Lynch Canyon Open Space
3100 Lynch Canyon Rd.
Fairfield, CA
Friday - Monday (9:00am - 5:00pm)
Click here for a brochure and map of Lynch Canyon
LYNCH CANYON OPEN SPACE
With habitats ranging from steep grasslands to the riparian corridor of Lynch Creek, the property is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Buckeyes, oaks and wetland meadows provide shelter for deer, fox, bobcat, waterfowl, and many raptors, including red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, and the majestic golden eagle. Also of interest are excellent specimens of native grasses and spring wildflowers such as Johnny jump-ups, California poppies, brodiaea, milkmaids, yarrow and lupine. A small reservoir provides a home to muskrats, great blue herons and endangered California red-legged frogs.
The first inhabitants of Lynch Canyon were Native Americans known as the Patwins, part of the larger linguistic family, the Wintuns. The Suisunes, a sub-tribe of the Patwins, likely hunted deer, elk and bear on the property, and gathered acorns in late summer. General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo held the first official title on the property, but when the United States took possession of California his deed was disputed and the land was sold for $1.25 per acre. During the next century, landowners grazed cattle and sheep on the land. Tri-County Development Inc. bought the property in the early 1980s to build a landfill,but Solano County voters rejected the project. Solano Land Trust purchased the property in two parcels, completing the transfer in 1996.
Lynch Canyon serves as an important buffer zone between the cities of Fairfield and Vallejo. It is located just north of Interstate 80 between American Canyon Road and Highway 12 (Jameson Canyon Road).
The purchase of Lynch Canyon was made possible by a variety of funding sources including the Tri-City and County Cooperative Planning Group, the City of Fairfield, the California State Legislature, California Department of Parks and Recreation, the California Transportation Commission, California Department of Fish and Game and other sources. Since its acquisition, nine miles of trails have been built or improved with funding by the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and the Coastal Conservancy. Other public access improvements include picnic tables, hitching posts for horses, parking lot, information kiosk, trail signs and a toilet.
Visiting Lynch Canyon:
Lynch Canyon is open to the public year-round, Fridays through Mondays, from 9am to 5pm. It may be closed on short notice, however, due to extreme weather or other safety concerns. See our Events Calendar for scheduled activities. Check solanocounty.com/parks for announcements of closures, or call 530-795-2990 to speak with a Park Ranger.*
Parking fees are the following $8.00 during Peak Season (April – September) and $6.00 Off Season (October – March).
If you are looking for an Annual passes or senior passes you may call the county directly at 530-795-2990. All proceeds help Solano County Parks keep this land open and safe.
Click here to learn about the Lynch Canyon Trail Run & Community Hike—5K, 10K, and half marathon races and a 2.5-mile community hike that take place each year on the first Saturday of June.
Please: Stay on trails. No dogs allowed. Lynch Canyon is a working ranch—keep a safe distance away from the free-range cattle. Other policies are posted HERE.
*Closures: Lynch Canyon may be closed on short notice in cases of high fire danger, extreme rain, construction, or other safety concerns. Check solanocounty.com/parks for closure notices, or call 530-795-2990 to speak with a Park Ranger.
Mountain Bike Riding at Lynch Canyon:
You can ride your mountain bike on your own at Lynch Canyon during open hours. Enjoy!
Class 1 Electric Bike (e-bikes) are allowed in Solano County Parks wherever conventional bikes are allowed unless otherwise posted. E-Bikeriders must adhere to the same trail rules as conventional bicycle riders. Class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph.
Horseback Riding at Lynch Canyon:
1. You can ride your horse on your own at Lynch Canyon during open hours. Enjoy!
2. You can request a guided ride for you and your horse from a Solano Land Trust equestrian docent by contacting Mindi (splish@sbcglobal.net) or Christine (cnken13@juno.com).
3. The Sacramento Valley Equestrian Patrol patrols at Lynch Canyon on horseback, in partnership with Solano Land Trust and Solano County Parks. They greet visitors, answer questions and promote safe use of this beautiful park. If you are interested in joining the Sacramento Valley Equestrian Patrol, you can visit their website at www.sacvalleyequestrianpatrol.org, or contact Kim D'Amelio (916-730-5776, kdamelio@sbcglobal.net) or Vicki Dawson (707-689-7466, vdawson92@gmail.com).
Lynch Canyon Education Resources:
FREE Wildlife of Lynch Canyon Guide Book
Download Table of Contents
Download Pages 1-25
Download Pages 26-51