Junior Rangers meet every fourth Saturday of the month
About Placerita Canyon Natural Area
Placerita is an east-west running canyon featuring cool, shaded oak groves, a willow and sycamore-lined seasonal stream and numerous other interesting plant and animal communities. The historic "Oak of the Golden Dream" is the site of California's original gold discovery in 1842. Another landmark in Placerita is our Walker Cabin , built by Frank Walker in 1920 for his family.
A network of self-guiding nature, history and hiking trails radiates out into the park from the Center, with longer hikes leading to a seasonal waterfall and to the top of the Santa Clarita Divide. Picnicking is available near the Nature Center. The park encompasses oak woodland and chaparral on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains southeast of the City of Santa Clarita. The park not only serves to conserve a slice of the wild environment but also endeavors to educate the public on the value of undisturbed flora and fauna through wild animal shows, nature hikes and educational trails.
Please feel free to contact the Nature Center at (661) 259-7721, between 9 am and 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday (the office is closed on Mondays.) Or contact us by email at info@placerita.org. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Placerita Canyon Natural Area is located at 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA, 91321. Click here for a map and directions.
Nature Programs
Every Saturday we offer a Family Nature Walk at 11AM and a Native Live Animal Presentation at 1PM. There is no charge for these programs and they are fun for the whole family.
Our Junior Ranger Program for children ages 8-14 is conducted on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9:30AM to 11AM. Click here for a Jr. Ranger program brochure.
Every second Saturday of the month there is a docent led Bird Walk starting at 9AM for beginning to advanced birders. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and water.
Every fourth Saturday of the month there is a "Blooms of the Season" wildflower walk from 9:30AM to 10:30AM.
In addition, The Placerita Canyon Natural Area docents lead a monthly Bird Walk at Castaic Lake Recreation Area on the first Saturday of the month at 8:00AM. Call 661-259-7721 for directions.
Following is a list of our upcoming programs at the Nature Center this month:
September 18th -- Twilight Hike at 6PM. A twilight walk through Placerita Canyon Natural Area for the whole family.
September 18th -- Reptile Festival from from 10AM to 3PM.
September 25th -- "Blooms of the Season" wildflower walk from 9:30AM to 10:30AM.