Located in the City of Sonora, the Dragoon Gulch Trail provides its visitors with a unique opportunity to stroll through the Mother Lode’s oak woodlands.  The Dragoon Gulch Trail is a system of trails creating a 2 ½ mile loop.  The trails travel along a natural creek up to the vista that provides a spectacular view of the City and its surrounding mountain ranges.  The trails vary in difficulty making it perfect for the casual walker and for those who want a strenuous hike or jog.

Dragoon Gulch Master Plan click here

Master Plan FAQ click here

LENGTH - 2.5 Mile Loop

HOURS - Dawn to Dusk

DIFFICULTY - Easy to Strenuous

SURFACE - The South Creekside Trail is surfaced and ADA accessible, the North Forest Trail is paved, and all other trails are natural surface

CAMPING - No Camping

FEES - No Fees

DIRECTIONS - The main entrance to the Trail is located at Woods Creek Park.  From the Bay Area and Central Valley take Highway 108 East to Highway 49 North into the City of Sonora.  From Highway 49 turn left on Woods Creek Drive (across from the Mother Lode Fairgrounds) and follow the signs to the trail.  If traveling south on Highway 49 into the City, stay on Highway 49 and turn right on Woods Creek Drive. 

The secondary and ADA entrance for the Trail is located at the end of Alpine Lane. To access this entrance from the Bay Area and Central Valley, continue on Highway 49 North, then, at the Historic Red Church, turn left onto Snell Street. Take Snell Street to the first stop sign (about 1/3 mile), continue straight thought the intersection. The street name is now Bonanza Road. Go one block and turn right onto Calaveras Street. Go one block and turn left onto Alpine Lane. Take Alpine Lane to the first intersection (about 1/8 mile). There are no street signs at the intersection, just turn left and go one block through the gate to the Alpine Lane parking lot, which is just before the entrance to the trails. Remember the gate is locked at dark. If traveling south on Highway 49, turn right on School Street, near Sonora High School, then turn right on Snell Street and follow the directions above. 

PARKING – Woods Creek Park – Near the main trail entrance, this parking lot is accessed off of Highway 49.  Kiosks display information about the Trail at this site.

Alpine Lane Parking Lot – The parking lot provides ADA access to the trail and is located off of Alpine Lane.  The gate is locked at dark.  Kiosks display information about the Trail at this site.

RESTROOMS – Restrooms for the Trail are located at its main entrance in Woods Creek Park

INFORMATION – City of Sonora, Community Development Department, 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370, (209) 532-3508, Fax (209) 532-3511, rkellogg@sonoraca.com.

BACKGROUND – The Dragoon Gulch Trail Project officially began in 2002 with the City’s receipt of a $500,000 Roberti-Z’Berg-Harris Nonurbanized Area Grant (RZH).

The 35 acre site had been slated for residential development but owner, Dr. Audry Glover, was in support of the City’s efforts and sold the property to the City at a reduced rate.  The remaining grant funds have been used to develop the 2.5 mile looped trail.  The Stanislaus National Forest’s Trail Crew and Baseline Conservation Camp assisted the City with trail development.

Through an additional $500,000 RZH Grant, the City purchased the adjacent 67 acres from Mr. Robert and Mrs. Grace Cutler.  The Cutlers, who supported the trail project, sold the property to the City at a reduced rate.  In the future, trails will be developed on this property as well and incorporated within the Dragoon Gulch Trail System.

The development of the Dragoon Gulch Trail was accomplished with the assistance of many individuals and agencies, without who, this project would not have become a reality.