Hikes in Orange County

Flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Santa Ana Mountains to the east, hiking in Orange County can be a varied experience. The heavily populated county is home to several satisfying parks that break up the city sprawl of over three million residents. If you want to get outdoors in Orange County, Disneyland is not your only option! Highlights of Orange County [wp_ad_wide_page] Hiking Orange County Orange County's most rugged trails can be found in the Santa Ana Mountains, which run along the border between Orange County and Riverside County. ... Read more.
Latest reports in Southern California (page 3)
Southern California

Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail
in the San Jacinto Mountains

Riverside | Trails
Trail Rating:
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail in the San Jacinto Mountains
The San Jacinto Mountains are a steep rugged mountain range full of challenging trails that put hikers to the test... Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is not one of those trails. This leisurely alternative is 5.2 miles round trip with 675 rolling feet of elevation change. The gradual and enjoyable dirt single track overlooks the mountain community of Idyllwild and is appropriate for hikers of all abilities. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Adventure Pass · Idyllwild · San Bernardino National Forest · San Jacinto Mountains · San Jacinto Ranger District
Distance: 5.2 miles · Elevation change: 675 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: July 3, 2013 Last updated: April 11, 2026
Southern California

Indian Mountain
in the San Jacinto Mountains

Riverside | Trails
Trail Rating:
Indian Mountain in the San Jacinto Mountains
The 6-mile round trip hike to Indian Mountain starts from a convenient trailhead on Route 243, the main road between Banning and Idyllwild. While San Jacinto Peak is the blockbuster summit in the San Jacinto Mountains, this Indy is a crowd pleaser too, requiring a feature-length time commitment of two to three hours to hike to and from the 5,790-foot summit. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Banning · Free Trails · Idyllwild · San Bernardino National Forest · San Jacinto Mountains · San Jacinto Ranger District · Summits
Distance: 6 miles · Elevation change: 815 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: July 1, 2013 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Southern California

Observatory Trail
in Cleveland National Forest

San Diego | Trails
Trail Rating:
Observatory Trail in Cleveland National Forest
Within the Cleveland National Forest on Palomar Mountain is a trail through a pleasant woodland that has broad valley vistas en route to a world-renowned destination. What more could you want? Strap on your hiking boots and set out up Observatory Trail, which is 2.2 miles long from point to point with 700 feet of elevation gain. The trail starts at Observatory Campground and ends just outside the Palomar Observatory. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Adventure Pass · Cleveland National Forest · Observatories · Palomar Mountains · Palomar Ranger District · Summits
Distance: 5.1 miles · Elevation change: 700 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 3, 2013 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Southern California

Observatory Campground
in Cleveland National Forest

Campgrounds | San Diego
Observatory Campground in Cleveland National Forest
Observatory Campground is a 42-site campground in the Palomar Mountains near San Diego County's famed Palomar Observatory. The astronomically accommodating Cleveland National Forest campground is the start of Observatory Trail, which ascends to Palomar Observatory. Observatory Campground is open from April through October and is suitable for tents or RVs. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Cleveland National Forest · Palomar Ranger District · Tent Camping
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 3, 2013 Last updated: April 13, 2026
Southern California

Indian Flats Trail to East Fork San Luis Rey River
in Cleveland National Forest

San Diego | Trails
Trail Rating:
Indian Flats Trail to East Fork San Luis Rey River in Cleveland National Forest
Located in the Cleveland National Forest near Warner Springs, The live oak-shaded Atáxam Mámta'ash Campground (formerly know as Indian Flats) is the start of a short trail to a trickling river fork. It is a 0.5-mile round trip hike from the campground goes down to the East Fork of the San Luis Rey River, which flows down a mountain slope covered in granite boulders. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Adventure Pass · Cleveland National Forest · Closed Seasonally · Creeks · Palomar Ranger District
Distance: 0.5 miles · Elevation change: 75 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 2, 2013 Last updated: April 9, 2026
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