Buttonwillow: Nature, History and Motorsports

A trip to Buttonwillow can focus on nature, local history or motorsports. Highlights range from views of a pond and a small herd of tule elk to the history of the Buttonwillow Tree, which gave the town its name, and a road-racing circuit just outside the city.

Observe nature and compare trails

The Wetland Discovery Trail leads to a raised wooden observation platform with viewing scopes, overlooking a seasonal pond. You can take a self-guided nature tour on the trail, which is paved for use by people with limited mobility. This trail combines a specific viewpoint with the opportunity for self-guided nature observation.

The Flyway Loop Trail is a 2-mile gravel loop along the edges of seasonal and year-round ponds. The trails offer different points of comparison: the Flyway Loop is described by its loop format, surface and length, while the Wetland Discovery Trail focuses on the self-guided nature tour and observation platform. If you want to choose a tour based on the features described, you can compare a loop with a stated length to a description featuring a viewpoint and seasonal pond.

Reserves and wildlife

The Buttonwillow Ecological Reserve covers about 1,400 acres. To get there, travel east from Buttonwillow on Highway 58, then head north on Brandt Road to the intersection with Seventh Standard Road. The approximate area and the named sequence of roads provide two different points of reference for planning: an idea of the reserve’s size and a specific route to get there.

The Tule Elk State Natural Reserve is located at 8653 Station Road in Buttonwillow. It protects a small herd of tule elk, a subspecies endemic to California that was once hunted to the brink of extinction. The focus is therefore on both the animal and its conservation history. For travelers interested in California wildlife, this is a different focus from the pond views at the Wetland Discovery Trail: here, the emphasis is on a protected herd and the history of its species.

Local history and motorsports

The Buttonwillow Tree gave the town of Buttonwillow its name. The tree also served as a landmark on an old trail that crossed a valley. Its role in naming the town and its place in the history of the trail are two aspects of its significance: the tree explains the town’s name and was also a reference point for travelers on a historic route. This gives the topic of local history a concrete point of connection alongside nature and wildlife.

Buttonwillow Raceway Park is a road-racing circuit just outside the city of Buttonwillow in Southern California. If motorsports are the focus of your trip, this venue can be a distinct part of your plans. Since operations and schedules can change, check current dates before planning a visit.

Choose a focus for your hotel search

The purpose of your trip can guide your choice of a hotel in Buttonwillow: nature observation, local history and motorsports cater to different interests. First decide which topic you want to prioritize during your trip, then review specific hotel options based on your own requirements.

Explore more destinations: Lebec, Mojave, Tehachapi, Lamont, California City, Rosamond, Shafter, Taft.

For the broader travel overview: Kern.