My favorite local hike that has all levels. The Oak riparian entrance is great for kids and beginners and you can go as short or long as you want. Closer to the lake you can enter in from the neighborhood and do a loop around the lake. The epic and challenging bit is hiking the dormant volcano itself. You can go one of three or a hidden fourth way up. The face is the most challenging and requires good balance. Both east and west sides require a little bit less, but it's a good strenuous hike that will get the blood pumping. My wife with Arthritis has done it and found it challenging. Our youth group does it a couple times a year and often will divide up based on the challenge they are looking for. It's great for an afternoon hike and when you've done it... plan a sunset hike. It's awesome. The tree cover near oak riparian entrance is really nice. The stream has cute little crawdads. That hidden entrance is at the bottom of cannon road where people will park at the church and enter the trail there. It makes for a longer walk, but there's also more trails. There's another under the power lines like a power line trail that starts paved then goes into the dirt trails. Note there are more mountain bikers and rarely you may see a OneWheel. read more

Great spot for a hike! There are plenty of trails to choose from, offering views of the lake, the volcanic plug, and Carlsbad. The hikes range from easy to moderate depending on the trail you take. Some sections are a bit overgrown while others are well maintained, but overall it's a beautiful place to explore. read more

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Amazing place to go for a hike. There are easy trails as well as some difficult ones. So there is something for everyone. Also, where else can you hike to the top of a volcano?!? Great views throughout the trail and a must try hike when in the area. read more

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The best Hiking place near me!!! ;) Love love love to come see the sun rise here with my kiddos and walk my dog! read more

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We did this hike over the weekend with our 16 month old and loved the little 1.8ish mile loop around the lake. There's plenty of ducks and wildlife to look at. While our daughter is in the stage of not necessarily having any one single thing hold her attention for too long, she LOVED watching the ducks dive underwater in Calavera Lake. She would do it over and over again and the ducks there would go underwater for a good 20+ minutes. The hike itself was easy and a good way to get out of the village/city for an hour or so. Plenty of parking on the neighborhood streets! Next time, I'd be curious to go up to the inactive volcano. read more

A cool hiking trail that goes around a volcano. Can adjust your hike for fitness level and also climb to the peak of the volcano. Opted for the medium loop around the lake and it was a great walk. Unfortunately the trail is shared with mountain bikers which can be tricky to navigate as it was uneven in some spots and they move quicker than hikers. I would be curious about hiking some of the other trails as well as the peak in the future! read more

My partner in crime and I decided to explore these hiking trails on a whim. I've had it bookmarked forever and I really needed a change of scenery...so we ventured out. I'm not sure how accurate the yelp location is because we ended up using google maps to find the actual trailhead. We snagged street parking, found the trailhead, and went out for a quick out and back hike. A few things to note...there are parts of the trail that are super narrow. While bikes are allowed, it's definitely a challenge to move to the side and let them pass or move in the opposite direction. The lake views are pretty and if you're into bird watching, you'll find plenty to watch in and around the lake. There are a lot of trails here, but we only explored a quick one as the weather was changing and the sun was starting to set. I wouldn't mind going back and exploring more! 4 stars! read more

Calavera Lake - Hiking Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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I really like walking in this preserve. I start walking at the Riparian Park trailhead. The hike starts under the trees but after about half a mile it opens up to blue skies. It is very good for all skill levels. read more

Good place for a little hike. Not much shade at all. I took my dogs there and it was hot. I'm glad I did bring plenty of water for them and a hat for myself. I didn't go all the way to loop the trail but saw lake and went back home. It was nice. Just be careful for rattle snakes. Parking is plenty along the road. read more

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It was a rewarding hike with great views. When one gets to the top of the mountains, one can see wild flowers such as the California poppies. Trails are not well marked so having All-Trails app helped. At one point, it was a steep and narrow slope with rocks - a bit nerve racking. Please respect the wild habitats and stay on the narrow path. DO NOT step on the flowers!!! read more

