Such a great workout and a great hike for all levels. We tend to go right after work around 6ish, and it can get a bit busy, but the overall hike takes us at least an hour, depending on what trail we do. A few of our favorites are the Peter's Canyon Trail, Ridge View Trail, Scout Trail, and the Mountains to Sea Trail. Some can be a bit challenging due to the hills, but after a while you will get used ot it and will see progress, as I did. Great location to get your heart rate moving and to work out in nature. Bring lots of water and comfortable shoes with grip for the steep hills. Also, don't forget to pay for a parking permit to avoid getting a ticket. read more

My favorite trail for a quick hike. I like going early before everyone is there and before it gets too warm. Definitely a safe place to go alone if needed. There's always someone on the trail. Lots of animals see also.. I've ran into coyotes, snakes, birds, roadrunners ... Would definitely recommend for beginner hikers read more

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If you're looking for a solid hiking spot in OC, this place strikes a nice balance--it's not completely cut off from civilization, but still feels like a legit nature escape. There are several trails to choose from, all clearly marked by difficulty, and the signage throughout makes it easy to stay on track. Still, it's a smart move to snap a photo of the trail map before heading out. We went with a moderate route, which was mostly easygoing with just enough challenge to keep it interesting. If you're up for more of a workout, the difficult trails will definitely get your heart rate up. The vibe was great, with lots of friendly hikers, and plenty of dogs along the way. We visited late Sunday morning, and it felt lively without being overcrowded. Parking was easy to find and only cost a few bucks. One heads-up: there's basically no shade, so sunscreen is a must! read more

I absolutely love Peters Canyon. It's my go-to spot when I need to get outside without driving an hour away. The trails are always well-maintained, and there's a good mix of flat paths and some solid "cardio" hills if you're looking to break a sweat. It's also incredibly dog-friendly (just keep them on a leash), and I always see plenty of mountain bikers out there who are generally pretty respectful of the hikers. Whether you're doing a quick loop or a longer trek, the views of the reservoir and the surrounding hills are beautiful, especially right now while everything is still green. Definitely a 5-star local gem in Orange County! read more

Peters Canyon Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

Lovely hiking spot, has easy, moderate and difficult hiking trails, with visible signs. Dogs welcome Heard it gets very busy on weekends 3.00 parking Watch out for snakes The only negative for me was that there is dog poop everywhere..... very irresponsible pet owners!!! But we Would definitely be back. It was fun! read more

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Great trail for anyone, it offers incline and decline options with alternatives for those who prefer a lower scale. Plenty of birds and fauna to snap photos of but it offers lots to do no matter who you are with. read more

Peters Canyon Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

This was our second time hiking here, and this time GPS took us to the north side of the trail near the lake. We were a little confused at first since we're more familiar with the south entrance, but we decided to keep going and it ended up being a great change of pace. For more experienced or frequent hikers, Peter's Canyon offers an excellent mix of wide fire roads and narrower single-track trails, with steady elevation gain, rolling hills, and exposed sections. The north side near the lake has a more gradual start, but don't be fooled because once you move away from the water, the climbs pick up and the terrain becomes more demanding. Expect packed dirt trails, some loose gravel in spots, and very little shade, so sun protection is key, especially mid-day. Compared to the south entrance, the north side feels a little more scenic and peaceful, with open views of the reservoir and fewer bottlenecks early on. The south side, which we personally prefer, feels more direct and workout-focused, with climbs that hit sooner and a more familiar loop rhythm. Important tip: there are two main entrances north and south, so double-check where your GPS is taking you. Both entrances charge for parking, but we actually ran into a local runner who frequents this trail and mentioned that street parking in nearby residential areas can be an option if you know where to look (always check posted signs). Overall, this is a great trail for hikers who want a moderate-to-challenging workout, open canyon views, and flexibility to customize distance and elevation. read more

OMG! First time coming to hike Peters Canyon. Wowwee, the big hill! That's a killer incline and there were hard core hikers jogging it. Yes, $3 dollars to park in the lot, pay at the machine. Traffic control will guide you to open spots. It was probably 90% full this morning around 930 am. The weather was fantastic! Lots of people, some of dogs, some joggers, some mountain bikers, some hiking poles. Half the folks had on hiking shoes others sneakers. read more

