive centers within the Nature Reserve of Orange County, and each one offers a different educational experience: the Nix Nature Center at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, the Visitor Center at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, the Nature Center at Irvine Regional Park, the Nature Center at Santiago Oaks Regional Park, the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center at Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, and the Back Bay Science Center at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. You can find more about these centers here, and on each park’s page.
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Before heading out on a trail for the first time, consider printing a trail map (or grab one when available at the trailhead or Ranger Station). It’s easy to get lost while hiking, especially where multiple trails connect, even for experienced hikers and cyclists. Trail signage exists, so keep an eye out for it, but it’s best to have an additional navigation source when exploring the Reserve. Depending on which park you plan on visiting, trail maps can be found on each park’s landowner and land manager websites. Helpful resources include:
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Most wildlife you’ll encounter at the Nature Reserve of Orange County will not pose a threat to your safety. If you encounter an animal on a trail, stay calm and avoid sudden movements. Simply appreciate the moment and do your best not to interfere—refrain from approaching the animal and definitely do not offer it any food. Allow an escape route for the animal and speak calmly or clap softly if the animal has not noticed you.
Though encountering them is rare, some larger or venomous animals could be threatening. If you encounter a mountain lion, maintain eye contact, speak firmly, make yourself look larger, and slowly back away—do not crouch or run. If you see a snake on the trail, stop and give it space—most bites happen when people try to move or handle snakes. Walk around from a safe distance. When you spot mule deer, stay quiet and give them lots of space, especially if fawns are present.
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Every trail in the Nature Reserve of Orange County offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and the native plants and wildlife that make their home here. On the trails within the Coastal Reserve—which includes Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park, and Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Nature Preserve—you might see mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, multiple types of reptiles, and birds of prey, among other species. The trails within the Central Reserve—like the Irvine Ranch Open Space—provide similar wildlife viewing opportunities, with the possibility of observing an even greater diversity of species since there are fewer humans exploring here, and less development nearby.
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The education, visitor, and interpretive centers within the NROC are one of the best ways visitors can become acquainted with the breadth of wildlife and open space we have in Orange County, and we want every local kid to grow up with access to nature. Many of the nature centers have daily drop-in hours and lots of scheduled public programming available to groups. To organize a more specific outing, contact the nature center directly. You’ll find information on each one here, and on each individual park’s page.
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The lands within the Nature Reserve of Orange County extend right up to the blufftops of some beachside locations at Crystal Cove State Park and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, overlooking the coast. The lands in the Reserve afford visitors breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, but the beach itself is not part of the NROC.
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There is only one spot in the NROC that allows for fishing, and yes, visitors 16 years and older need a permit to do so. For more information, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, OC Parks, or Newport Bay Conservancy.
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Though most of the NROC is reserved for the land’s native inhabitants, there are a few parks that welcome dogs, and yes, they must be leashed. This minimizes the detrimental effects dogs can have on a natural ecosystem and keeps all visitors and their pets as safe as possible. Following this guideline helps ensure these wildlands can thrive, and your help is greatly appreciated. Learn more about which areas of the Reserve welcome dogs here.
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Crystal Cove State Park is the only area in the Nature Reserve of Orange County that offers camping. Learn more here, then go to Crystal Cove State Park’s site for information about pricing and reservations.
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Every park in the NROC offers incredible opportunities to learn more about the land and its wildlife from dedicated, knowledgeable volunteers. From bike rides to bird walks, there are guided activities of every kind to enjoy; all you have to do is choose the one that works for you. Check out these resources to see what’s on the calendar and sign up:
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The guided activities offered in each park of the NROC are generally free, though there may be a nominal parking fee, depending on the park and its associated lots. Simply check out these resources to see what activities are on the calendar, and sign up for an adventure: