Tule Elk State Natural Reserve
Also known as Tule Elk SNR
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $8 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions6-ft leash
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- parks.ca.gov(661) 764-6881
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 987 acres, Tule Elk State Natural Reserve lies in Kern County, about 14 miles southwest of Shafter.
Visitors come for historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, geocaching, and picnicking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
8:00am to Sunset
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Day Use | $8 |
| Bus, Large | $100 |
| Bus, Small | $50 |
Official wording
Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice. • Vehicle Day Use: $8.00 • Bus, Large: $100.00 • Bus, Small: $50.00
California park passes
- California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
- Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
- Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
- Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
- SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details
From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveCalifornia
- Phone
- (800) 444-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions · leash up to 6 feet
Not allowed in or on: the reserve during the auto safari tours.
Are dogs allowed? Yes: Dogs are allowed in the visitor center area on a 6-foot or shorter leash. Dogs are not allowed on the reserve during the Auto Safari tours, even if only staying in the vehicle. Dogs are not allowed on the reserve during the Auto Safari tours, even if only staying in the vehicle. DOGS Dogs are allowed in the day use area on a 6-foot or shorter leash. Dogs are not allowed on the reserve during the Auto Safari tours, even if only staying in the vehicle.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Things to do
PicnickingHistoric sites and toursRanger and interpretive programsWildlife viewing and birdingGeocaching
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Parking
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Overview
Tule Elk State Reserve protects a herd of tule elk, once in danger of extinction. The elk are most active from late summer through early autumn. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars for better viewing. Picnic areas and interpretive exhibits are available. The reserve is off I5 on the Stockdale Highway between Gorman and Buttonwillow. Phone 661-764-6881or 661-248-6692.
Picnic Area
Two accessible picnic tables and an accessible water spigot and cooking grill sit on a concrete pad. An adjacent restroom is not accessibly designed.
Exhibits/Programs
Visitor Center. Most of the exhibits are generally accessible with a few minor problems with space, or font size or control design. Parking: Accessible parking spaces are available, including a van accessible space. Assistance may be required with ramp slope or entry threshold.
Other Information
The viewing platform is generally accessible, but assistance may be required with the ramp to it. The telescope requires a grasping motion to adjust. Guided vehicle tours may be available for groups by arrangement.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 8653 Station Road
Buttonwillow, CA 93206 - Nearest town
- Shafter — about 14 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 35.3329, -119.3635
- Phone
- (661) 764-6881
Entrances
- Directions point
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The reserve is north of Gorman, south of Buttonwillow. From north- or southbound I-5, take the Stockdale Highway exit and go west to Morris Av. Turn left; continue and road becomes Station Rd after a right-only turn. Park entrance is on the left.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- California State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- California State Parks Listing page (one link per unit, page_id = officialId), unioned with the CSP Enterprise GIS 'ParkEntryPoints' ArcGIS layer (coords, address, county, unit number, management status) and the 'CSPParkUnit_CurrentStatus' layer (open/partial/full closure)
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology