Borax Lake Preserve

Please observe the following guidelines while visitng:

• The taking off or landing of an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) is prohibited on the preserve
• Stay on the trail. Don't collect plants, insects or other species or disturb soil, rocks, artifacts or scientific research markers. 
• Do not enter/disturb lake or adjacent hot springs.
• No dogs. Preserves harbor ground-nesting birds and other wildlife that are extremely sensitive to disturbance.
• Please observe social distancing guidelines, follow all posted site usage/visitation guidance and wear a mask whenever encountering other guests. 
• No bicycles or motorized vehicles. Native plants and research sites are easily trampled.
• No hunting, fishing, camping or campfires.
• For groups of 10 or more, please contact us before visiting a preserve (a volunteer naturalist guide may be available).
• Please bring a bag and carry out any trash you find.
• Please report to us any problems you observe (e.g., camping, plant removal, hunting, off-road vehicle damage, etc).

What to See: Animals

The lake and surrounding ponds and marshes, including wetlands dominated by three-square bulrush, provide habitat for many waterfowl and other birds, including snowy plovers, black necked stilts, Forster's terns, black-crowned night herons, American avocets, willets, phalaropes and other shorebirds. Because the lake and marsh do not freeze in winter, they provide important habitat for wintering waterfowl. Canada geese, long-billed curlews and marsh hawks nest in the area. Neotropical birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway use the area as a stopover. Western whip-tail and leopard lizards are found here at the northern end of their range.

Please remember that Borax Lake is a biological reserve. Only foot traffic is allowed, with vehicle access limited to handicapped visitors and scientists conducting research. Do not enter or otherwise disturb the lake or adjacent hot springs.