Cache Creek Natural Area

Overview

This secluded, hilly expanse of oak woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral is a combination of over 70,000 acres of BLM managed lands and 4,700 acres of State and County lands. The Natural Area is traversed by Cache Creek, with its year-round water flow. Elevation ranges from 3200 feet atop Brushy Sky High, down to 600 feet in the eastern end of Cache Creek along State Route 16. Showcasing the area is about 35 miles of the main fork of Cache Creek and 2.5 miles of the north fork.

The Cache Creek Natural Area is a primitive area, closed to motorized vehicles. There are no developed campgrounds or facilities. Non-hunting (target) shooting is not allowed. Instead, the area is managed to improve habitat for wildlife and rare plants, to protect cultural resource values, and to offer primitive recreation opportunities, including wildlife viewing, river running, hiking, equestrian use, hunting and fishing. On October 17, 2006, President George W. Bush signed the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Act, designating approximately 27,245 acres within the Cache Creek Natural Area (CCNA) as the Cache Creek Wilderness Area. As a result of this designation, bicycles are not permitted within the designated Wilderness Area.

Redbud Trail: From Interstate 5 at Williams, take Highway 20 west about 29 miles to the North Fork Cache Creek/Redbud Trailhead. The trailhead provides parking, maps and information for hiking and equestrian access. (Or: From Clearlake Oaks, travel east on State Highway 20 for 8 miles to the trailhead.

Judge Davis Trail: From Interstate 5 at Williams, take Highway 20 west about 20 miles to mile marker 46.07. There is a parking lot on the south side of the highway. The trail parallels Highway 20 for the first 80 yards or so, then cuts back into the hills. (Or: From Clearlake Oaks, travel east on State Highway 20 for 17 miles to the trailhead.)

Cache Creek Ridge Trail: This trail can be accessed from two points. Judge Davis Trailhead: From Interstate 5 at Williams, take Highway 20 west about 20 miles to mile marker 46.07. There is a parking lot on the south side of the highway. (Or: From Clearlake Oaks, travel east on State Highway 20 for 17 miles to the trailhead.) Highway 16: From Interstate 5 at Williams, take State Highway 20 west for about 19 miles to its junction with State Highway 16. Travel south on Highway 16 for 7.0 miles to confluence of Bear Creek and Cache Creek. Limited parking is available on the west side of Hwy 16 at BLM gate. (Or: from Clearlake Oaks, go east on State Highway 20 to Highway 16 intersection, then follow directions above.)

Cowboy Camp Loop Trail: From Interstate 5 at Williams, take State Highway 20 west for about 19 miles to its junction with State Highway 16. Travel south on Highway 16 for 1 mile. Parking lot is on the right. (Or: from Clearlake Oaks, go east on State Highway 20 to Highway 16 intersection, then follow directions above.)