Pretty easy hike. 4.8 mile loop. The cave itself was a bit underwhelming but worth checking out. Be sure to start early because there is barely any shade. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park opens at 7am. It does get busy and there's a lot of bikers. read more

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I had read some reviews - some said is moderate and some said is easy. What I found out is depending on which trails you take I went with family w/ 5 yrs old & one with having issue walking, I need to find the easy trail and start at Aliso and Wood Canyons Parking to Cave Rock to Dipping Cave. Cave Rock is small cave, is good stop and let little one rest. We turn to left at 2nd sign pole. 1st sign pole, we did not take since look like is go on top of the cave. Dripping cave have a small incline, that my 5 yrs old having fun sliding down. We saw fox on the way back to the car. Close to 5 mile RT - EASY - In and out Kid / stroller friendly Parking: Aliso Woods Parking Fee $3 parking station / Free street parking Bathrooms on side of Visitor center - clean and big Water bottle refill & water fountain is front of bathroom Trail is pavement / dirt - watch out the poop on dirt Parking to Cave Rock (2nd sign pole)- 1.85 mile (1.5 miles on pavement) 1 Portable bathroom / few picnic tables (1.5 mile from parking lot) Cave Rock to Dipping Cave back to parking lot (3.12 miles) Not much of shade - bring hat / sunblock read more

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I was so excited to come here but I was kind of disappointed there was no "dripping effect," but then again it's summer time right now so maybe I'll come back after the rainy season. HOW TO GET HERE: 1. Park at the Aliso & Wood Canyon Wilderness Park (Tip: park on the roadside not the lot for free parking) 2. Start on Aliso Creek Trail for about 1 mile 3. Turn right when you see the portable restrooms to go on Wood Canyon Trail (we made the mistake to keep walking on Aliso creek trail don't do that) 4. You can stop to see cave rock by PASSING the first trail sign that says "cave rock trail." When you see the SECOND "cave rock trail" sign it'll be right there (saves you time) 5. Continue on wood canyon trail & when you see Dripping Cave follow the signs and easy to find To Car Wreck Trail: 6. Go back on wood canyon trail & keep moving forward 7. When you see Mathis and coyote run trail take Mathis trail for a bit til you get to the fork in the trail 8. You'll see the big hill on the left-don't worry make a left and take the car wreck trail & follow to reach your destination:) read more

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Easy hike, more if a walk. Wheelchair friendly. Such a fun rock to see. Actively dripping all over!

This is a good hike. About 5 miles. Very easy hike with little incline. About 400ft of elevation gain. The highest elevation is only 250ft MSL. No dogs are allowed on trails so don't bring them. This trail is in the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. What is nice about this trail is that if you go in spring and summer there is generally water in the creek. Just enough to hear it babbling. Sounds wonderful! Also many birds on this trail so if you are quiet you will see a lot! The cave itself is very neat. You can see old remnants of something they used to hang on the ceiling of the cave. Check it out! read more

Dripping Cave - Inside cave looking at entrance. - Hiking Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

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I looked up my nearest trails and saw this place that said dogs are welcome ! Came in and ranger kicked us right out because apparently no dogs are allowed! Well that's bullshit if dogs are not allowed then put it on your website also instead of making people loose time and gas! read more

We started walking on Saturday early morning.The trails are mostly beginners friendly.Most of the trails are flat with slight ups and downs.There is a main trail and some brances to small trails. We liked the natural views.We spotted deers on our way.It was a nice place for a morning walk and very close from Irvine. It is better to start and finish hiking in the morning as there is little to no shade on main trail.The main trail is also dominated by bikers.So be careful. read more

Dripping Cave - We spotted a deer family! - Hiking Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

Dripping Cave, also known as "Robbers Cave," gets it name from the water that drips from the sandstone cave's upper lip. It must happen after it rains, there was no dripping the day I visited. It is also the site that was used by Juan Flores and his gang of outlaws from 1856-1857. They used it as a hideout after they robbed stagecoaches and stole livestock. You can still see the holes in the ceiling where they anchored pegs that held gear and saddle bags filled with coins. What's fun about this hike is the various creek crossings and the informational displays; it keeps the kids engaged. There are 28 other named trails so there is a lot more to explore when you're done. The trailhead is located at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park (28373 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Niguel). It's a 4.5-mile round trip hike from the park entrance. There is a also a 2-mile round trip shortcut that starts from inside a gated community located at Oak View Dr and Crimson Canyon. Take Hunwut Trail to Wood Canyon Trail to Dripping Cave Trail. I also noticed an unofficial trail located in the back of the running track of Soka University. This route takes you down a fairly steep hill to Wood Canyon Trail. read more

