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Riverside, California

Looking for the best hiking in Riverside? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Riverside. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Riverside

  • Newport Beach, California

    Explore Deer Canyon

    6.9 mi / 1489 ft gain
    The Deer Canyon Loop Trail is an easy drive from Orange County and Newport Beach. In the spring, wildflowers are abundant along the trial. This is a favorite spot for trail runners, hikers, and mountain bikers. The trail is kept in great condition year-round and is very wide. There is very little...
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  • Angelus Oaks, California

    Jenks Lake

    4.0
    0.77 mi / 49 ft gain
    If you want to experience beauty and solitude in SoCal look no further than Jenks Lake. Not too far from Big Bear Lake, but secluded enough to keep most away in the winter, Jenks Lake is a small but lovely alpine lake near HWY 38 in Angelus Oaks. Driving to the lake is beautiful in itself as HWY...
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  • San Diego County, California

    Camp On the Abandoned Santa Margarita Lookout Helipad

    4.3
    Starting in Murrieta, CA you don't have to venture far to enjoy a beautiful view and less light polluted skies.From Murrieta on the I-15 freeway you're going to want to take the Clinton Kieth Road exit and head west. If you're low on gas make sure to fill up at the 7 Eleven on the left corner. Th...
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  • Azusa, California

    Fish Canyon Falls

    2.0
    4.08 mi / 801 ft gain
    This trail is currently closed! Learn more on the U.S. Forest Service website. Follow Encanto Parkway towards the hills until you come to a junction with a sign labeled "trail" that points towards a parking lot to your right. Parking is free, though on weekends it may be difficult to find a spot...
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  • Angelus Oaks, California

    South Fork to Dollar Lake Trail

    11.3 mi / 449 ft gain
    South Fork to Dollar Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Banning, California.
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  • Big Bear Lake, California

    Grand View Point

    6.9 mi / 1312 ft gain
    Grand View Point is accessed via Pine Knot Trail, a 6.5 mile out and back hiking trail located at the Aspen Glen Picnic Area, 1 mile from Big Bear Village. With its close proximity to town, Pine Knot Trail is popular in the summer with mountain bikers and the trailhead is often crowded in the win...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Hike the West Ridge Trail

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 150 ft gain
    Beginning at Alta Laguna Park at Top of the World, the West Ridge Trail is a popular starting (and ending) point for adventures into the Laguna Coast Wilderness, leading to trails and areas like Car Wreck, Big Bend, and Willow Canyon. You can also do it in reverse from the north. The ridge itself...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    West Ridge to Car Wreck Trail and Mathis Canyon Loop

    4.5
    3.31 mi / 856 ft gain
    There are numerous ways to incorporate the Car Wreck trail into a larger loop through the Laguna Coast Wilderness and Aliso Canyon Park, but a common route is to begin at Alta Laguna Park at "Top of the World" in Laguna Beach. Take the West Ridge Trail .5 miles, bearing right onto the marked Car...
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  • Fawnskin, California

    Grays Peak Trail

    1.0
    6.95 mi / 1293 ft gain
    This is a fairly easy mountain peak to climb.  The trailhead is easily accessible right off of Hwy 38 by the town of Fawnskin.  There is a large National Forest sign noting the parking area to Grays Peak Trail.  Note that parking in this lot requires either a day pass or a California Adventure pa...
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  • Laguna Niguel, California

    Colinas Ridge Trail

    2.01 mi / 131 ft gain
    First, you'll be parking in the parking lot for the dog park. It's free parking and there are roughly 40 spaces, so there is plenty of parking. I've never seen more than 20 cars here at any one time. Once parked you'll find the trail head/ start on the northwest side of the lot (opposite the dog ...
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  • Wrightwood, California

    Snow Hike Lightning Ridge

    5.1 mi / 900 ft gain
    When you hear the report about snow in the San Gabriels, it's time to plan this hike!Only a short 90 minute drive is all that separates nearly a third of California's population from high-altitude snowy adventures. This isn't about Yosemite, but Southern California's very own San Gabriel Mountain...
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  • Valyermo, California

    Blue Ridge Trail via Inspiration Point

    4.97 mi / 692 ft gain
    There are two trail heads for the Blue Ridge Trail, one via the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center, and the other across from Inspiration Point. When parking gets crowded over at Grassy Hollow Visitor Center, than parking at Inspiration Point is the better option. To access the Blue Ridge Trail from In...
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  • Azusa, California

    Smith Mountain Trail

    6.69 mi / 3189 ft gain
    Smith Mountain Trail is an awesome day hike located near Glendora, California. This out-and-back trail offers great views of the Los Angeles National Forest and the potential for continuation to Bear Creek for even more variety of scenery. Smith Mountain is a moderately strenuous hike with an el...
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  • Llano, California

    Table Mountain Campground

    Table Mountain Campground is a hilly campground that offers ADA-accessible sites, pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, BB! grill, water, and parking spaces for a two-car limit. Rules are strictly enforced, which is great, so we can enjoy nature and not someone’s party/music. Book your campgro...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Water Tank Trail

    4.3
    3.05 mi / 502 ft gain
    There a numerous trails in the Laguna Coast Wilderness that proceed up and along the ridges and down into the canyons (or the reverse), and most are excellent for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. A classic out-and-back (with many options for loops) begins in Irvine Bowl Park at the en...
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  • Azusa, California

    Lewis Falls

    1 mi / 732 ft gain
    Located deep in the Angeles National Forest above Azusa, this short but at times challenging hike rewards you with a beautiful fifty-foot waterfall. The base of the waterfall is only a foot at its deepest, so I wouldn't rush to bring a bathing suit with you. Protected by the heavy forestry around...
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