Peters Canyon Regional Park - THE HILL. - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

A year later and I am even more in love with this trail! Last year I came to Peter's Canyon to practice the hills, and it feels good to know those hills don't feel as hard (although still a good challenge). This year, I am able to explore the trail more, and it is such a great trail! I believe it circles to about 6 miles. It is definitely a great run trail to practice some elevation repeats, so I never got to do the full loop. The park is well maintained, and you can venture into different sections. Absolutely love this trail read more

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Great spot for a hike in OC! It's not fully secluded from the outside world but still enough where it felt like we were getting our nature on. There are a few different trails you can take, labeled with their difficulty. I would recommend taking a photo of the map before you start your hike so you can stay on the trail of your choosing. We did the "moderate" hike and it was mostly relaxing with a little challenge. Everyone was friendly and a few people had their dogs. We came on a Sunday, late morning and it was really nice! Plenty of parking spots for just a few dollars. Don't forget the sunscreen! read more

Peters Canyon is a solid little hike -- nothing wild, nothing dramatic, just a nice, steady trail that even the kids can handle. Mine are 2 and 4, and they did a comfortable 2-mile round trip without turning into tiny revolutionaries. That alone earns some respect. Scenery is calm, the air feels good, and it's the kind of place where you can actually hear your own thoughts for a second. Just enough incline to say you did something today. Important note: Bring water. It gets warm and there's not a ton of shade. Don't be out there raw-dogging nature. Easy, family-friendly, and worth the trip if you want a quick outdoor win. read more

Peters Canyon Regional Park - Welcome signage - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

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First off, what a fine name for a park! That's pretty much my thought process for deciding to check this place out. This past weekend was clear and sunny, and despite the lack of parking, I lucked out and eventually found a spot near the elementary school. It was around 10:30am, and there were plenty of folks walking, jogging, and riding their bikes on the designated paths. Some groups had dogs, while others had young children in tow. From Lower Peters Access Rd over on the southside trailhead, I made my way through the Mountains to the Sea Trail and eventually went up towards East Ridge View Trail. Shade is scarce, and the road is mostly packed dirt and rocks. Once you get closer to Upper East Ridge View, the roads have steep portions but nothing too difficult. The views are from up above are of the surrounding neighborhood and 261 freeway. Surprisingly, I didn't notice much wildlife. Didn't even catch any gnats on the Gnatcatcher path, though that's likely not a bad thing. There were some porta potties near the intersection as well as maps and info posters. As far as I know, the closest way to fill up on drinking water is over at Cedar Grove Park near the playground. Few more paths that I haven't explored yet like the Eucalyptus trail and the majority of the north trailhead. Hope to return soon! read more

Peters Canyon Regional Park - Gotta catch 'em all? - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

Great place for a hike. The wife and kids had a good time today. They have a few trails. Restrooms are clean and accessible. Benches along the trail for breaks. Great scenery, awesome time overall. read more

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fun easy and moderate hike. Great to bring the family and pets. I would love to come back here and workout my legs more. read more

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This is a moderately hard trail. It's steep. Note to self... Do not hike the day after going out for drinks. Omg... I had to stop a few times to catch my breath. It gets crowded if you go later. We started at 6am. When we started heading back down... There were large groups headed up. If it weren't for my friends... I might have turned back down and headed home. Glad I didn't. If hiking is your thing... Try this trail. I will definitely be back but definitely will not be drinking the night before. read more

This was a beautiful regional park that had amazing views and landscapes! We did the North Loop and there was some hills but it was enjoyable. There were quite a bit of people out walking as well on a Saturday afternoon. There was ample parking but you have to either pay $3 or scan your annual park pass. People are very kind and offer to give you their parking receipt on their way out of the park to display on your dashboard so you don't have to pay. I would definitely come here again! The entire park is clean (except at one part where there were horse droppings) and there are different difficulties/lengths of hikes for all experience levels! read more

