The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages Cronan Ranch, originally a working cattle ranch of approximately 1,452 acres. This beautiful area contains 12 miles of dirt roads and trails ambling through a variety of terrain from oak woodland and rolling hills to shaded, riparian river access.

This is a particularly good place to look for nesting raptors such as Great Horned Owls, American Kestrels, Red-shouldered Hawks, and White-tailed Kites. Within the unit, several excellent trails follow the South Fork of the American River and meander through shady oak woodland and occasionally, open rolling grasslands.

This nature area features a loop trail about a mile long which goes from the parking lot to the South Fork of the American River and back to the parking area. It is fairly level with little elevation change and is thus excellent for children.

This is one of four excellent birding locations in and near Coloma: the Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park, the Greenwood Creek River Access, the Dave Moore Nature Area, and the Marshall Gold Discovery Historic State Park.