Trails
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to visit whether you are looking to take a leisurely walk, engage in some birding, or finding a new challenging trail. Whether you go on a short walk or hike a longer trail, there are over 30 miles of trails for you to explore.
Dogs on a 6-foot leash are permitted only on the the Tidelands Trail, Harrier Spur Trail, Quarry Trail, and Marshlands Road near the Visitor Center in Fremont. Dogs are prohibited on all other trails and lands throughout the refuge
Trail Closure Alert:
Mallard Slough Trail is closed due to construction as well as sections of Alviso Slough Trail at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso California.
South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project (Phase I) between the Alviso Slough/Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek is underway. The project, once completed, will protect north San José, including the community of Alviso and the Regional Wastewater Facility, from a 100-year coastal storm and rising seas.
Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30p.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends as necessary, excluding holidays. Construction is scheduled to finish in June 2025.
Portions of Bair Island Trail may be closed on either side of the pedestrian bridge from Tuesday March 19th to Friday March 22nd. Every effort will be made to maintain at least one side of the trail for public access during the repairs.
Trail leads through tidal salt marsh, restored from
a commercial salt crystallizer bed. This trail is
probably the best place on the refuge to view the
endangered Ridgway’s rail as it comes out at low
tide to feed in the muddy slough channels.
Dogs are Not permitted on this trail.