What are the opening hours?

Monday 7am - 4pm Tuesday 7am - 4pm Wednesday 7am - 4pm Thursday 7am - 4pm Friday 7am - 4pm Saturday 7am - 4pm Sunday 7am - 4pm

Wind Wolves Preserve

Home
United States
Bakersfield, CA
Wind Wolves Preserve

The 93,000-acre Wind Wolves Preserve is one of 25 preserves in The Wildlands Conservancy.
(551)

Wind Wolves Preserve is in an ecologically unique region where the Transverse Ranges, Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, western Mojave Desert and San Joaquin Valley influences converge. Due to elevation ranges from 640 to 6,005 feet, the Preserve has an impressive array of landforms and habitats that serve as a critical landscape linkage and wildlife corridor between the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada.

On the valley floor, the Preserve is a 30-square-mile sea of grassland with remnant stands of saltbush. These grasslands are home to the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and blunt-nosed leopard lizard as well as one of the largest stands of the endangered Bakersfield cactus. Rolling grasslands rise from the valley floor, transitioning into classic California blue oak and valley oak savanna with extensive riparian wetlands. The oak savanna ascends into juniper and pinyon forests that vault into stands of ponderosa pine and big cone spruce. Wind Wolves Preserve has a rich cultural history, serving as the home of the Emigdiano Chumash for hundreds of years before the land became a ranch through the San Emigdio Land Grant. Colorful Chumash paintings have survived the decades and are among the most noteworthy rock art in North America.

09/05/2026

Attention Visitors: Wind Wolves Preserve will be open on Labor Day, Monday September 7th.

Seasonal Reminders:
- The preserve is open daily during the summer from 7am-4pm
- No trash bins available. Pack everything out that you pack in
- No charcoal grills or wood fires. Propane ok
- Camping at Wind Wolves is FREE & the best way to stay late and see the stars! Sites are still available for this holiday weekend.

Call (661)858-1115 or email [email protected] for questions and more information.

09/04/2026

Movies in the Canyon is hopping back into action!
Join us on Saturday, September 12th, 2026 for an evening under the stars featuring “The Princess and the Frog!” Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, family, and friends, and get ready to ‘ribbit’ your way into a fun night at Wind Wolves Preserve.

📍 Meeting Location: Sunset Theater
(Grassy area in front of the Administrative Center)
🕡 Check-In & Activities: 5:30 PM – 7:15 PM
🎥 Movie Begins: 7:30 PM

Come early and make a whole evening of it! We’ll have ongoing, kid-friendly activities before the movie begins. And if you’re only joining us for the movie, we recommend arriving 15–30 minutes before showtime to park, check in, use the restroom, and find your perfect spot.

The event is FREE, and reservations are NOT required. This program is subject to cancellation due to hazardous weather conditions, including high heat advisories. FREE camping is also available for reservation via phone (661) 858-1115 or email [email protected].

A big thank you to our summer series season sponsor, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) - Kern County Chapter, and our Movie sponsor, D Best Realty , for helping us make these movie nights possible!

Find additional event details through the link in our bio.

09/01/2026

Help hydrate the habitat! 🌱 Join us for an upcoming volunteer day at Wind Wolves Preserve this September!

Spend a rewarding morning outside, connect with fellow nature lovers, and make a real difference in local habitat restoration by providing extra water to our native plants. Every drop counts!

👉 Ready to make a splash? Tap the link in our bio to sign-up today!💧🌻

Have questions or need more info? Call (661)858-1115 or email: [email protected]

08/26/2026

Interested in becoming a Wind Wolves Preserve Docent? Join us for an upcoming Orientation Session!

Dates: Saturday, September 5th OR Sunday, September 6th
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Wind Wolves Preserve Administrative Center
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

What is a docent?
At Wind Wolves Preserve, docents are long-term volunteers who work independently and alongside staff to further our mission of protecting and sharing this special landscape. Opportunities include habitat restoration, trail maintenance, visitor engagement, outreach programs, guided hikes, large events, and more.

How to Join:
Visit our website for eligibility/requirements - you can scan the QR code on the graphic or click the link in our bio.
Fill out an interest form (available on the website), so we can learn more about you. We will also send you the registration link for our September orientations.
Attend ONE orientation session. You will learn about our organization, docent expectations, safety, and upcoming opportunities.

