Little Para Reservoir is South Australia’s youngest reservoir, situated north of Adelaide alongside the suburbs of Greenwith and Golden Grove, providing an opportunity for adventure, family fun and environmental preservation.

More than 3km of paths through native bushland and gentle rolling hills, including a 2km loop trail, provide an exciting addition to the local green spaces for nearby residents and the local community.

The two trails in the reservoir reserve are:

1. On this page:
   Loop Trail, 1.8km loop (marked in purple on maps)
   The Loop Trail follows a fire track. It is a Grade 3 trail (Short steep hills. Some bushwalking experience required.)
   The trail is a shared-use trail for both walkers and mountain bikers (rated for mountain bikes as Intermediate – suitable for skilled mountain bikers)

2. Forest Trail, 1km one-way 2km return (marked in orange on maps)
   The Forest Trail is a newly constructed 1.2m wide gravel walkway path. It is a Grade 2 trail (Gentle hills. No bushwalking experience required.)
   The trail is a shared-use trail for both walkers and mountain bikers (rated for mountain bikes as Easy – suitable for beginner mountain bikers)

A lookout offers visitors a sweeping view across the reservoir towards the dam wall and down the valley. The lookout is a 150m walk off the Loop Trail.

This beautiful natural reserve offers two picnic areas, making it a welcome stop for local bike riders, runners and walkers. A scenic lookout provides the perfect way to relax and take in the reservoir and dam wall.

The Loop Trail is shared-use for both walkers and mountain bikers, so respect other trail users. The trail follows an existing fire track.

Little Para Reservoir Reserve provides trail seating and picnic areas, all perfect for enjoying a bite to eat. Or find a quiet grassy spot with views of the water to lay out your blanket for lunch.

There are no toilet facilities at this reservoir.

While people from other areas are welcome to enjoy the low-key facilities at Little Para, other nearby reservoirs reserves cater for higher visitor numbers and offer a greater range of activities, such as Hope Valley Reservoir Reserve, and the Warren and South Para Reservoirs reserves which form part of the Southern Barossa Reservoirs network.

Getting there

Start the trails from the main carpark at the end of Para Valley Rd, Greenwith SA 5125, next to the Tea Tree Gully motocross track. Para Valley Rd can be accessed from Golden Grove Road in Greenwith. This can be accessed by walking or riding through the adjacent Greenwith Little Para Reserve park, using one of the several entry points.

When driving in, once you turn off of Golden Grove Road near the Stables, you follow suburban back-streets to the start of Para Valley Rd. As at Nov 2023 there are no directional signs to the reservoir, but you can follow Motocross signage. Leaving the suburbs, you drive just 500 metres along the dirt road that is Para Valley Rd to the reservoir carpark.

Little Para Reservoir Reserve has been designed for the local community to access on foot or by cycling, rather than by a vehicle. Limited parking is available.

Trail opening hours

Dog walking not permitted

Dogs are not welcome at reservoir reserves as they can carry harmful organisms that can easily contaminate the water and present a risk to the safety of the drinking water. Assistance animals are accepted.