Corteva Wetlands Preserve, Antioch CA


• 3-star hikes
• 1 to 3 mile options
• Easy | Gain 20 to 40 feet
• Antioch, CA | San Francisco Region
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a person in a red shirt walking along a gravel path toward a tall farm windmill. The scene features mature trees on both sides, dry grass, and an elevated water tank structure. The windmill appears to be a traditional water-pumping style with a multi-blade fan wheel and wooden lattice tower. The composition creates a peaceful sense of journey through this pastoral landscape, with rolling hills visible under partly cloudy skies.
A relocated movie prop, now pumping water.

Situated on the southern banks of the delta where the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers meet and flow into the San Francisco Bay, Dow Chemical Company established this wetlands area in 1989, apparently to prevent competitive development near their chemical facility. Today the area is known as the Corteva Wetlands Preserve, though many locals still call it the Dow Wetlands.
ibr> The preserve is home to both freshwater ponds and brackish tidal marshes, home to beavers and otters, and visited many bird species and along this stretch of the Pacific Flyway migration route.

The trails are relatively flat dirt paths suitable for walking and easy cycling, but there's only one single point of access by the Antioch City fishing pier at the preserve's eastern extremes, and there's no established loop trails to explore either the beaver pond to the south, or the delta views to the north.
⬤ 3★ Antioch Wetlands Preserve  1.1 mi part-loop, easy, gain 20 ft
⬤ 3★ Inland Spur  + 1.1 mi out & back, easy, gain 20 ft  
⬤ 2★ Delta Spur  + 0.7 mi out & back, easy, gain 0 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
 P  Free parking

We've identified the two spur trails off the main trail backbone. The inland spur leading over the busy railroad tracks to a freshwater beaver pond provides additional pleasant scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities. This spur is well defined, but note that apparent trails leading beyond the route we've plotted do not loop back to the main trail and are cut off by the railroad tracks. There is also a continuous fence along the preserve's southern boundary, meaning this spur trail does not connect to nearby West 10th Street.

The second spur trail identified on our map leads north towards closer delta views. We found this short out-and-back to be overrun with mosquitos and though there are some views at the end of the trail, we were quick to turn around to avoid being lunchmeat for the incessant insect life here.

A person in a bright red shirt, dark pants, and orange-accented shoes walks away from the camera along a narrow dirt trail edged with wooden planks. The path cuts through a grassy field dotted with tall green stalks and clusters of purple wildflowers. The surrounding vegetation appears slightly overgrown, suggesting a semi-wild or reclaimed landscape. In the distance, industrial structures—tall towers, cylindrical tanks, and piping—rise behind a line of trees, with hazy mountains and a clouded sky forming the backdrop.
Wildflowers along the hike in from the marina.

Two viewing platforms have been constructed on the main trail, and several wooden art structures can be found around the property that look like they were built when the preserve was established in the late eighties and quickly forgotten about.

Aside from the wildlife viewing opportunties, the stand-out feature of the park is the functional windmill water pump and wooden water tank. Though the windmill fits in well with its surroundings, it was built for an entirely different purpose - as part of the Alberta, Canada movie set for Clint Eastwood's 1992 film 'Unforgiven'.

Golden gate bridge silhouette
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A scenic rural landscape featuring a foreground of vibrant purple wildflowers interspersed with green grass. Behind the flowers, the terrain transitions into a mix of dry golden grass and scattered green vegetation, including several leafy trees. In the midground, a tall wooden windmill with a metal rotor stands prominently, evoking traditional farming infrastructure. To its right, a second elevated wooden structure—possibly a water tank or storage shed—adds to the pastoral character. Rolling hills stretch across the background beneath a cloudy sky, lending a soft, muted light that enhances the natural textures and colors.
More wildflower views on our tranquil morning hike.

A tranquil landscape featuring a body of water in the foreground, bordered by tall green grasses along the shoreline. Across the water, gently rolling hills rise into the background, dotted with numerous white wind turbines forming a large wind farm. The turbines vary in size and spacing, some partially obscured by terrain, creating a layered visual depth. The sky above is mostly cloudy with soft, textured clouds and intermittent patches of blue, casting diffuse light over the scene.
Views towards the San Joaquin River delta.

A passenger train with multiple cars painted in white, blue, and yellow travels through a grassy, marsh-like landscape. The lead engine is predominantly white and moves along tracks that are partially obscured by tall green grasses and reeds. In the background, an industrial complex rises with towers, pipes, and a water tank, suggesting a manufacturing or processing facility. Palm trees and scattered vegetation dot the scene, adding organic contrast to the built environment.
Looking back across the tracks from the inland spur trail.

A horse-drawn carriage rolls past a rustic wooden storefront in a Western town, captured in a scene from the movie Unforgiven. The storefront bears vintage signage advertising 'DRY GOODS AND CLOTHING' with an American flag hanging beside the entrance. A man in Western attire and a wide-brimmed hat drives the carriage, which is marked with 'Muddy Trading' and 'Wrangler.' To the left, a tall windmill pump rises above the buildings, reinforcing the frontier setting. The store window reads 'J.A. Cartwright Mercantile Co.' and additional wooden structures line the dusty street in the background.
The water pump in a scene from the movie Unforgiven (1992).

Tangents:
• AllTrails Public: Corteva Wetlands Preserve

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