The Nature Center

At the intersection of the San Gabriel River and Los Coyotes Creek, El Dorado Park is one of the region’s  largest parks.  The Nature Center is a picturesque experience of native California habitat. 

Distance: 3.3 Miles  |  Difficulty:  ●●●●○

Upon entering the gates of El Dorado Nature Center from Spring Street, cross the footbridges of the North Lake to arrive at the ❶ NATURE CENTER MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTER. The gallery hosts exhibits from local artisans while a small bookstore provides visitors with an opportunity to purchase nature books and gifts. There are several hiking loops including a paved 1/4 mile and a one-mile and two-mile dirt trail. Trails traverse the over one-hundred acre natural oasis complete with two lakes, a stream, grasslands, native plants and groves of oaks and sycamores, filled with birds, turtles, insects and other wildlife. If you choose the 2-mile trail loop, you’ll arrive at the ❷ SOUTH LAKE the largest lake at the Nature Center home to migratory waterfowl in winter and egrets and herons year-round. Look in the high trees nearby to view Great-horned owls, osprey and other raptors. After exiting the gated grounds of the Nature Center, turn west and follow the service road along Spring Street to the ❸SAN GABRIEL RIVER TRAIL. Heading south on the paved river trail there is a collection of regional infrastructure to the east including Los Angeles County Flood Control District, Southern California Edison and the Southern California Water Replenishment District’s LEO VANDER LANS WATER TREATMENT FACITLIY. The facility supplies water to protect the Central Groundwater Basin from seawater contamination; ultimately protecting the region’s drinking water.  In the meadows here, look for Western meadowlarks and red-winged blackbirds.  You’ll also overlook the San Gabriel River channel to the west & a variety of bird life including double-crested cormorants, mallards and black-necked stilts. EL DORADO NATURE CENTER TRAILS are open 8am-5pm Tu-Su.  

Download The Nature Center Card Here.