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It's so interesting there is a dormant volcano in the midst of a canyon behind neighborhoods of homes in Carlsbad. Even better that hiking trails have been established around the terrain and lake. The views were very nice and got better when you scaled up the slope to the mountain peak. There was a small parking lot near a trailhead, however it fills up quickly with vehicles. My biggest concern of Calavera Lake was the numerous side trails that lacked proper signage. It was very easy to get lost because of how many different paths you encountered along the way. Just doing a full circuit around was difficult without having to pause and figure out if you were still on the main trek or not. Using a hiking app on my phone helped a little bit, but the precision of the GPS was not great. I would not recommend bringing a large group, especially if folks are hiking at different paces, because it would be simple to get broken up into smaller packs that end up on separate trails. A hike like this should not become an inadvertent game of choose your own adventure. read more

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Peaceful mostly level hike around Calavera Lake. Currently due to excessive rains crossing the creek is not possible and the trailhead at the dam is closed (but easily passable - just a short number of steps across very shallow water) but you may still circumnavigate the lake by walking briefly down Lake Boulevard and reentering at the park or crossing near lake boulevard to go up and access the main trail. Basically if you're keep to the perimeter of the lake and stick to the main trails you may still make the loop. There is a moderate uphill grade if you go up from the mark or decide to go for the peak. Great views and not too busy. Four stars when completely open three stars currently due to trail closures and flooding. read more

The hiking trail around the lake is too rough for dogs. I wanted to put this out there because our dog's paw pads were injured on this hike. She will be fine but I really regret taking her obviously. Other than that, it was lovely and not crowded at all. read more

Great hike nice paths can go to the top of the volcano the lake is really nice too ive seen people kyak in it not sure if your supposed to though read more

I live close by so easy to get to, I can drive or walk. The parking is street parking near houses and can be quite crowded depending on the weather and time of the year. It borders Oceanside/Carlsbad and provides great views of the surrounding areas, and if you hike up some of the hills you can see the Ocean. There are so many trails that are here and branch out from here, all the way down to Carlsbad or the Ocean depending on how much adventure you want to partake in. There are some challenging parts to hike, and easy parts to hike, so something for all skill levels. There will be people walking, running, biking, hiking, etc. Hiking boots and walking polls/sticks would be good for some people in some areas. Plenty of nature to take in, flora, fauna, etc. The lake even has a trail around the perimeter but can be quite crowded with people not wearing a mask during Covid. I have seen coyotes, and other animals. Definitely worth exploring if you want a good hike and are in the area. read more

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The vibes, the plants, the trails, the mountain hike, the outdoors & quietness is heaven! (Watch out for coyotes & snakes!)

I went in with expectations of a moderate walk and ended up on an awesome hike here! Just, wow. There are so many trails all over... many are wide and well-marked. I decided to take the narrow rocky ones that go up the hill and I made it halfway. Note to self: bring your walking sticks next time. I started off of Tamarack because I parked in the neighborhood, but a buddy of mine told me to start from Oak Riparian Park off Lake Blvd so I will check out that trail head next time. Overall, a fun place for all ages and skill levels. I look forward to many return visits. read more

Calavera Lake - Didn't expect a trail this steep here! This carves in the side of the hill. I will bring my walking sticks next time for this path. - Hiking Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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January 2021 review for the hiking trails. Nestled in Carlsbad near Oceanside this is a nice family friendly mild nature walk. Depending on the route you take this could be a hike but overall, this is a walk. Great open hills/grasses and a little natural history. Parking is in a Suburban neighborhood as street parking. read more

During a Covid getaway in Carlsbad, we discovered Calavera Lake. Upon arriving early in the morning, we found parking next to entrance in the residential area. It was easy to enter the property and keep your eye on your vehicle at the same time during much of the hike. The hike was easy, enjoyable, and had many things to look at including the obvious trees, plants, and small lake. There were also minor elevation changes, which kept the hike interesting. We had to ask other hikers at times which way certain paths led to because the paths were not always marked that well. Calavera Lake was an enjoyable hike, and we spent about an hour and a half at the location. read more

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Calavera Lake offers a serene nature escape right in Carlsbad, CA. The trails are pretty sunny, which can get hot in the summer months. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes! The lake itself is beautiful and nestled amidst rolling hills and lush greenery. There's wildlife, plants, trees, and local flora and fauna to look at during your hike. Depending on how much time you have, you can go and do the full trail loop or just walk around the lake and enjoy the view. You can usually find street parking and then head to the trail from wherever you park. Whether you're a local looking for a quick escape or a traveler exploring the San Marcos area, Calavera Lake is worth a visit. read more

