Fast Facts
With funding from the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the City of Scotts Valley protected this land in 2003. Thanks to the support of Land Trust members, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County built and manages over seven miles of trail on the East and West sides the preserve and manages the property for special species protection.
170
Total Acres3
Miles of Trails in West Glenwood4.2
Miles of Trails in East Glenwood
Why This Land Is Preserved
In 1993, a concerned group of citizens formed the Friends of Glenwood. The group worked to overturn plans to develop what is now Glenwood Open Space Preserve. The proposed development would have removed the hilltops and placed 276 homes and a golf course on 170 acres. Thanks to their efforts, this last remaining undeveloped land in Scotts Valley continues to be forests, meadows, riparian areas, and wetlands.
Glenwood is home to a high number of rare and endangered species, including the Ohlone tiger beetle, Opler’s longhorn moth, and the Scotts Valley spineflower. The land also works to recharge the aquifer beneath it, the prime source of water for the community.
The cows on the property are part of the strategy to protect the rare and endangered species on the property. As the Preserve Manager, we have the responsibility of protecting and enhancing the habitat for these special species. Conservation grazing is one of the ways we enhance the habitat for endangered species. Some species thrive with short grass and bare soil, and cattle grazing is an effective way to accomplish this.
The Glenwood Open Space Preserve trail system was designed, permitted, and built by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County through donations from our members. A grant from Caltrans helped pay for the trails at the East Preserve. We believe in a “big tent,” so we have provided something for everyone at the Glenwood Preserve.
The Preserve consists of two properties, each with different rules, on different sides of Glenwood Drive in Scotts Valley. All trails are maintained by Land Trust Santa Cruz County staff and volunteers.
Note that the trails at the top of West Glenwood belong to the Salvation Army Redwood Glen Camp and Conference Center. They are kind enough to allow visitors to use their trails from September through May. No bikes are permitted, but you can walk your dog on a leash. Please be respectful of their property and staff. Using these trails is a privilege, not a right.
Available Activities
- Hiking
- Dog Walking
- Mountain Biking
- Horseback Riding
Access Overview
West Glenwood Open Space Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset for hiking, mountain biking, and dog walking.
2-4 foot wide trails
Loop trails
Gentle gradients
All plants and animals are protected
Dogs must be on a leash. Pick up after your dog(s).
NO camping
NO smoking, fireworks, open fires
NO motor vehicles
NO horses
NO alcohol
East Glenwood Open Space Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset for horseback riding. The equestrian entrance is located on Canham Road. Please read the Equestrian Brochure and Equestrian Trail Map before heading out on the trails. The gate code is HORS (4677).
All plants and animals are protected
NO dogs
NO bicycles
NO smoking, fireworks, open fires
NO alcohol
East Glenwood Open Space Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset for hiking.
2-4 foot wide trails
Several bridges
Water district road
Gentle gradients
Access points from neighborhoods
Pond
Cattle
All plants and animals are protected
NO dogs
NO bicycles
NO smoking, fireworks, open fires
NO alcohol
Frequently Asked Questions
Dogs are allowed at West Glenwood. They must be on a leash at all times.
Mountain bikes are allowed at West Glenwood.
Horses are allowed anywhere on or off-trail at East Glenwood in the equestrian area (see brochure for details). Please note that the East Glenwood Preserve has challenging terrain and narrow trails. The trails are best experienced by intermediate or expert riders.
Dogs and bikes are not allowed at East Glenwood due to conflicts with cattle. Cattle see dogs as predators and can act aggressively toward them or their owners. Cattle can also be scared by dogs and bikes, potentially resulting in the herd running on the trails to escape, which could injure other trail users.
Please call us at (831) 649-6116 or email Steve.Root@landtrustsantacruz.org.
Yes, there are! Our staff has even seen them. A few times a year, we get confirmed mountain lion sightings on both the East and West Glenwood trails. When this occurs, we post a notice at the entrances for a period of 3 weeks.
Ticks may carry disease so take bites seriously! Ticks at the Preserve can carry several pathogens that could adversely affect health, including bacteria that cause Lyme disease and tick-borne relapsing fever. To avoid encountering ticks:
Stay on trails and do not brush up against vegetation.
Do not sit on logs.
Remember, only a small percentage of people get a rash.
Some ticks are tiny enough to make it difficult to see with the naked eye. If you are bitten by a tick, remove it immediately and consult your physician. If you get any symptoms of illness after recreating on trails, let your physician know.
Please call Scotts Valley Police Department at (831) 440-5670. For emergencies, please dial 911. Examples of emergencies include resource damage, vandalism, or dogs chasing cattle.
More Information and Updates
Discover the history of this location and check back for news on future projects.
Turtle Research at Glenwood’s Santos Pond
Meet Freckle! He’s a Western Pond Turtle that was first observed at our Glenwood property three years ago. Back then, we had just begun working with Max Lambert, PhD, a researcher who is now working with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Max was researching population dynamics of free-ranging turtles using Glenwood’s Santos Pond […]
Continue ReadingNotes from Glenwood Preserve
The past couple of months have brought many changes to the Glenwood Open Space Preserve. The big news is the improved entrance at West Glenwood. After several iterations and construction projects we’ve finally landed on a good flow for bicyclists and hikers at the west preserve. The trail is now re-surfaced and rocked, and the […]
Continue ReadingGlenwood Meadow Restoration
UPDATE: The Canham Trail is now open. Have you noticed the large gully that runs through Canham Meadow at the East Glenwood Preserve? Wet meadows, like Canham, are essential to our ecosystem because they collect runoff and help reduce seasonal flooding. They also serve as a filtration system by storing excess nutrients in the meadow’s […]
Continue ReadingStay Informed
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