Middletown Trailside Nature Preserve

The Middletown Trailside Nature Preserve is not just a nature trail, but is also an art sculpture trail with dozens of unique and interesting sculptures dotting the path. The trail itself is dog fur-iendly as long as you use a leash, and your pooch will enjoy looking at the sculptures as much as you will. The trailhead is located at the park on Dry Creek Cutoff in Middletown, California. From an iron butterfly made with discarded scrap metal to a huge pair of snakes made from old drain pipes and palm bark, the talented and imaginative artists bring the park alive. 

Along the path, you and your little fur baby may see some real snakes, as well as squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other wildlife and that will be even more exciting for Fido. However, don’t let your dog harass the local wildlife. Although the park and the trail were damaged by fire in one of the recent wildfires, the park has been reopened for a while and is said to be coming along nicely. Many say that it has already started turning green again and the sculptures that were not damaged are still standing.

The natural trail is mostly dirt and grass, and you will pass a few paths that go off of the main one, but will bring you right back to the trail. It is mostly flat with little to no incline anywhere along the path. There are picnic tables and benches interspersed along the trail so you and your fur baby can sit and contemplate the art sculptures or just take a break and enjoy the peace and quiet of the park. The wildflowers and other greenery is said to be growing again and is almost back to its pre-fire condition, so you will see a lot of color popping up along the path as well. You and Fido will enjoy this natural art park and will love coming back again and again.