Park Info
9401 Morgan Territory Road
Eastern Contra Costa Co.
Mailing address: 5175 Somersville Road, Antioch CA 94509
Download Brochure
Phone Numbers
(510) 544-3060
Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4546
Local Weather
Maps
Download PDF Map
Yahoo Map
Park/Gate Hours - 2011
Jan. 1 - 31
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Feb. 1 - March 12
8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 13 - April 17
8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
April 18 - Sept. 5
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sept. 6 - Nov. 5
8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 - Dec. 31
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Park Events
Click HERE for upcoming events
Parking Fee
No fee
Dog Fee
No fee
Grazing Information
Grazing in the Parks
Camping Reservations
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2
Picnic Reservations
No reservable sites
Emergency Number
911
EBRPD Headquarters
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757
Park Update
All trails are open. Please call (510) 544-3060 to report trail problems.
Grazing Update
Seasonal cattle grazing, which occurs throughout the Preserve, begins in fall and lasts until mid-spring. The grazing season has begun and cattle may be encountered while using the park. There is no grazing in the Coyote trail area.
For more information on our grazing program please see the Stewardship / Resources link on the left side of this page.
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
About The Park
Park News
Park District Begins Historic 75th Anniversary with Significant Land Acquisition at Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. Click HERE for details.
| Submit Your Photos to the EBRPD Photo Pool |
Trail Names
According to Native American folklore, at the dawn of time, Tuyshtak (today's Mount Diablo) was the sacred birthplace of the world. Supernatural beings, the First People, lived here. The First People are often designated with the names of the animals whose attributes are reflected in their personalities-animals such as Condor (Mollock), Prairie Falcon, Eagle and Coyote. These personages created Native Americans, and provided them with a bountiful, beautiful world. Most of the park's trails are named to commemorate these First People (Coyote, Fox and Eagle trails), while other names refer to natural features (Valley View, Blue Oak and Highland Ridge trails). Hog Canyon and Jeremiah trails harken back to the park's ranching past.
Native Americans
Morgan Territory is located within the traditional homeland of the Volvon, one of five Native American nations in the Diablo area who spoke dialects of the Bay Miwuk language. Their way of life was characterized by a rich heritage of social, political, economic and religious tradition--tradition built upon thousands of years of living with the land, during which new ideas, technologies and Indian groups came into the area.
Their world changed dramatically after 1772, when the Spanish began to explore the East Bay. Diseases killed large numbers of people at the crowded, unsanitary missions, while Spanish military expeditions killed others. The Volvon were among the Native American groups who resisted Spanish missionization, but by 1806 the resistance had faded. The change from the old way of life was completed during the early years of American settlement, although many California Native Americans continue to practice the traditions of their ancestors while living within the framework of modern life.
Ranching
Morgan Territory is named for Jeremiah Morgan, who was born in 1818 on the banks of the Tennessee River in Alabama. Morgan and six companions crossed the plains to California by ox-drawn wagon in 1849. After a brief stint as a gold miner, Morgan left California for Iowa, only to return with his family in 1853. In 1857 he started a ranch in the area that we know as Morgan Territory after having seen the land while on a hunting expedition.
Park Features
Sandstone hills within the park's 4,708 acres are adorned in spring with more than 90 species of wildflowers, including the Diablo sunflower (Helianthella castanea), which grows only in the foothills of Mount Diablo. Deer, coyote and even the elusive mountain lion may be seen here, and a variety of raptors frequently soar overhead.
Expansive ridgetop views reveal Mount Diablo to the west, Mount St. Helena to the north and the snow-covered Sierra to the east. Lowland valleys cradle the headwaters of Marsh Creek.
Park Activities
Park activities include hiking, horseback riding, picnicking and camping. There is a backpack campsite in the Regional Preserve. Reservation is required to use the campsite. To make a reservation, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2.
Park Accessibility
The backpack camp is not wheelchair accessible.
Trail Accessibility Report
Volvon Trail: Download PDF format | Download Word format
To Reach The Park
From I-580 in Livermore, exit onto N. Livermore Ave. and turn north. Shortly after N. Livermore curves left (west), turn right onto Morgan Territory Road and follow it for about 5.5 miles to the staging area. From Walnut Creek/Concord, take Clayton Road to Marsh Creek Road, then turn right onto Morgan Territory Road. The staging area is 9.4 miles from Marsh Creek Road.
Click here for public transit information.
Trail Map
Click the map image below to see an enlarged version.
When the enlarged version of the map opens click on the 'Full Expand' icon in the lower right hand corner of the map to see the 'Actual Size' map.
When the 'Actual Size' map is viewable, you can 'Click-Hold and Drag' the mouse button (left on a PC) to reposition the map, as desired.
'Single-Click' on the 'Enlarged' or 'Actual Size' map to return to the park page.