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Putah Creek Wildlife Area

view of ridge trail at Putah Creek WA, with Lake Berryessa in the distance

Putah Creek Wildlife Area is 673 acres of gently sloping to steep hillsides of cottonwood riparian, blue oak woodland, and chamise chaparral natural communities. Just a few of the species supported by these habitats include California towhee, Bullock's oriole, and black-headed grosbeak. This area is just downstream of the Monticello dam, where Cold Creek enters Putah Creek, and includes Stebbins' Cold Canyon Reserve.

The area was burned in the summer of 2020 during the LNU Complex fire and in 2015 during the Wragg fire. These ecosystems are fire adapted but keeping to established trails will hasten recovery.

Please check with other public land managing agencies in the area to determine accessibility on their lands.

For more information, call the Bay Delta Region's Fairfield office at (707) 428-2002.

Map of Putah Creek WA - click to enlarge in new window
Click to enlarge

Location

Bay Delta Region (Region 3)

Solano County

10 miles west of Winters

Access: Highway 128 to just east of the Monticello dam. Watch for parking on west side of road but use caution as this parking occurs on a sharp turn in the road. Trailhead is south of the parking area, across Highway 128.

General Location Map

CDFW Lands Viewer

Photo Gallery

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Recreational Opportunities

Fishing Hiking Trails Wildlife Viewing Deer Hunting Wild Pig Hunting Turkey Hunting Quail Hunting

Activities: fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and hunting

Putah Creek Bird Checklist

Hunting: Deer, wild pig, tree squirrel, rabbit, wild turkey, California quail, and dove may be present. Wildlife Area is closed between January 31 and opening of deer season.

Type C: Putah Creek Wildlife Area does not require the purchase of a hunting pass for entry. Entry permits and/or passes or special drawing may be required for hunting on some Type C wildlife areas.

Facilities: None

NOTE: Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to the use of Department lands.

Refer to the Public Uses on State and Federal Lands section of the Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use Regulations (PDF) booklet for both statewide and property-specific regulations.

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You may not operate a drone on CDFW Lands without a Special Use Permit.

Area History

Because of the steep, rocky nature of the terrain, cattle grazing is the only known use ever made of this area. The property was purchased by the Wildlife Conservation Board in two transactions, one in 1978 and another in 1979. It was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1981.

Wildlife Branch - Lands Program
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090