Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Nature reserve in Santa Cruz County, United States.
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area is a nature reserve spanning roughly 45,000 acres of grasslands, woodlands, and oak-covered hills crossed by a year-round creek system. The land blends open grassland areas with denser forest sections, creating layered terrain between desert and mountain regions.
The area was shaped in the late 1800s by the establishment of the Empire Ranch, which operated continuously as a cattle operation for about 140 years. This long agricultural history left lasting marks on how the land has been used and managed through the decades.
Native American heritage sites remain scattered across the land, and Hollywood filmmakers discovered the landscape decades ago as a perfect backdrop for Western movies. Walking here, you can sense how the place held meaning for both indigenous peoples and later storytellers who found drama in the terrain.
Visitors can explore multiple trails suitable for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, with primitive camping available at designated sites for up to 14 days. Plan your visit during moderate weather months, since summers get very hot and winters can be cool.
The area contains rare Southwest habitats including wetlands, cottonwood-willow forests, and distinctive grasslands nestled in a transition zone between desert and mountains. This mix of different ecosystems allows visitors to experience several landscape types within a single visit.
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