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    Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

    4.5 (196 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 5:15 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Dreaded Hill
    Hollyann B.

    Whiting Ranch is popular hiking and mountain biking trail. I set off from a little strip mall with a Starbucks and Wahoo's, but I was quickly fully in nature. Trails are well-marked, and the trails all connect in such a way that it's hard to truly get lost. You may add a mile or five to your hike, but you'll eventually find your way back to your car!

    Jasmine L.

    my apple map originally routed me to a neighborhood, so i would definitely recommend routing to the parking lot that's near ralphs. the parking lot is $3 but you could just park at the ralphs. the hiking trail was perfect. a little dusty, a little stream running through the trail, lots of big rocks and green foliage, uphill and downhill, and shady spots. my friend and i didn't bring water but we were able to walk for about 2 hours before heading back. i'd hike this again with water to hike for longer, but overall this was a very good hike

    Valerie C.

    First time here. The first 1.5 miles is pretty easy and flat. Pretty shady at the beginning of the trail. It's not paved, but suitable for family and bikes. Once you get to the split, you can choose either a moderate or a difficult trail to continue on. Or turn around and head back. It is a really nice morning hike when the temp is in the 60's. I suspect it would get uncomfortably hot during summer. The trail is popular but not crowded. And it's clean. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed. (Even though we saw at least 2 nonservice dogs on the hike.)

    Juan G.

    Cool hiking trail here in Foothill Ranch. Parking is very limited at the park, about 20 spot, maybe a bit more, but not much more. $3 for the day. We parked at the shopping center right in front of the park (Crossing Portola Parkway), by the McDonald's and a Planet Fitness. Plenty of parking there, it's also free. 2 minutes walk from the trial entrance. Very well maintained trail. Easy for the first mile and a half or so (1.45 miles approx.) on Borrego trail. After that it splits and you can choose between a moderate trail (Can't remember the name, but is to the right on Mustard Road) and the hard trial (to the left on Mustard Rd). About 2 and a half miles all the way to the Vista Lookout (1500' Elevation). All uphill once you make a left on Mustard trail and keep going. Definitely a cool spot. No pets. Bikes are ok, they can only go one way, so I don't know where they would end up at!

    Red rock canyon
    Karen L.

    This is a hidden gem, although isn't all that hidden as it gets really busy. I ran into lots of families, bikers and trail runners but still a good trail for the lovely views and ease. I did the Red Rock Canyon trail. Even at a slow pace, you can do this in about 2 hours. No huge elevation gain but some bigger ups and downs as you approach the last half mile. Everything is well marked. It's very cool how you start out in a forest and end up in another world at the end with the red rock formations. There's clear signage that stops you from going further but there are a few steps within the red rock that make for good photo opps. Tips: + Come early for parking. The lot isn't big but nice. Costs $3 and the machine accepts both card and bills. + Some shade but could get sunny so bring a hat and sunscreen. + If you're not much of a hiker, bringing hiking poles can be nice for balance to navigate the rocky spots about a half mile away from the end. Plus the trail was kinda washed out with streams and puddles from the rain.

    Leona W.

    A really nice hiking trail to go with friends/ family. You can go easy or difficult trails. The red rock canyon trail is easy and beautiful scenery. Roundtrip to red rock canyon is 1.5-2 hour depends on pace. Lots of trees on the trail and shading but still bring a hat and sunscreen. Remember don't go right after raining as trail might be muddy or have water puddles. You can park right outside the trail but have to pay $2. Sometimes people parked in front of Ralph's but it is not encourage and might be towed.

    Sallie R.

    Great place for a hike to see the Red Rock Canyon in Foothill Ranch. It's an easy hike which will take about 1.5 to 2 hours round trip. The walk to get there is beautiful. You'll come across little creeks, streams, blooming flowers, unique looking trees, plants, bunnies, lizards, all type of birds, and more. Most rewarding part are the Red Rocks which you don't see everyday in California. It's worth the hike. There was a sign posted stating beware of mountain lions before trails started. Just thankful I didn't see any, since this was my first solo hike. Parking is $3 with spaces between 25 to 30 spots. I recommend visiting in the morning as it gets busy later in the afternoon. Glad I was able to visit when it wasn't crowded. When you have a chance, check it out.

    Saddleback Church Hiking Group
    Michele L.

    Whiting Ranch/Dreaded Hill It was such a beautiful day for a hike on Saturday! It was so green. It made all the butt burning hikes worth it lol Whiting Ranch Staging Area 27901 Glenn Ranch Rd Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679 Parking: $3 Elevation: 900 ft Tip: bring hiking poles and wear hiking boots We had such a fun time with friends and new friends!

    Oak trail
    Ce L.

    Scenic choose your own pace and style hike with some shaded hikes ranging from short to long! We took the shaded path and even managed to see a few female deer grazing along it. The only major thing we had to constantly watch and listen for were mountain bikes. Some are courteous and you can hear them coming, but some aren't so... SO sharp ears will keep you from collision cause by the time they see you coming around a bend it would be too late. A few macro shots of small areas make it seem like large crevasses/canyons and desert for ants lol.

    Jack H.