Great spot to hike or mountain bike! I've been coming here for over 20 years and have seen the development around the open space slowly encroaching - more neighborhoods and a high school. That being said, there is still a large area to roam. As others have mentioned, this is an extinct volcano or what's left of it (a plug)... So thats really really cool. You can venture up to the top or circle around the plug for a longer flatter ride/hike. There was a cave on the western side that someone plugged up with rock and concrete - bummer. Definitely watch for snakes! read more

Calavera Lake - Hiking Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Hiking, trail running, biking, walking the dog... you can do everything here except ride an ATV through the trails. There are many different trails that you can explore or different ways to meet your exercise goals. They have a paved fire road that you can run or trails to go to the peak. Plenty of parking on the streets and many different entrances into the lake area. Kind of remind me of mission trails! read more

Calavera Lake - Beautiful - Hiking Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Make sure to bring your hiking shoes, nice place to take a walk. Probably takes about an hour and a half to walk around the lake. If you're feeling up to it, get ready and take a hike up the large hill. read more

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Can't believe I had never been to this spot before. Took my Rudi there for a hike....directions led me to a residential area at an entrance to the lake and trails. Immediately I liked it....my pup loves these type hikes. We explored all the trails and had a really fun time. Pups have to have a leash but it's still a good time. Many plants and things to check out. Be careful when on the bike trails as the bikers can come out of nowhere. It's a fairly easy hike and if you get there early enough the weather is very pleasant. I had an easy time to find parking on the street. Cool place to explore and I'll definitely be back. read more

Great trail for families with young kids to hike/walk. I checked it out with my two sons (5 & 2) and husband. We were able to use an umbrella stroller and baby carrier to help when my kids were "tired of walking". It was challenging enough to feel like an adult moderate hike and easy enough for toddlers to tag along. The views are gorgeous (very scenic). My kids had fun running down the hills and playing "floor is lava" with the concentrated rock areas of the trail (paved path route. Overall, I would visit Calavera again. read more

Calavera Lake - Paved path trail - Hiking Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Today two large, off leash dogs charged through the muddy Lake Calavera trails and grabbed my small dog by the leash, pinning her to the ground. It took both of us, 6 foot and 6'3 guys to pull the German Shepherd and Lab mix off my dog. The owners, two young women, clearly did not have their dogs under vocal control because they did obey their commands. They did not apologize nor ask whether my dog was OK. Instead they kept right on walking, got into their car, and drove off. The behavior of these two dog owners on this public hiking and biking trail was ignorant, arrogant, ghetto, and illegal. This IS a nature preserve, not an off leash dog run park, and there are signs posted everywhere that dogs must be kept ON LEASH at all times! We've spent over 2k on my dog's training to ensure that she is socialized, obedient, and service oriented. She automatically heels and lays when she encounters aggressive dogs. I don't blame the two dogs but I do blame the trashy two young women who are their owners! I seriously don't give a sh*t if your dog is "friendly", "well behaved", "gentle", etc, when you are using the public hiking trails in the Lake Calavera Nature Preserve Park your dog(s) MUST be kept on a leash!!!! read more

It's a spiderweb of trails! Something for everyone. It's not just one trail but many to choose from- either study before or do what I did- went from path to path and eventually ended back to my car...Bathroom available. We went up the mountain and the terrain was challenging. Lots of dogs on leach, mountain bikers, families, and avid runners. We are definitely coming back to try a different path. read more

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Calavera Lake and the surrounding park is home to several excellent hikes. At its center is an ancient volcanic plug. Use All Trails for better information and trail maps. The best trail here in my opinion is the Lake Calavera Loop: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/lake-calavera-loop-trail This trail skips the rock scramble section, which is frankly not safe unless you have climbing poles. This nature preserve has been relatively well-managed (lots of native plants) and the hikes here are moderate and rewarding. If you are able to get to the summit of Mount Calavera, you get expansive, 360 views of North County SD. In addition, there's an intense dropoff where you can walk along the rim of the ancient volcano. My main criticism is that the City of Carlsbad could invest in some better trail signage. For example, the trailhead had run out of paper maps the last time I visited. And there was no full-size trail map near the bathrooms, either. That seems like a no-brainer. If you are not using All Trails, you could easily get lost. There are at least six intersecting trails here, so you could take a wrong turn. read more

