Cosumnes River Preserve — Attraction in Galt

I'm glad I went and this place is around for people to really get a sense of nature and tranquility. I consider there are 3 main areas. The bird watching area which is across from the visitor area and on the other side of the road. It's flat and there are some benches. It's a paved road so good for people with limited mobility. There's a bathroom there too and parking.

Your going to see birds. I hope your into birds and even if your not you might be after seeing all these lovely birds in action. The day I went there were some hardcore people there with some thick scopes and they looked like they were having a great time. I was amazed to see a bunch of birds and a lot of different ones. It's a cool place for sure.

At the main area you can go left after the bridge to go on a paved part and look at some stuff. It's cool. It's a short loop and there was some cool things to look at. I never felt like I was immersed into nature. Maybe it was the pavement, but the nature didn't feel as free like it was more put on display like animals at the zoo.

Now if you go right your going to run into more people and I thought it was kinda annoying to be in such a beautiful place and hear other people's conversations and what not but that part of the preserve was very picturesque and beautiful. Lots of animals and things to catch your eye. You get to experience multiple different zones. My only put off was a group of folks wanting to picnic in a little clearing slightly off the path and while they were not passing a do not enter zone it kinda killed the vibe. Young kids are going to do their thing and I guess smoking it up and sipping on beers looking at nature is beneficial to them.

I did get lost by going past marker 21 or 22. Idk where the do not enter zone was but took me around the water area and I had to climb up the side and over the train tracks which are still active so glad nothing major went down. The place had really good signage as far as what areas were closed off idk what happened there at marker 21 / 22.

Anyways the volunteer staff are cool and the visitor center seemed nice.

Parking lot was pretty much full when I went, but I think there is a lower level and I think you can park where it's more for bird observation and walk over.

I saw a few groups of people on the water. I'm not going to lie I was kinda envious of them. You can get a pretty good workout hitting up the whole area. It was super cool to see some people pull up on the shaded embankment...

We came to see the sandhill cranes and walked the wetland trail. I do NOT recommend this for seeing the cranes. The trail begins by diverting you AWAY from the super obvious wetland habitat across the road. I guess this is done to make it a loop, but it was a huge time suck and following the trail signage was somewhat difficult. There were a number of unlabeled detours to nowhere that just dead-ended and seemed to have no purpose. There are trail markers that you can QR scan to visit their website and learn some fun facts, but we didn't have the patience for it. Part of the trail passes over wetland, but the reeds and other plants are so thick that there really isn't much to see. After passing through some forested area (look for spotted towhee here), the trail comes back out to the road and you cross into a vast grassland with myriad dragonflies and crickets and the full fury of the sun with zero relief. When we finally saw a walkway leading out into the wetland... well. It was a very sad. The entire thing seemed to be dried up. We took a chance and walked out all the way until we reached an observation deck at the end of the walkway and there was finally some water and birds. We saw various ducks, a white-faced ibis, black-bellied plovers, and some smaller birds in the reeds. After that, we were forced to backtrack to the grassland area and walked fully back to the area across the street from the parking lot before seeing water again. This was where we were finally able to see the cranes (along with various ducks, Canada geese, etc.). So... if you're here for the cranes... ignore the trail signage and just cross the road after you park your car. Don't forget to bring your binoculars. On the plus side, we WERE lucky enough to see a turkey vulture that had landed in the grassland area and we got to see it take off, too. It was truly enormous, we were very impressed, never having seen one on the...

For context, We are family of 6 (2 adults, 2 teens, a 7 year old and 1 yr old boy) we have been coming here for the last 16 years and little has changed. This preserve has been managed well and indeed preserves the natural beauty and wildlife therein. Sunsets are beautiful whether it be over the sky's reflection across the pond or when you are looking over the grassland while walking along the gravel or boardwalk trail. It's the best place nearest Stockton to go with your family, friends or by yourself when you need an escape from quarantine life or any other regular routine day. Today we saw a lot of birds but not much else. But over the years in different seasons, we've seen even most recently, snakes, crayfish, lizards, turtles, frogs, owls butterflies galore and I'm sure I'm missing many more. This place really helps reinvigorate the soul and I am so grateful we have this here and is only a 25 minute drive from our home in Stockton. I have to recommend this place to everyone who lives in Stockton and beyond. Take everyone you know out here and enjoy, have a picnic, let the kids walk around freely, try to spot the little critters and just take in the fresh air and the sights...you will appreciate this area as much as our family does...it's just a really nice and simple place, no hiking needed for a good view. If any one reading this review has any questions specifically about this place I'd be happy to add to it. Have fun and enjoy this place for many more...