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Arrive EARLY & promptly at 7AM! Parking got full by 8AM. I saw line of car waiting when I was leaving at 8:20ish on both Saturday and Sunday during July 2024. Parking: $3 All Day. 2 Parking Staff will be directing traffic/parking and keeping an eye out for cars giving their parking ticket away. They'll come talk to you if they see you get the parking pass from another driver who is leaving because they want you to pay at the pay station. County Employees: Just scan your employee badge on the black box HID (bottom left) and your Free ticket will print automatically. Weather got warm quickly by 8:30am so the earlier you go the better. It felt really nice being out and about hiking and walking in nature - NO SHADES. There people with mountain bikes and EV mountain bike. Horse and dog wastes. But overall, beautiful scenery and location is close to Irvine/Tustin/SA/Orange. There were signs for easy trails, moderate and difficult. It takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete one side of the park. Tracking Devices: It helps if your phone can connect to your car or tracking devices in your car so no matter how far you go, the map on your phone will direct you back to your car. So you're not lost easily and faster getting back. I wear regular walking shoes, hat, sunglasses and make sure to bring your stainless steel water bottle because the heat can heat up the plastic bottles which is not good. Some people were expert hikers with all their gears but many wore regular work-out clothes/shoes and were just fine - I think. Although, a good pair of hiking shoes help when going up and down the difficult sandy/dry/uneven uphill/downhill terrains. read more

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We hiked on Thanksgiving morning here! Beautiful weather, air and people, all cool. Somehow we got lost, had to hike more than we planned. Great walk. Recommend to anyone. read more

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Peters Canyon is a great trail to get some exercise in fresh air and nature. It's a fantastic place to hike with family, as there are everything from easy trails to harder moderate hill climbs. There are a good number of trails that loop off to the side of the main trail and some that require a moderate amount of uphill walking. There are lots of beautiful trees and a view of the reservoir from the hill. I recommend going in the early morning during hot summer days. Bring lots of water and stay hydrated. read more

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Sitting roughly on the border between the cities of Orange and Tustin in Orange County, Peters Canyon Regional Park is a large open space park offering visitors miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Its clean, well-maintained trails make a great destination for anyone looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the Orange County urban experience.   At various times I've hiked and ridden my mountain bike all throughout PCRP, and it's become one of my favorite destinations for both purposes.  So why am I only rating it three stars?  I can sum it up with just three words "The people suck"; check out list of cons for more info: - Cons: - If you visit here on a weekend, it's consistently so crowded with foot and bike traffic that Disneyland's "It's a Small World" ride is deserted by comparison - Mountain bikers share most of the trails also used by pedestrians, but almost none of them EVER let pedestrians know they're coming before zooming past (and sometimes into) them at breakneck speed. - There's a surprisingly prevalent disrespect for other visitors' right to peacefully enjoy their experience.  Its WAY too common for hikers and runners to blast their phones and music players without even bothering to use any kind of headphones - doesn't everyone want to hear tinny top 40 tunes while they ascend Big Red or run along Peter's Canyon Trail? ;-) - God must love idiots; he made so many of them - you'll be reminded of this anytime you run across a group of a dozen people hiking along a trail side-by-side, with everyone talking and/or yelling at the top of their lungs such that they can literally be heard a mile away... - Parking is very limited; all the spaces in the pay lot on Canyon View Drive are usually taken within a few minutes of opening time on the weekends, and street-parking in the area is restricted to residents only. - With the exceptional of the "Big Red" hill and the trails immediately adjacent, the terrain inside PCRP is mostly flat, with very little elevation change. - Pros: - The trails are very well maintained, and the staff very professionally takes great care to mitigate damage from flooding and fire whenever it occurs. - The park is open (subject to weather conditions) from sunup to sundown 365 days per year. - Virtually all the trails herein are dog-friendly, as long as your four-footed friends on leash. For my money, I gave up even trying to come here on the weekends, and prefer to visit during the week as close to daybreak as I can force myself to get out of bed.  If you manage your expectations for the behavior and decorum of the other visitors to PCRP, you'll doubtless enjoy yourself whenever you come here. read more

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This was a very cute & easy trail! Saw many people with their dogs or with their children which was comforting!'