    Located in Foothill Ranch, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is a great place to hike and mountain bike! The main entrance for this park is located right next to a busy shopping center (where Ralph's is located) off Bake Pkwy. Parking is $3 in the designated spaces, but I see many people park in the adjacent shopping center. These trails get decent traffic, and is appropriate for all ages (saw plenty of young kids, adults, and elderly during my hike) and I would rate the difficulty as easy/moderate, depending on where you're at in the park. Scenery is beautiful along the way, but more so once you get to the top (near the water tank). Nice view of the foothills and Pacific Ocean on a clear day. If you're active and looking for a local spot to explore, I would highly recommend Whiting Ranch. Note, this is mountain lion country, so be vigilant out there!

    Peter H.

    The word "romantic" was mentioned of this trail more than a handful of times. Largely I would think because of the misty raindrops falling on our heads and non-head surfaces, but also because the trail itself seemed to have that effect. Deer were appearing out of nowhere and didn't seem bovvered by hikers. Boulders and pebbles that would still be colorful on a dry, sunny day were particularly eye-catching creating a glistening red, purple and grey backdrop in the rain. Ascending the trail with the early morning fog had the effect of being up in the clouds. With that said, the group of us are somewhat of a sarcastic bunch. Being drenched in romance with mud gumming the soles (soul?) isn't ideal, but I really liked the contrast to the summery weather we usually get. I would say come prepare if it's a cloudy day. This park is one of the more well-maintained ones out there so not a lot of ripping/tripping hazards. There was also a 5K/12K Halloween race the day we went. The amount of people this trail gets keeps the mountain lions at bay, I would hope...All in all, I recommend heading down here while the weather is as pleasant as it is.

    Alexandra P.

    We really enjoyed this hiking trail! It was easy enough to complete with two tween kids, no many bugs, not too rugged of terrain, some shady areas to rest, and easy to find. I would've never guessed this cute little parking lot lead to such a nice trail in such a populated area. It took several hours to complete, but it is definitely a trail that I would explore again. No dogs allowed.

    Kiara D.

    The entry point being located within a shopping mall, we were prepared to be bamboozled by Whiting Ranch's promises of Red Rock, but after a hour or so hike, you are transported to an almost Arizonian landscape. The trail itself is fairly quiet, with a few bikers speeding by. With the heat, the hike can feel rather grueling, so I would suggest packing multiple waters. It's absolutely crazy to know that landscapes like these are present in the Orange County area, amidst the hustle and bustle of business and housing. Truly a hidden gem!!

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    No dogs allowed and paid parking despite being in the middle of nowhere. Not recommended.

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    Review Highlights - Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

    We took the Red Rock Trail which took us into a narrow river bed and had some cool views of the sand rocks.

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    Borrego Canyon Overlook Park - Great place to watch the sunset

    Borrego Canyon Overlook Park

    4.3(11 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Borrego Canyon Overlook Park is a mini neighborhood park nestled in a residential area, overlooking…read morethe Borrego Canyon. It is basically a patch of greenfield with a small playground. The park is so small that the walkway is only on one side of the park. The paved road ended at the far end of the park. Anyone feeling adventurous can follow the dirt trail all the way to the Whiting Ranch park entrance I was told. This quaint park is clearly intended for neighbors' use only as it does not have a public restroom on-site. The best asset of this park is its gorgeous view of the canyon. Clearly the Bond Fire got too close to the park when you see the wooden fence been replaced by iron stakes covered with a orange mesh, and the charred remain of trees on the other side of the fence. As small as it may be, it has more visitors than the other, larger, Borrego Park, about a mile down the hill. It seems to be very popular with dog owners walking their dog(s).

    Small little park that has a great view of parts of Lake Forest and Foothill Ranch. Parking is on…read morethe street, but I've never had any problems finding a spot. There are benches and tables for a nice picnic, and a small playground for kids. I think the best view is actually away from the city and looking down into the canyon. I've never seen people there, but there are trails - I wonder if that's open to the public? Anyway, very peaceful place. I love coming here!

    Photos
    Borrego Canyon Overlook Park - Cool nighttime walk pic

    Cool nighttime walk pic

    Borrego Canyon Overlook Park - Another beautiful fall day at the park

    Another beautiful fall day at the park

    Borrego Canyon Overlook Park

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    Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary - black chinned hummingbird

    Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary

    4.3(54 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    Came here today on a whim after visiting the Modjeska House just down the street from this place…read more The gift shop was open and we ended up buying some soap, 2 finger puppets for the kids, and a ENC tucker magnet. The gift shop was a museum too and had lots of interactive exhibits for the kids. We saw live snakes and frogs on display as well. Across the street from the gift shop was the actual sanctuary which is a 0.25 mile loop - you can finish it within 10-15 minutes if you want fast. An amphitheater and bird viewing area is in there as well. The creek was dry when we went but did see a small pond with lots of tadpoles. Also be aware of rattlesnakes as we heard they come out in the summer time. Trail was 80% shaded so was not so hot. Found out that TUCKER was acquired by ENC of Newport Beach in 2022 so you'll see lots of ENC gear in the gift shop. There are essentially 2 ENC locations now - one here and one in Newport Beach. Pretty interesting!