Great local hike with numerous ways to enter and a variety of trails for beginner to moderate hikers. I parked on the street by the Tamarack entrance. We hiked straight up the middle which is moderately difficult because of how steep it is but it was a nice adventure. The trails can be like choose your own adventure; you can take a long or short route. Not sure about the other entrances but the Tamarack one does have a bathroom. read more

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Great loop hike. Thankfully the lake still had water! Trails are nicely maintained. Wide enough for pedestrians, bikes (there's alot), people with dogs (alot). I agree with previous reviews saying there is alot of dog poop on the trail but some looked to be coyote scat also. Plenty of poop bags and trash cans. Trail has good signage and some scattered picnic tables. There are two access points with flush toilet and water fountain but you can access from many other areas. read more

Easy access spot for some walking and/or hiking. We chose to park on the street by the neighborhoods off Tamarack and had no trouble finding a spot. Like many others noted, the signage is a bit lacking on the trails. Luckily, there are many paths and it was easy to orient yourself and just figure out which direction you want to go and find a trail that leads there. It's not very big, and a quick trip up to the two volcanic plugs and back was only a little over two miles. The hike up was steep enough to be a workout though, so go up and down a couple of times if you're looking for more of a challenge. read more

Calavera Lake - Hiking Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Such a wonderful hike and amazing views. Bring your dogs, children and lots of water. Don't forget to take a picture when you get to the top Some history for you: Lake Calavera is a manmade lake that was originally used as an agricultural reservoir. A dam was added at the southwest side of the lake in 1940 and is now controlled by the City of Carlsbad under a state-issued permit.  Today, the lake is considered a recreational body of water and serves as a scenic backdrop for walkers, hikers, cyclists and others who enjoy the trails in the Calavera Preserve.  The lake level rises from urban runoff and precipitation, and can be manually lowered by the city when lake levels reach the dam spillway. This prevents flooding downstream in areas like Rancho Carlsbad. read more

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Since there is not exact address, I followed the Yelp "DIRECTION" n got lost. Drove around the area twice finally give up and look up the Lake Calavera Website. There are 3 Entrances to this trail. 1. Carlsbad Village Drive (at Penisula Drive) and College Boulevard 2. Tamarack Avenue between Strata Dr & Knollwood Dr 3. Sky Haven Lane near Lake Boulevard (in Oceanside) I took Tamarack Avenue entrance. Very short hike to Dam n Lake. Trail is a little confusing since there is no sign. -Pass the gate follow the pavement road with 3 yellow painted poles -Follow pavement road. Left side is Lake -Pavement road turn to dirt road -Trail split into 2 - Left side is around the lake (flat). Right side is going to Volcano -At Volcano point the trail split into 2 again - Facing the Volcano. Left is incline around the lake. Right to high point for overview of city -Going to Overivew point of interest. There are many trails. Just take one as long going uphills. Its lead to same spot -When you see sign "Trail", you are close to the top. -Take left and go short uphill.. -Enjoy the city n ocean view. This could be loop trail if you want longer hike. If not, just go back where come started. This is moderate short hike with great workout. Nice view n close up of the lake read more

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A volcano in Vista/Carlsbad?! What?! Yep... Calavera was an active volcano at one point. How cool is that!!?!? I've been out here tons of times already and it has a little bit for everyone! You can take a relatively easy hike and go across the dam and around the lake or you can make it strenuous and go up the mountain and around the back for miles. You can make this hike as difficult and for as long as you like. There is so much to explore here. There are quite a bit of mountain bikers on this trail also. Most of these trails are not for beginners though... It's very tough to get up some of these hills and I definitely felt I couldn't do much as a beginner. If you go further back though there are some flat trails with only minimal elevation. You should definitely hike up the mountain at least once. The incline is steep but the views are well worth it. On a clear day you can see the ocean. Look down and around and you'll see the tons of trails as well as the stone circles. At the top you'll find two little funky gardens. One is more developed than the other- made with random trinkets and stuff. You'll just have to check it out for yourself. There is also a hidden, rather small cave I discovered on one of my outings along the base of the mountain. Anyhow, you won't get bored with all the trails out here. Enjoy! read more

