Mission Trails Regional Park

My toddler boys have been on so many different hikes but this remains at the top of their list! We love the visitor center which has an interactive museum attached to it where you can learn about the Kumeyaay people and the rich natural history of the area. We love all of the different trails which are kid friendly with mostly flat terrain and some climbing opportunities and even a creek to cool off in. The trails are also dog friendly, with a water station and a dog parking post in front of the visitors center. But be careful on hot days with both furry friends and kids who can get easily over heated. There is some poison oak on the trails so educate yourself on what that is and make sure your kids are careful too. There is an overflow lot if you can’t find parking here on the weekends or when they are hosting a free event

Mission Trails is an 8,000-acre regional park in San Diego, California, with over 60 miles of trails and two lakes. As one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The park features rugged hills, river valleys, and historical sites, offering a range of recreational and educational opportunities.

Great hiking trails right in the middle of San Diego! There are many different trails to choose from too! Uphill, downhill, flat, etc.

Beautiful, well cared-for trails and habitat. The porta-potty was surprisingly gross, considering all the obvious attention given to the surroundings.

One of my favorite places to hike, there are so many different trails and options. Fun, hard hikes, and mellow nature walks.

Well maintained. Many hikes in one. Famously for cowles mountain but people are sleeping on Kwaypay! You will find something for everyone's experience level.

I hiked from the park entrance to the peaks of two mountains. It took about three hours. The nature was diverse and beautiful. The endless vistas were truly soul-soothing. The trail varied: at times rocky, sometimes crossed by streams, and occasionally a steep mountain path. So, make sure to wear hiking boots. With a racing heart, I stood at a steep cliff, taking in the incredible beauty. You'll occasionally meet other hikers on the route, so if something happens, there will be help. I hiked in the heat, so make sure to bring plenty of water.

we were in need of a substantial hike. We headed out of central San Diego to a place called Mission Trails Regional Park. The drive here was only just over 15 minutes. We parked near the visitors centre and pretty much followed the Oak Canyon to Grasslands Trail found on AllTrails. On the day we visited it was extremely quiet and we only saw a handful of others out and about. It was a really pleasant place to visit.

Plenty of hiking trails. Well maintained. Walking to the damn from the visitors center is about 2 miles one way so 4 round trip. Fairly easy hike and paved the whole way. They have plenty of other dirt trails as well so really nice to get out and enjoy nature. Visitors center sells some snack items and has a gift shop inside. Employees friendly.

While touring the area in a 100 year old Model T Ford, this was the first stop on our daily drive. I found it to be a nice park with a very informative visitors center. We drove thru and I wished that our time would have allowed us to visit the dam site. Since I have family in SD, i will try to get back on my next trip

Outdoor time in San Diego. We did a short hike here last week, but it's possible to get lots of miles if you have the time; there are more than 8,000 acres of natural and developed recreational areas here. From the parking lot, you can follow an asphalt path that meanders down. There are numerous trails that shoot off from the main one. We followed it until we got to the Old Mission Dam and then took the trail there until we got to a bridge. The flowing water, the fresh air, and the sounds of nature all combined to make this a terrific morning outside. Parking is free, and there are restrooms at the visitor center. We'll definitely be back.

my fav hiking spot! If you want a good challenge you should try the climber loop trail. it's never packed with people so it is a very enjoyable hike or walk to the dam.

Love mission trails. So many trails for all ages and all abilities. I also bring my class here every year on a field trip and they love the visitors center and the hike is fun and educational.

*not good for little babies, strollers and old dogs who don't workout often! Brought my 9-month old daughter and my 9-year-old huskey mix here. Some of the trails are spacious enough for a stroller, but be prepared for steep hills and rocky roads. Fortunately we have a Nuna stroller which has great sturdy wheels, but man, when you walk back up the mountain, you will get a great sweat on!! My 9 year old dog isn't used to hills and these were super steep. We had to cut our hike short because she started having leg spasms :( Other than that, this is a great hike if you're looking for a good workout with incline. You can hear the water flowing in the creeks nearby. Super pretty and serene. I think we heard a mountain lion while hiking too.

Such a great place to go out in nature!! Whether you're looking for a nice easy walk on a paved road or a more intense hike, Mission Trails has it all! I love bringing my dog here, even though she gets exhausted in just the first few minutes! It's a populated road that I walked to the visitor's center, but there are tons of trails to take depending on where you're looking to go. A great place to bring your dogs along or the whole family!

I have been here countless times on foot, but too focused to exercise and not to take any pictures at the time, even brought my dog along with me, now I switched to biking, and had tried 2 different bikes on this trail, the regular bike suffered a huge amount, but when I used my mountain bike, it was a huge difference, I was in the zone for an hour and a half, it is a good beginner trail with a lot of shades and nature, perfect for a quick run work out.