The first time I've seen it full of life -- worth a 30ish minute drive! I go here for a couple hours on a weekend morning and it's just the thing to start a lovely day. There are several paths of the easy/moderate type, and the hard one goes up and down a few steep hills - but worth it for the views. Some of the paths are a bit overgrown at the moment, so I'd avoid a stroller. There's a pretty decent-sized parking lot as well (day pass purchase). read more

Peters Canyon Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

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Great place to hike and to get in some Good steps. They have easy trails and moderate with hills. I get a good quad workout on the hills. Get there early as it can get pretty crowded. read more

This is one of my favorite spots to hike in the OC area. I've been here with my spouse & numerous times with my friends & they've all enjoyed hiking here bc it's an easy to moderate trail depending on the route you choose to take. Parking does get packed on weekends especially on Saturdays so I recommend getting there early! read more

Park was very nice. It was clean and had a couple of good climbs for hiking. Lots of people enjoying the area today. Seems like there are many trails and loops to explore. The lake was calm and clear with a few ducks. Not as nice as O' Neill Park. It is very exposed so wear your sunscreen. Costs $3 to park, worth it. read more

Great place to get some steps in! Peters Canyon Regional Park has it all. Steeper uphill climbs, flat paths, shady areas and sun exposed sections. Coming in March, I saw tons of wildflowers too! The paths are quite wide so you're never too close to others. Overall, ~6 mile loop filled with lots of greenery and wildlife. There were lots of people with their dogs and even some strollers! read more

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Great place to hike! Fee based parking in Orange off Jamboree. Pay through kiosk machine. Reasonable prices. Great for all levels with many trail options. Go as little or far as you'd like. Lots to see. The other entry is in Tustin, which has free parking on the street but very limited. read more

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Definitely a strong 4.5 location. There's a north side with paid parking and a south side with street parking, with lower lake dr being a great location to park if the north is busy. Round trip from n to s can be around 4.5 miles to 5.5 miles. A variety of trails, inclines of 2° to around 15° rolling hills, long hill climbs, many rest area with benches and delightful picturesque sceneries. Great for bike riders, joggers runners hikes and walks. Pet friendly with leash and please bring comfortable workout shoes and water and clean up after yourself. Many small trails makes the adventure fun, exhaustive and complete. This trail can extend towards the north, Irvine park or to the south towards the river paths in Irvine. Whats missing is a park for the kids or possibly warer stations.... beyond that, a great place to chill out ... Get to it slow poke! read more

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Absolutely enjoyed hiking at this beautiful regional park. I never knew there was a hidden gem located in the city of Orange. Highly recommend! read more

The orange side parking lot is closed due to wet and mud situation. This is on 3/26/23 Not sure about the Tustin side. read more

This is my meditation spot, where I unplug from all my worries and connect with Mother Earth. I've been walking here for about 11 years now and it's my favorite trail in OC. This year's 2023 super-bloom is simply spectacular. When you walk around dusk you can hear the animals calling out to each other on the lake to look for shelter and hide from the nocturnal beings. I've seen coyotes in broad daylight here as well as snakes. A good balance of nature and accessibility for the trail goer's. read more

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My favorite place to walk/hike in OC...so much so I moved here after ten years of trekking here daydreaming about the neighborhood. If you're looking to make Peter's Canyon your neighborhood, too, please let me know as I'd love to be your realtor! read more

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Need to get some exercise in but are like me and don't care for cardio? Do you enjoy a nice hike? Do you want to be closer to nature? If the answers are YES, then let me introduce you to Peters Canyon Regional Park. Located in the hills of Orange County, Peters Canyon is a very popular destination for the folks who answered yes to the questions in the first paragraph. It's close to a six mile trek with different degrees of difficulty depending on what route you take. Being my knee is not in the greatest shape due to weightlifting injuries, my hiking partner (who was a Peters Canyon veteran) took pity on me and avoided one of the steep climbs but even then you will be going to some elevated points where you will perspire. Some of the views are gorgeous and well worth the trip. You can park on the streets but if you want to be closer to the trails, it's a mere $3.00 parking fee. And yes they do take debit cards. The trails themselves are well maintained and it does get busy there. There are bikers sharing the trail so be wary of that. Coming from Riverside, it's a lot of street driving once you're off the 91 so make sure your maps app is on point. All that said, it's worth the time. The hike was fun and even with my bad knee didn't have a lot of trouble finishing it. See for yourself and enjoy! read more

Peters Canyon Regional Park - Ready for a hike! - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