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This is a fun family friendly trail. Perhaps my favorite in West North County. Hiking along the white sandy trails you'll get a very pleasant and rewarding afternoon of exercise. Our family hiked up the volcano first and right around the dangerous rim. Yes, it is dangerous especially if you have small and flighty children. Hold hands!!!! I would also suggest not to take the smaller kids along the suicide trail to the front of the volcano. It can be a bit intense if it's really windy up there. For adults, it not too scary unless you are deathly afraid of heights. After you finish the volcano hike, just look for the trails that go in the direction of the lake. It will loop back to your starting point eventually. Have Fun and enjoy the view from the top. - There are several small trails ( bike trails ) all around, take a few of them! They all lead back to the main trails and they give you a more intimate experience of the lake habitat. - Only a few sign to point out the main trails. Not a lot of signage on the southern part. The good news is that all trails probably lead you to where you want to go. - Be sure to take the full loop around the lake AND the hike up the volcano! - At the bottom of the volcano, in the Cairn garden, you will see a vertical trail that goes right up the top. This is a shortcut. I would only go UP this trail and not down. I watched a family hike up with a four year old but I would make sure your kids are good climbers first. - PARKING - The easiest way to find a parking area is to turn EAST on Tamarack. This will take you into a development and if you keep going down the road you will see cars parked along the side the road ( next to the dam ) read more

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Good for all levels. Be aware that not everyone here wears a mask, so keep that in mind if you are thinking about coming here and are ambivalent. Also to note, people bring their dogs here and they don't clean up after their dogs. Watch your step and if you're bringing your dog here, clean up. read more

My boyfriend has taken me here a couple times to go "hiking" and we both enjoy it. The best thing about Calavera Hills is the different trails you can take to the top. No two trails are the same, so you'll never get bored if you come here often. Some of the trails are clearly marked, but there are others that people seem to have created on their own. Fear not, it's nearly impossible to get lost here. The trek to the top of the mountain can be a little difficult, especially for less experienced people like myself, but the view is completely worth it. It's short and sweet, but it'll definitely give you that breathless feeling. Going down the mountain can be tricky as the incline is steep and the gravel can cause you to lose your footing. Bend those knees, folks! My only gripe is all of the dog poop I noticed along several of the trails. I'll never understand why people don't pick up after their pets. It's not hard to do and it clearly states on the signs that owners must clean up after their pets! Bags are even provided! C'mon people, please be courteous for others who use the trails too! Overall, a great opportunity for everyone to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air! read more

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Great hike!!! Not intense, it's good for a little afternoon walk, probably about an hour. Beautiful views when you get to the top, you get a full 360 view of the city. Parking is also super easy as well, probably the main reason why I love it. Can park, then do a quick hike and be out. read more

My Fiancee and I told illegal fishermen to leave. We enjoy taking our dogs on the trails around the lake. It's very peaceful there.

I have removed 2 stars from my review because this trail should be renamed Dog Poop Trail, or Irresponsibility trail. The trail started fine enough with easy street parking, but as I started walking on the trail I noticed many dog poop piles in spite of several garbage cans and several dog poop stations with FREE BAGS. So instead of focusing on nature, one has to be watchful to avoid the poop, which in some cases was right smack in the middle of the trail/road! I was with my dog, and I was very disappointed that this area seems to have plenty of residents who lack personal accountability for picking up the dog poop of their dogs. Unfortunately, this is what leads cities to ban dogs from accessing parks. So if you are reading this review, please be RESPONSIBLE and set a good example for your kids and for the rest of the world and pick up your dog's poop and all your garbage. Also, on my way back to the car, there was a used/pooped DIRTY DIAPER thrown on the ground! So people who go to this trail do NOT pick up after their dogs, but apparently they also DON'T properly dispose of their kids diapers! Honestly people, get your act together and clean up after yourselves! There are plenty of garbage cans around! and plenty of signs reminding people of the rules. Now, after my rant about dog poop and irresponsible people, I will mention that the park has no fishing in the lake (too bad because my son was trying to find a new place to fish). read more

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