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Pretty cool to find a nice mellow hike in the heart of So. Cal. Unfortunately we went to hike to Dripping Cave and we made a 2+ mile hike and when we got there the trail was closed due to the fire last year. No signs let us know that before we headed out. There is another small cave just before that where we stopped which at least helped the grandsons see something interesting. Parking is $3.00 but you need to park off of Alicia and Awma Rd. The directions take you to a trail head at SOKA University and you can't access the trail from here. Very mellow and tons of people were out enjoying this place. The "trail" is actually a paved road for roughly 3/4 - 1 mile before you veer off on a dirt path. Pit toilets at the parking lot and out on the trail. The hills were very green and the creek had a good amount of water in it. We saw a coyote, small herd of deer, roadrunner and numerous small animals. Cool place. read more

Such a fun hike and accessible for little kids or strollers. There is plenty of shade and vegetation. So it doesn't feel like a desert death march. Lots of loose and Dusty dirt, I would suggest wearing long socks or pants for kids. Next time I'll be bringing insect repellent, there were quite a few little mosquitoes. Just a really unique hike for Orange County. Bathrooms: there are bathrooms located near the parking area, in the form of porta potties. I would suggest using them before the hike & plugging your nose. ;) read more

Can't complain. Nice walk to the cave. Cave was nice. We got lucky and beat the hiking crowd. 50 people showed up once we finished. read more

Dripping Cave - Hiking Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

Attempted to visit the dripping cave yesterday and unfortunately it is still closed due to the fire restoration just an FYI in case anyone is trying to visit anytime soon, wouldn't want you to drive far and find out it is closed. Other than that, it was a fun easy hike and the mountains are beautiful right now with so much green everywhere! it definitely is still a nice hike with a beautiful scenery! Also be careful with the bikers, try to stay to your right to let them pass you, they will not stop and I don't blame them since they are going at a fast speed. read more

12/9/18 - Just as an FYI - we went today and the Dripping Cave trail was closed due to fire restoration.

this is a fun,easy hike. many,many trails to chose from. you can start from Aliso wood canyon wilderness park for dripping cave trail or start at top of the world for the hike that takes you to a abandoned car,I think it's called wrecked car trail. so many options,easy and hard trails available. read more

Dripping Cave - love flowing water - Hiking Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

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Cute hike. Parked at the church next door, despite the signs that said not to. The little lot and street parking gets full quickly. Great, flat trail. Very beautiful. Lots of rolling and green hills. The caves were awesome and fun to play and take pics in. I recommend this trail for all different types of hikers. read more

This hike is fun. The scariest part is the bikers that pop up at you going at high speeds and don't stop because they can't stop. Otherwise a very scenic hike. The journey to the cave is the best part. Be sure to bring lots of water and a sun hat of some sort and be prepared to lose cell reception (with at&t). Also be careful about where you park, you will get towed if you park on certain streets by residents (understandable to me). Otherwise a great trail. No dogs allowed and one porter potty a mile past the dripping cave. read more

Hike is a little long if you're a beginner like me but quite easy. Saw a lot of deer close up, it was awesome. The canyon is teeming with wild animals and on our way back we heard coyotes yipping in the distance. It was already pretty green and I bet it's even greener during the spring. By the way, the cave does not drip. read more

Easy walk through scenic hills. The history of the cave is interesting. The signage along the way is good. It's $3 for the day to park in the trailhead parking lot. read more

Took my 3 year old son there, easy and fun to hike around, but it's a nice trail. Bring water snack and stroller for small children. read more

Easy and relatively flat hike. Be ready to be out in the sun without much cover for about half of the hike. The dripping cave is cooler in temperate and has a fun history so I'd highly recommend stopping by if hiking through the Laguna canyon. Watch out for the mountain bikers zooming past you on the trails & stay to the right so they can pass you on your left. Bring water & some sun screen & if you're up for more adventure after this short hike hop on another trail in the canyon either leading towards the top of the world in Laguna beach or aliso viejo canyon side. read more

Flat, easy, lots of wildlife. Every time I go I either see deer or a bobcat. I highly recommend it. Kids have fun playing in the little caves too. read more