Peters Canyon Regional Park has a lot of flowers in bloom right now (May) & makes for a lovely hike. There are many trail markers, remember to keep an eye out for them. There are also frequent rest areas with shade and a bench. We went during a warm day, around 77-78F, and several hikers were passing on the word that rattlesnakes had been recently spotted, or that they saw rattlesnakes. Be aware and mindful. $3 to park and they have a Porta-potty that's decent if needed. read more

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tl,dr: Fun, kind long, but crowded hike. Barely any free street parking. Tips: . Find free street parking at these G Maps coords: Q64H+RJH Tustin, California. . Pretty long sunny hike. Pack a hat, sunblock, and ice water. . Check out HikingGuy for an almost perfect guide. . If you park inside, DO pay. I saw a tow truck enter as I was leaving. Likes: + They have a ranger station, so rescue should be efficient. Haven't found out for myself yet. + Beautiful sweeping views including the Peters Reservoir. + There were a lotta friendly hikers along the trail. + It's a nice pocket getaway within crowded suburbia. Non-likes: - Though HikingGuy said there's free street parking, I couldn't find any near the park entrance. Wish he specified where. I even saw in the residential area (around E Sugarloaf Peak Rd) a sign saying like "no Peters Canyon parking, you will be towed" yike. Only during my hike did I discover the actual free street parking: along Peters Canyon Rd, near Orchard Dr. - Parking spots are not clearly marked, so you gotta allow reasonable space between your neighbors. - Since I had no smaller than a $10 bill, I had to pay parking via credit card. Unsafe and unsanitary. They don't take G Pay. I wish they replaced paid parking with a donation box instead. - Only 3 nice restrooms available. The rest are porta-potties. - Restrooms lack paper towels. So have to use something like your shirt to open the door after you just cleaned your hands. -- For a paid park, I expect better than all of the above cons. - Crowded. Granted I went on July 4th. I guess many wanted to burn off what they're gonna load back up that night. - Though cyclists are supposed to yield for pedestrians, one cyclist had the callousness to holler at me to yield for him so he could zoom by. He shoulda gone to Santiago Oaks Park instead. So keep your ears and wits about you. - There weren't a lotta animals though. Maybe cuz of all the foot noise. Gripes: - Lotta ppl come here to rant about their problems. Walking along the trails, I heard a lot of rattle, and I don't mean the snakes. - Weird how a sign says "trails closed". [see photo] Why are there 3 Yelp pgs for the same place? lol read more

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Loved this hike! I came not long after it opened to maintain social distancing and there are even signs posted about how to use it safely! It's great that it's still open. Dog friendly- leashed. Open-air. Lots of greenery. Friendly people. Be careful of coyotes and snakes! read more

Peters Canyon Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

Such a peaceful park. There's plenty of parking and those that buy the daily permit leave it at the pay station (a majority of the time, myself included) when they leave so that someone else may use it :D. I frequently run the trails in this park so my review is solely on that. Various terrain and inclines/declines make this trail a fun and challenging one to do. In the early afternoon is when you'll start to see an increase in foot traffic, especially on the weekends. You'll encounter bikers (mountain mostly) as well, but not too often.. not a problem either as the trails here are wider than a single track. Almost all of the trail is exposed so it would be good practice to wear sunblock and/or a hat and stay hydrated. There's an outhouse near the parking in case you need a potty break before/after. There's not one specific trail here, there's many trails that connect with each other so you're basically creating your own route when you come here. Dog/pet friendly as well (from what I've seen)! read more

This place is in many ways great for hiking. You can tailor it to what you need. Plenty of hills to kick your butt. But, this place is crowded, especially on the weekends. It makes parts of the trail a little tricky if you are trying to be considerate and social distance. read more

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Fun place to get out with the dog when in orange. Easy walking, running, biking loops. Enjoy the sun and get outside and go for a walk if in the neighborhoods. read more

Peters Canyon Regional Park - Parks Near Me - Orange, California

This area has recovered so well from the fire. There are still some burnt tree trunks but they add to the scenery. There are so many flowers during the spring. A lot of birds so if you are into that bring your binoculars. A lot of bunnies around so hold your doggy leash tight when walking on the trails. That death hill is pretty good exercise and there are really pretty flowers on the little hill on top of the death hill. Parking $3 for all day sorting the week. I think it's $5 on weekends. A lot of people seem to park outside and walk in. read more

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