Hidden Valley Nature Center

Hidden Valley Wildlife Area is located along the Santa Ana River, east of Norco on Arlington Avenue, one mile west of La Sierra Avenue. It is set on 1500 scenic acres and has access to 25 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. Visitors can get away from the noise and lights of the city and enjoy the beautiful views of the river or the bluff overlooking the wetland pond. In the winter, Canada geese, northern shovelers, white-crowned sparrows and yellow-rumped warblers make their home here.

The Nature Center is open to the public on Saturdays 10AM – 4PM and to groups by appointment Monday through Friday. Within it you can find various live animals, such as a rabbit, snakes, turtles, birds and toads, different activities for children to enjoy and reconstructed scenes of animals in their natural habitat.

There are assortments of educational programs offered by appointment. Programs offered include presentations about the wetlands, Native Americans, water and/or birds. Each program includes a hike, hands-on activities, a craft, a game and a live animal presentation. You can even celebrate your birthday in style here!

Girl scouts, cub scouts and boy scouts can earn their merit badges by participating in programs designed specifically for them.

Seasonal events teach visitors fascinating facts about an array of subjects, which can include nocturnal critters, reptiles and amphibians, spider and insects and much, much more.

You can pick up a park brochure at the Riverside County Park District Headquarters, or you can drop into the park and check it out.