Wind Wolves Preserve - Bakersfield, California

Carolina Ruiz

The BEST place to hike or enjoy the outdoors in Bakersfield. The preserve is open every single day (other than like 1-2 holidays- check their website or google to find out!) and is FREE to enjoy! I have been on quite a few of their trails and absolutely enjoy the calming atmosphere and the beautifully well-maintained trails. What’s fantastic? Is they also allow dogs on the preserve (with a leash) and Have dedicated event days where you can bring out your entire family and children and get to enjoy fun activities with the education staff (All of their special event days and volunteer days to work with the Rangers are posted at their kiosks). Coming here throughout, the different seasons is fantastic because there are so many different things to see with every new time of year! Right now I have gotten to see tule elk!! The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable… and the organization as a whole is really awesome. They are a nonprofit private organization (The Wildlands Conservancy) and have 25 different preserves!!! I definitely recommend this location if you are looking to get a good hike in or just come with friends and family to have a picnic or walk around or come to an event or even go camping! (Which is all still free!)

Charmene Aninion

First time here with the fam and we even brought my husky. It’s FREE admission.. there are a lot of trails. I suggest to arrive early for better/cooler weather and first dibs on closer parking. The place was clean. People were nice. Will definitely go back again. Loved the waterfall area.

Deepika K

We visited the place in the second week of March 2024—absolutely stunning landscape. The place transports you to another world filled with tranquility galore. There are several trails to explore; they also have a designated area for wildflower viewing.

Entrance is free. An information desk is also available, + several brochures with maps of trails and other helpful information.
There is free parking; however, when we arrived there around 11:00 AM, the parking was full near where the trails begin. We were lucky to get one spot after several minutes of circling the area.

We also spot almond and lemon orchards (Bakersfield) on our way.

I highly recommend visiting this place.

Jeff McLean

A reset trip from LA this spring. Located a few miles north of the grapevine where it dumps into the central valley.
Drive from the middle of the city to the entrance was about an hour and three quarter.
Provisions were available (AKA In n Out) at the discount stores area right off the 5 hwy. Wildflowers are just coming up (mid march) and should continue if not bust out over the next few months.
I will return to explore deeper into the higher peak loop trail, not for those who aren’t necessarily emphatic for a long hike.
Go there, you’ll love it long or short.

Brittanie Adaire Hikes

I finally took the time to explore this nature preserve in Bakersfield, and it was worth the detour. I was on my way back to the Central Valley from Los Angeles and took a 30-minute detour to Wind Wolves!
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With all this rain, I was excited to see some green hills and possibly wild flowers. The park isn't too large, I drove through the whole park to check it out. There is a little ranger booth when you first enter. It was a Monday afternoon, and no ranger was in the info booth. They do have public restrooms at their camp sites. The camp area is nice and shaded with a small stream running through it. The bathrooms had flushable toilets and running water.
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I drove up the hill and saw a trail head, I wasn't sure what that trail led to, so I drove back towards the entrance and hiked the short wildflower trail. You will get to a gate that has a sign that says trail open, close gate behind you. There are cattle that roam the area, so I think they keep the gates shut for them.
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The hills were Beautiful, there weren't too many Wildflowers out, I think it may have already been too hot. There are no trees or shade on this trail, it was fully sun exposed. Definitely want to go to this park in cooler weather or early mornings. I would love to go back and bring my family.
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The park is free and has free parking. Camping does cost money, not too sure the price.

Brendan Kiely

The Wind Wolves Preserve is a nice area for hiking. I visited in April and the grass fields were green with a few wildflowers. The views of the south Central Valley are nice and the rolling hills covered in green grass are a beautiful sight to see. There are a few trails in the preserve and I even saw a coyote during my hike which was a bonus.

Kathleen Blakistone

Special place, thankful it’s been set aside for conservation! Easy to strenuous trails, chiseled mountains and a creek. Informative docents and family fun programs. Go

Veronica Caceres

Is totally free it was amazing experience at festival of spring nature I enjoyed every stand very friendly staff and volunteers someones speak Spanish too, they Made a great job, about the park is huge and when you in you can definitely breathe a pure oxygen and feel in peace.