    Our company did a corporate team building event with the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) at the…read moreTucker Wildlife Sanctuary. The event Mindy and Shelbi set up for us was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!! Our team has been raving about it ever since we left. I am so impressed with how everything was planned and organized. Mindy had prepared such creative activities that our team participated in with pleasure. We all had a chance to elaborate about the impact each activity had, and what takeaways everyone got from each activity, which was so impactful. Shelbi did an amazing job educating our team with her vast knowledge about nature and the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary's history. Her passion for nature was contagious, especially after taking a mindful moment at the end of the program, and really taking in all the surroundings and having a collaborative debrief of the day! I thought it was absolutely amazing how well the program flowed and tied in key themes that were relatable for the work setting. Everyone definitely had fabulous take-aways that they are bringing back to the office. I think the goal was to bring everyone closer together and have a better understanding of different communication styles, the goal was definitely achieved with ease. Not only did Mindy and her team deliver an exceptional service, but the entire experience had a genuine sense of warmth and friendliness. It is rare to find a company that delivers exceptional services while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Without hesitation, I will recommend ENC services at Tucker's to friends, family, and colleagues who are looking for a positive outdoor adventure. Mindy, I look forward to continuing our relationship and I am so happy we kept in touch through the different career paths. With heartfelt appreciation, Anna and Diaz Yourman & Associates (DYA)

    Photos
    Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary - Nature Center ENC

    Nature Center ENC

    Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary
    Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary - Hike in Cleveland National Forest

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    Hike in Cleveland National Forest

    Lake Forest Nature Park

    Lake Forest Nature Park

    3.8(13 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Hidden gem in the heart of a business district…read more This is a little trail with some shaded areas. It's a narrow walk with signage for some species of plants. You can spend half an hour to an hour walking through at a leisurely pace and eating at the benches.

    "Hidden Park" is what they should call this place. First, it isn't really visible from the road,…read moreand second, the entrance is is the middle of an industrial/business park type of neighborhood. Not the type of place you would expect to find a little park with live oaks, cool green grass, and a few small running trails. But that's what's here - a pretty oasis of nature in the middle of suburbia that can offer you respite from a busy or stressful day. Since it is somewhat sandwiched into an unlikely area there usually aren't too many people around. This actually makes it the perfect spot for a somewhat private picnic lunch, especially when the weather is nice outside. Make sure to take the trail that goes "down" into the ravine, as that is where the park area is located. The other side is more of a running/jogging trail. You will find some beautiful trees and a nice sloping hill with some grass, a gazebo and even an outdoor barbeque. Also, as others have mentioned, this is really just a wide spot on the Serrano Creek trail, which is much longer and runs through the park. Make sure to plan your trip if you are looking on going for a longer hike. You can actually start here and go pretty far.

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    Lake Forest Nature Park
    Lake Forest Nature Park - Cactus in bloom!

    Cactus in bloom!

    Lake Forest Nature Park - No cocktails

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    No cocktails

    Limestone Canyon Regional Park - this flower smells like maple syrup!

    Limestone Canyon Regional Park

    3.9(15 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    Ahh...! I love Limstone Canyon. It's fairly well-preserved since it's accessible by wilderness…read moreaccess days or organized event only. You can have advanced beginner or intermediate hikes here, based on the trails you take. You can get some good elevation on some of the hills that seem a bit never-ending. Things are still looking green with the rain this winter/spring. Definitely recommend a visit. Look at LetsGoOutside.org for events. 2023: 31/100

    Access is very limited. I visited on a Wilderness Access Day; I think this is about once a month…read more I planned on visiting the previous month but like many trails in OC after it rains, they close for couple days after. It was my first time visiting so I am not sure whether this happens on every open Access Day that traffic builds up on Santiago Canyon Rd about a mile from the gate. Parking is at the Augustine Staging Area. The main lot filled up so I was directed to park up the hill on Hicks Haul Rd, a little extra mileage. If I were to estimate how long I was in traffic to get inside, I would say 40 minutes. By the time I parked and got to the trailhead, they were not letting any more cars in. I overhead a hiker saying she had parked somewhere else and took an Uber in. I intended on hiking to "The Sinks"; likely the most scenic view throughout the park. It is referred to as a mini Grand Canyon. They have a platform you view it from and you actually do look down into it. I consider it an easy hike to The Sinks and pretty straight forward, staying on one main trail. I took on some extra mileage by hitting up the small off-shoot trails which actually had some gain, recommended if you're looking for a workout. A second platform exists off Limestone Ridge for the "East Sinks" but the view isn't as great. It's a little more work to get to. They want you in your car and out of the park by 2:00pm so keep that in mind. They also patrol the trails not only on foot but also bike to make sure people get the steppin' when it gets close to closing time. As other reviews mentioned, check the website for other activities. Unlike Wilderness Access Day, they require you to sign up and limit the number of people.

    Photos
    Limestone Canyon Regional Park - Yucca in limestone canyon

    Yucca in limestone canyon

    Limestone Canyon Regional Park
    Limestone Canyon Regional Park

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    Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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