Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary

    5.0 (4 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary

    Recommended Reviews - Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    Ask the Community - Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Lakes 514 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Calavera Lake - Lizard

    Calavera Lake

    4.2(105 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    My favorite local hike that has all levels…read more 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.

    Great spot for a hike! There are plenty of trails to choose from, offering views of the lake, the…read morevolcanic 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.

    Photos
    Calavera Lake
    Calavera Lake
    Calavera Lake - Good sunny day

    See all

    Good sunny day

    Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve - Blue dragonfly

    Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

    4.6(233 reviews)
    15.4 mi

    We arrived around 8 AM on a Sunday, and the main lot was already full, but there's an overflow lot…read moreabout 400 feet away where we were able to grab the last spot. The trail itself was pretty quiet. We passed a few people here and there. It's very well maintained, though there aren't any signs or clear directions at certain points, so I'd recommend using AllTrails to stay on track. Also worth noting, there are no trash cans along the route, so plan accordingly. The trail is technically listed as not dog-friendly, but we did see a couple of dogs along the way. We did the 4.5-mile overlook loop. There were a few sections that were a bit steep, but overall it's a fairly easy hike with mostly flat terrain. There's a lot of greenery throughout, and the creek adds a really nice touch. It's a really scenic and peaceful setting. It took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. We went on a cloudy day, which ended up being perfect for the hike. Overall, it's a beautiful, well-kept trail and definitely worth checking out.

    What an incredible trail! The mix of flowing water and those scattered rock formations makes every…read morestep feel like a little adventure. Going around 10 in the morning sounds perfect for soaking in the peaceful vibe without running into many people. It's a relatively easy route with plenty of spots to pause for a picnic, making it the perfect way to connect with nature and start the day surrounded by quiet beauty.

    Photos
    Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve - Dragonfly

    Dragonfly

    Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
    Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

    See all

    Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary - lakes - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...