Note: All candidates must complete and pass a Live Scan background check. Coming to orientation is a great, low-commitment way to learn more and see if the program is the right fit for you before taking the next step! (Live Scan costs are fully eligible for reimbursement by The Wildlands Conservancy.)

08/20/2026

LAST SUNRISE HIKE OF THE SEASON!
Catch the sunrise with us at Wind Wolves Preserve before summer ends! On Sunday, August 23rd, we’re taking in the early morning views and crisp air along San Emigdio Canyon Trail - and we still have a few spots available!

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Time: 6:30 am - 8:30 am (gates open at 6:00 am)
Location: San Emigdio Canyon Trail (~ 2 mile loop, easy-medium difficulty with some uneven ground and short uphill sections, no strollers)

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Spaces are limited! Secure your spot by signing up through the link below:
https://wildlandsconservancy.org/events/

NOTE: This event is subject to cancellation due to adverse weather conditions, including high heat warnings.

This program is funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.

08/06/2026

UPDATE: The Night Hike scheduled for Friday, August 7th, 2026 has unfortunately been cancelled due to an active heat advisory in our area. Wind Wolves Preserve will remain open during standard summer daytime hours from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause. We encourage you to keep an eye on our social media pages for updates on upcoming events and future activities.

Thank you for your understanding, and stay safe in the heat!

08/01/2026

Grab your gardening gloves & giant water bottle, and come lend a hand at Wind Wolves Preserve this August! We'll be collecting a variety of native seeds for future habitat revitalization and enhancement projects, as well as also providing supplemental water to our more recently planted restoration plots.
Reservations are required and space is limited.

Click the link below for more info and to sign-up today!
https://linktr.ee/windwolvespreserve?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnFCUiaRYVvdHy9mDumJM6-sVVyTVcnEkvBB_Ob0ZJuxdirsqejiHa0MYP22A_aem_zef_ThKvm8ycWKSrG8Gghg

Questions? Call (661)858-1115 or email: [email protected]

This program is funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.

07/23/2026

Puncture vine (also known as goathead) is a non-native, invasive plant that can spread quickly and crowd out native vegetation. It is named for those infamous spiky seed pods that form after flowering and are designed to hitch a ride wherever they can… including on shoes, bike tires, and our four-legged friends!

🔎 How to spot it:
• Low-growing plant that spreads along the ground
• Pairs of small, green leaflets along its stems
• Small, yellow, five-petaled flowers
• And, of course, its sharp, star-shaped seed pods!

If you're hiking with your pup, keep an eye out for these prickly hitchhikers and check their paws (and your shoes!) after your adventure. Not only can those spines be painful, but they can also help this invasive plant spread to new places.

So next time you're out on the trail, spot the spikes, watch your step, and help us keep an eye on invasive species!

07/22/2026

Attention Visitors: Wind Wolves Preserve will be OPEN starting tomorrow morning Wednesday, July 22nd! Our hours are 7am-4pm daily for the summer season.

Potable water is temporarily unavailable at this time. Please make sure to bring plenty of water and electrolytes when visiting.

Use caution when hiking in high temperatures. Don't forget to stop for frequent shade breaks, bring plenty of sun protection and enough water for everyone in your group - including pets!

Have questions? Send us an email: [email protected] or call: (661)858-1115.

07/21/2026

UPDATE 9/1/26: Positions have been filled.

🌿 WE’RE HIRING: Part-Time Naturalist! 🌿
We are looking for a passionate educator to join our team and bring our outdoor programs to life. If you love sharing your love of nature with others and want to make a difference in your community, this is the perfect gig for you!

The primary role of the Naturalist is to lead school field trips, inspiring the next generation of nature lovers through hands-on outdoor learning.Naturalists also engage visitors of all ages through public programs and events, connecting our community to the wonders of the great outdoors. This position requires regular weekday AND weekend work.

Bilingual? While not required, being bilingual is a huge plus!
Qualifications, pay rate, and full job description are available on our website.

🔗 Ready to apply? Head to the link below! https://wildlandsconservancy.org/careers/

Address

16019 Maricopa Highway
Bakersfield, CA
93311

Opening Hours

Monday	7am - 4pm
Tuesday	7am - 4pm
Wednesday	7am - 4pm
Thursday	7am - 4pm
Friday	7am - 4pm
Saturday	7am - 4pm
Sunday	7am - 4pm

Telephone

+16618581115

Website

https://linktr.ee/windwolvespreserve

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Wind Wolves Preserve posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Wind Wolves Preserve:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Bakersfield?