Green Valley Lake, California
Green Valley Lake, California, is a top spot for outdoor activities, offering some of the best trails for hiking. The Green Valley Lake Trail is a must-visit for its scenic beauty. This moderate difficulty trail spans 2 miles and features a stunning lake. It offers a quiet escape with views of the surrounding forest and the tranquil lake. The nearby Children's Forest Exploration Trail is another great option for family-friendly hiking. It's a 1.2-mile loop trail with informative signs about local wildlife and plants. For a more challenging hike, the Green Valley Campground to Keller Peak Fire Lookout trail presents a 12.6-mile route with panoramic views of the valley. All these trails offer opportunities for bird watching and wildlife spotting, making them ideal for outdoor adventures.
Top Spots in and near Green Valley Lake
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Palm Springs, California
Maynard Mine Trail
5.82 mi / 2487 ft gainMaynard Mine Trail is a good choice if you're looking for decent elevation gain to get the hear rate up. The trailhead is at Andreas Canyon (in the Indian Canyons). The trail has a rapid elevation gain of 2300' in the first 2.5 miles. The entire trail, out and back, is about 6 miles. The actua...Read more -
Lake Elsinore, California
San Mateo Peak via Morgan Trailhead
5.04.47 mi / 784 ft gainSan Mateo Peak, standing at an elevation of 3,591 feet, is the highest summit in the Elsinore Mountains, a subrange of the Santa Ana Mountains in Southern California. The peak offers hikers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and is accessible via the Morgan Trail. Hours of Operation...Read more -
Lake Elsinore, California
Ride the San Juan Trail
4.511 mi / 3400 ft gainThe San Juan Trail is located off the Ortega Highway (Hwy 74) in Southern Orange County. It is done frequently as a long, 11 mile climb that is rewarded by an almost continuous descent of 3400ft. The out-and-back trail head is back Hot Spring Canyon Rd from the San Juan Fire Station. It can also ...Read more -
Pearblossom, California
Devil's Punchbowl and Devil's Chair
4.57.37 mi / 1870 ft gainWhat a hidden gem! A martian landscape full of faultline desert rock formations and joshua trees against a mountainous backdrop of the San Gabriels. Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area features a 1 mile well-marked, well-maintained single track loop trail inside the Punchbowl (great for kids) and a 7 ...Read more -
Corona, California
Santiago Peak via Holy Jim (Temporary Closure)
5.016.25 mi / 4423 ft gainThis trail may still be closed due to trail maintenance. Please contact Trabuco Ranger at 951-736-1811 before heading out. This a long day hike of 16 miles roundtrip, so it's best to get an early start (before sunrise). Get amazing views of Mt. San Antonio, San Jacinto, and San Gorgonio, and Ca...Read more -
Corona, California
Holy Jim Falls
3.53.06 mi / 633 ft gainTo start, directions on how to get to the trail there are two different ways, the most common , which I will explain, being through Rancho Santa Margarita you will head east on Santa Margarita Parkway, turn left at the dead end (into a parking lot for a shopping center) on Plano Trabuco Road, thi...Read more -
Palm Springs, California
Palm Canyon Trail
4.51.94 mi / 308 ft gainThe fifteen mile long Palm Canyon, one of the Indian Canyons, is among the most beautiful natural sites in Western North America. Its indigenous flora and fauna, expertly used by the Cahuilla people, and its abundant Washingtonia Filifera (California Fan Palm) stand in breathtaking contrast to th...Read more -
Riverside County, California
Covington Crest Trail
3.09 mi / 177 ft gainAccessing Covington Flats in Joshua Tree National Park requires a high ground-clearance overland vehicle. In the summer months a standard car might make it to the parking lot after the 7.5 mile off-road drive, but should always be prepared for soft sand. Bring spare water and emergency tools inca...Read more -
Silverado, California
Black Star Canyon Falls
4.86.93 mi / 1260 ft gainWaterfalls in Orange County are far and few between, with the best lying near and inside the Cleveland National Forest. Black Star Canyon Falls are some of the best just after a rain if you are heading out during a dry time of the season you should still expect to see some water. Free parking, ea...Read more -
Lake Elsinore, California
Hike Bear Canyon Trail to Sitton Peak
6.4 mi / 2200 ft gainA MUST hike for any orange country resident! The hike starts of off Ortega HWY 74 at the Bear Canyon Trail head on the same side of the road as the Ortega oaks candy store. Its recommended you park in the lot across the street from the trail head (tip:there is a working water spicket in the parki...Read more -
Lake Elsinore, California
Sitton Peak
9.36 mi / 2011 ft gainIt's amazing what you can find in your own backyard if you really do you research. In Orange County there are so many awesome hiking options that are often overlooked. The Bear Canyon to Sitton Peak Trail in the San Mateo Wilderness is one of those. Sitton tops out at 3,273 feet and it's a 5 mil...Read more -
Anaheim, California
Oak Canyon Bluebird and Wren Trail
1.42 mi / 187 ft gainThe Oak Canyon Bluebird and Wren Trail features beautiful wildflowers and is accessible year-round. The trail is well kept and offers lots of shady spots. The first portion of this hike will take you up a hill, and then to a fork. One direction will take you around a reservoir and another will ta...Read more -
Joshua Tree, California
Joshua Tree West Side Trail
4.03.22 mi / 302 ft gainJoshua Tree West Side Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Twentynine Palms, California.Read more -
Silverado, California
Harding Falls Trail
5.05.96 mi / 1378 ft gainThe lot provides free parking, with plenty of spaces available throughout the day. The first few miles feature a descent into the canyon on a defined trail out in the open. The way back up is a decent incline in the sun! Be prepared, because even though 6+ miles may not seem too hard, this h...Read more -
Pearblossom, California
Cooper Canyon Falls via Burkhart Trail
5.03.01 mi / 755 ft gainBurkhart Trail is well-defined and easy to follow through an unbelievable old growth of Jeffrey pines, incense-cedars and surprisingly, redwoods! At 0.25 miles, there is a steep spur trail near a large pile of boulders that leads to a popular swimming area, often frequented by guests of the campg...Read more -
Pearblossom, California
Snowshoe Buckhorn Ridge Trail
2.5 mi / 700 ft gainLocated 1 mile east of the Mt Waterman Ski Resort, Buckhorn Ski Hill is a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll through a snow-covered forest, complete with views of towering Mt Waterman. To get here take I-210 toward La Canada, exit on to California Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) heading no...Read more
