Welcome to the Cleary Reserve

The cleary reserve is located in Pope Valley Township, Napa County, about 16 miles (26 km) northeast of the city of St. Helena.  The Reserve encompasses 430 acres (174 ha) of rugged wilderness at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 feet (300 - 600 m) above sea level in the Palisades Mountains of Northern California’s inner coast range.  Vegetation is primarily mixed broadleaf-coniferous forest and chaparral within three watersheds, the largest of which is Swartz Creek.

One of the most inland stands of coast redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, occurs here.  A profusion of wildflowers, ferns and fungi is found in the various communities.  Numerous animals inhabit the Reserve. Included among the larger mammals are mountain lion, black bear, bobcat, ring-tailed cat, and badger.

The Cleary Reserve is maintained as pristine wilderness reserved for scientific study and educational uses. A portion of the land was formerly cultivated and an old olive orchard persists; however, over three-quarters of the area is natural wild land.