Round Valley Regional Preserve facts for kids

Round Valley Regional Preserve is a cool regional park located near the cities of Antioch and Brentwood in California. It's part of the East Bay Regional Parks system, which manages many parks in the area. You can find it on Marsh Creek Road.

This park started in 1988 when a man named Jim Murphy sold about 700 acres of land to the park district. This land had been in his family since 1878, when his great-grandfather, Thomas Murphy, bought it for farming and ranching. Since then, the preserve has grown a lot and now covers a huge 1911 acres! It's a big, beautiful place to explore.

Round Valley is also a starting point for special bus tours that go to Vasco Caves Regional Preserve. Plus, it's right next to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. The park is close to the Diablo mountain range, so its wooded hills look very different from the flat, open land just a few miles east.

Amazing Animals of Round Valley

Round Valley Regional Preserve is home to many different kinds of animals. You might spot mammals like the California ground squirrel and the desert cottontail, which is a type of rabbit. There's also the tiny San Joaquin pocket mouse.

One very special animal here is the endangered San Joaquin kit fox. Round Valley is one of the northernmost places where these foxes live in California.

Birds are also common, including majestic golden eagles and the unique burrowing owl. Both of these birds are considered "Species of Special Concern" in California, meaning they need extra protection.

Because the wildlife here is so important and sensitive, dogs are not allowed in the preserve. Signs are posted to remind everyone to help protect these animals.

Round Valley Regional Park View March 6, 2009

Fun Things to Do

Round Valley Regional Preserve is a great place for outdoor adventures! You can go hiking, ride your horse, or even bike on some of the trails. There's also a special camping spot for groups if you want to spend a night under the stars.

The main parking area at Round Valley is one of the places where special tour buses pick up visitors. These buses take people on pre-booked tours to the amazing Vasco Caves Regional Preserve. Another pick-up spot for these tours is at Brushy Peak Regional Preserve.

Discover the Trails

There are two main trails that are perfect for exploring the park.

Hardy Canyon Trail

The Hardy Canyon Trail is about 3 miles long. It starts right after you cross the Marsh Creek bridge near the parking lot. This trail is known for its beautiful views! It begins in a small group of oak trees and then climbs up to an open, grassy area. From there, you can see fantastic views of the whole Round Valley. Most of this trail is a narrow path, which makes it feel like a true adventure.

Miwok Trail

The Hardy Canyon Trail eventually goes down into Round Valley and ends at the Miwok Trail. If you turn right onto the Miwok Trail, you can follow it for about 1.3 miles to get back to the parking lot. It's a great way to complete your loop and see more of the preserve.