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 4)
Southern California

Atáxam Mámta’ash Campground (fka Indian Flats)
in Cleveland National Forest

Campgrounds | San Diego
Atáxam Mámta’ash Campground (fka Indian Flats) in Cleveland National Forest
Atáxam Mámta'ash Campground is a small 17-site campground in the Cleveland National Forest near Warner Springs. The campground lies within a sunny live oak woodland at 3,600 feet. At this elevation, expect cool night and warm days. Atáxam Mámta'ash Campground, formerly known as Indian Flats Campground, is located below Hot Springs Mountain, the 6,533-foot high point of San Diego County. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Cleveland National Forest · Closed Seasonally · Tent Camping · Warner Springs
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 2, 2013 Last updated: April 13, 2026
Southern California

Lake View Loop & East Ridge Overlook
in Peters Canyon Regional Park

Orange | Trails
Trail Rating:
Lake View Loop & East Ridge Overlook in Peters Canyon Regional Park
Peters Canyon Regional Park is an Orange County Park preserving 354 acres of open space including the 55-acre Peters Canyon Reservoir. A gradual 2.7-mile loop around the reservoir is popular trail with joggers and dog walkers. Other trails in the park allow visitors to hike even farther. The 5.7-mile East Ridge Loop is an expansion of the Lake View Loop that delivers a grand tour of the park. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Lakes · Orange · Orange County Parks · Peters Canyon Regional Park
Distance: 3.65 miles · Elevation change: 200 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: March 28, 2013 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Southern California

Moro Beach
in Crystal Cove State Park

Orange | Trails
Trail Rating:
Moro Beach in Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park has two main draws, the beach and the backcountry, so why not get a bit of both? The El Moro Visitor Center is the main trailhead for hikes into the backcountry (like Geology Discovery Trail), and it can also be the starting point of a 2-mile round trip hike to Moro Beach. This distance can easily be extended by exploring more of Moro Canyon and the surrounding ridges. ...Read more.
Tagged with · California State Parks · Crystal Cove State Park · Laguna Beach · Ocean Views · South Coast Wilderness
Distance: 2 miles · Elevation change: 150 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: February 27, 2013 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Southern California

Geology Discovery Trail (Backcountry Loop)
in Crystal Cove State Park

Orange | Trails
Trail Rating:
Geology Discovery Trail (Backcountry Loop) in Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park is one of Orange County's finest places to enjoy the outdoors. The park preserves 3.2 miles of coastline between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar and 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness (bordering Laguna Coast Wilderness Park). An excellent way to explore the coastal canyons and ridges in the backcountry of Crystal Cove State Park is to set out on Geology Discovery Trail, a 9-mile loop incorporating a few trails to highlight the park's rocky past. ...Read more.
Tagged with · California State Parks · Caves · Crystal Cove State Park · Laguna Beach · Nature Trails · Ocean Views · South Coast Wilderness
Distance: 9 miles · Elevation change: 900 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: February 27, 2013 Last updated: December 6, 2025
Southern California

Lake Huntington
in Huntington Beach Central Park

Orange | Trails
Trail Rating:
Lake Huntington in Huntington Beach Central Park
To describe this hike, you have to use a couple phrases that you wouldn't normally associate with Orange County, Central Park and Lake Trail, but you will also use a few phrases that are quite fitting for Southern California, laid back and leisurely. Like the Big Apple, there is a Central Park in Huntington Beach (the Big Orange?) with over 350 acres of green space just a couple miles from the blue waters of the Pacific. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Central Park · Free Trails · Huntington Beach · Lakes
Distance: 0.75 miles · Elevation change: 25 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: February 23, 2013 Last updated: April 9, 2026
← Older Entries Newer Entries →