The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night July through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. Docents mark new routes throughout the season to keep things exciting.

VISITORS MUST

• Pay the $10 per adult registration fee. Children ride free with a paid adult.
• Register by 6pm Sunday to receive the pre-visit email and notifications. Late registrants will need to show their confirmation email at checkin.
• Liability waivers must be printed and completely filled out prior to arrival. Single-day waivers are required at each visit, unless you are a season pass holder with a digital waiver on file.

We have put procedures and policies in place for the safety of the public, volunteers, and staff. We are only able to offer public hikes/rides and activities if all the following protocols are observed. Thank you for your cooperation.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU REGISTER

• If you plan to attend 8 or more outings (rides or hikes) in the next 12 months, consider purchasing a Season Pass for $75. Season pass holders also get the added perk of digitally signing a year-long liability waiver. This means no printing and filling out the form for every visit! Season passes support public programs and stewardship of Deer Creek Hills Preserve.
• Attendees must pay the $10 per adult fee and sign a liability waiver. Registration fees are not refundable but can be transferred to a future outing if you contact us ahead of time.
• The road to access Deer Creek Hills is not paved and can be rough on low clearance vehicles.
• All events are subject to weather conditions. Projected rain, high creek levels, extremely muddy conditions, excessive heat or unsafe air quality may cancel the outing. We will do our best to notify registered guests the evening prior via email. Please check our online calendar for cancellation postings before you travel to the preserve.
• Gates open at 4:30 and close at 8pm.
• There is no running water on site. Arrive hydrated and bring plenty of drinking water. Porta-potties are available at the trailhead and serviced every Friday. Bring your own hand sanitizer. Leave No Trace Ethics; Pack It In – Pack It Out.

Deer Creek Hills Terrain

The terrain at Deer Creek Hills is a mix of rolling savanna grasslands, dotted with dramatic blue oaks and open vistas overlooking Sacramento’s largest open space preserve. The trails include cross country style single track, rocky creek crossings, with some technical climbing sections. Deer Creek Hills serves as a working cattle ranch from November through May, as a result, the cattle have proven to be superb designers for creating flowy single track. SVC Docents will map and mark trails with cones for riders to explore. Marked trails change weekly to keep rides interesting.

This venue is ideal for experienced riders with knowledge of shifting to lower gears for climbing hills, and bicycle handling for rapidly changing terrain. This is not considered a beginner’s course.

BEFORE YOU ATTEND

• Review the information on your confirmation email advising you of what to bring and how to prepare. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes, and bring a cell phone, snacks and plenty of water. SVC Staff working the event will exchange cell numbers with you prior to riding out.
• Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC recommendations, and adhere to any other mandated directives.
• If you are feeling sick or that old injury is acting up, please stay home and postpone your visit until you’re feeling well.
• Print and fill out the Liability Waiver (available here on our website) and bring it with you.

WHAT TO BRING

Riders are responsible for bringing their own bike and personal riding equipment, including helmet, tire repair kits, spare tubes, and pumps, and must carry a cell phone when cycling on the property. No exceptions. Mountain bikes or CycloCross bikes with knobby tires are recommended. Road bikes or slick tires are not recommended. As the season progresses through summer, riders must bring emergency bike lights in case of being caught out in the dark.

Motorized access is restricted on Deer Creek Hills Preserve. In an effort to increase recreational opportunities, especially for those with physical limitations, low-speed electric bicycles defined as Class1 e-bikes, which are operated in the pedal assist mode, will be allowed on the preserve this season (per Cal. Veh. Code. § 312.5; § 21200 – 21212; § 21207.5; § 24016). The use of e-bikes during Mountain Bike Season must be disclosed to SVC staff upon check-in. Electric assisted bicycles are not to exceed 15 miles per hour while on the preserve. The use of e-bikes on the preserve is subject to change at any time. All cyclists must stay on the “pre-approved” trails. Any visitor who fails to follow the rules will be asked to leave, no refunds given and not allowed to return for the duration of the season.

Sandals and open toed shoes are not allowed. Please wear clothing appropriate for the weather conditions and mountain biking. Bring your signed Liability Form, water supply and high energy snacks. Portalets are available on site and serviced every Friday, but these are high-use areas so come prepared with your own hand sanitizer. There is no running water on the property. Arrive hydrated and bring plenty of drinking water. All visitors must practice Leave No Trace. Pack it in, pack it out. Smoking is prohibited.

WHAT TO LEAVE HOME

• Mud and Dirt! Please clean shoes, gear and all tires before coming to the preserve. Managing invasive species costs us thousands each year. Clean gear helps keep the preserve open for recreation.
• Animals. No dogs or pets allowed on the preserve, except working service dogs (please let us know when you register online and check in with a staff member upon your arrival)
• Drones or other remote-controlled gadgets
• Hunting and fishing gear
• Shovels or mining gear (unless tools were specifically requested for a volunteer project you signed up for)
• Dirt bikes and ATVs
• Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, lighters and matches. Smoking is strictly prohibited and fire is a major concern on the Preserve.

WHEN YOU CHECK IN

• Have your completed Liability Waiver Form ready.
• Utilize our Boot Brush station to help prevent the introduction of invasive species.
• Trails are marked. For your safety and to respect the Preserve, please do not venture off the marked trails. We suggest that if visitors choose to take rests, they do so just off of the trail on the most durable surfaces.

RESOURCES

• • Directions to Deer Creek Hills Preserve
  • Adult Release of Liability – please print, complete, and bring with you
  • Minor Release of Liability – only required if you are chaperoning minors of which you are NOT a legal guardian
  • Visitor FAQ
  • Guest Biking Rules
  • Season Pass

CANCELLATION POLICY

Heat: A National Weather Service heat index that puts staff and visitors in the Danger zone will close Deer Creek Hills.

Air: Air quality is monitored using purpleair.org throughout the summer months. According to the Pollution Standard Index (PSI) it is unsafe to ride if the AQI is at or above 138. As a result, the ride will be canceled.

Red Flag warnings: Red flag warnings are monitored throughout the summer. Docents work hard every weekend to keep trails clear of brush and dry grass in order to limit fire danger. Unless there is an active fire burning in close proximity to the preserve, riding will be allowed on red-flag days.

Registered riders will be notified via email if this ride must be canceled, and given the option to transfer registration to any future ride or donate fees to stewardship & trail maintenance projects on the Preserve. Registration payments are not refundable.

If you have extenuating circumstances or are unable to attend a ride, please contact us as soon as possible for assistance. Ticket transfer requests can be directed to Amy Rodrigues arodrigues@sacramentovalleyconservancy.org

If you have additional questions about mountain bike season at Deer Creek Hills Preserve, please contact SVC Program Coordinator, Carly Amatisto at (916) 612-3719 or outreach@sacramentovalleyconservancy.org