Mission Trails hosted a (complimentary) field trip for my daughter's preschool class. From learning about the local food chain to spotting the various wildflowers recent rains have brought us, it was stellar experience. With little kiddos, we stuck close to the visitors center and spent our intro time and lunch time at the "stones steps" which offer a relaxing view away from the busy center patio but is still near to the parking lot and restrooms. We did the toddler version of the trails (aka, very short and in a circle) and ended up back as the museum side where there was a few opportunities for the kids to color or view replicas (or stuffed) version of wildlife and got to see a little movie about the area. Special thanks to the staff for being generous with their time and efforts - a great space for families and more adventurous folks with over 60 miles of trails in all. I recommend this while the marine layer is still in effect or in early mornings and evenings as there is not a ton of shade.

This is a nice park with baseball fields, grass to sit and relax on, benches to sit on near the lake, boats you can rent, and a paved walking trail around the lake here. It's a beautiful place. There are wheelchair accessible portable toilets here (porta-potties), but spaced out far around the lake. It feels like a pretty safe area during the daytime as there are people walking, fishing, reading, playing baseball, but still best to always watch your surroundings. Bring a sunhat, sunblock, and sunglasses because there isn't a huge amount of shade on the paved walking path, and not every bench has shade above it. I saw lots of lizards, birds, and butterflies here. Definitely a place I'd visit again!

Amazing hike to come and clear your mind it's so peaceful, love the noise of birds chirping.

Such an awesome recreational area! I used to go hiking all the different trails in Mission Trails, like the 5 peaks. Then I tried outdoor rock climbing with friends. Now with an infant, trail hiking is more difficult but we were still able to get some steps in off the Father Junipero Serra Trail! Paved and very stroller and dog friendly. Parking available right outside the visitor center as well as the roads.

America's Finest City deserves America's Finest City Park. If Mission Trails Regional Park isn't it, it comes close. (Of course, Balboa Park is in the running, too.) I feel humbled to be the Duke (as of this writing). I definitely need to get out more and take advantage of all that MTRP has to offer. I've never even checked out the Visitor Center. I just found out that it can be rented for after-hours events. If you're planning one, invite me (I can perform weddings!) MTRP has so many great hiking trails with awesome scenery. Here's the Five Peak Challenge that some maniacs regularly tackle all in one day. I'll do it (when I get around to it): https://mtrp.org/5-peak-challenge/ Here's the Events Calendar: https://mtrp.org/events/ The California Native Plant Society hosts a plant sale: https://mtrp.org/plantsale/ Don't forget about the campgrounds here, too. OK, that should keep you busy for a while. Please leash your dogs and be respectful to all. MTRP is one more reason why I feel lucky to be a San Diegan. See you on the trails.

Such a beautiful and well maintained place to come and visit. These trails suck you in and make you forget about the hustle and bustle of every day life. The information center is a great resource for educating yourself on the history and culture of the area. Bathrooms are always clean and comfortable. Trails are well maintained.

I enjoy the opportunity that Mission Trails Regional Park offers to step back in time and view San Diego as it looked to the indigenous Kumeyaay people before Europeans arrived in 1542.  The park has nearly 65 miles of trails over 8,000 acres of recreational areas for hiking and mountain biking.  It is part of the City of San Diego Park System, and a great example of why the System is one of the finest in the United States. Before exploring the Park for the first time, I strongly suggest a visit to the Visitor and Interpretive Center just inside the main entrance here. You'll learn about the history of the area, flora and fauna, trails, and activities in the Park.

I had a wonderful guided hike experience. A great desert-like landscape and canyons with streams and the Old Mission Dam. Many adults and moms with young children out and about for fresh air. I noticed some mountain scramblers reaching for the summit. Numerous paths for different levels with more than 8,000 acres of both rugged natural and developed recreational areas. The paved road is shared with a one-way drive through traffic from the visitor center to the dam. Not far into the trail a coyote ran across the path. Parking lots available or many parked off the side of Junipiero Road. Mission Trails Regional Park has been called the third Jewel in the City of San Diego Park System, and after today I can understand why. You should bring extra drinking water just in case. The trails are not marked except for some intersection signage. In Jan. 2021 the streams had a good flow from all the rain, and can get slippery on the rocks. For history buffs there is information on the indigenous people.

A huge natural area of some 8,000 acres located in the middle of San Diego. We arrived on a warm sunny Friday and after getting some advice from the helpful volunteer (Jen), set out on the visitors center loop trail. It took about 90 minutes on this largely Sandy trail that meandered through the shrubs. There's not much shade so be sure to top off your water bottle before you head out. The visitors center is really big and very nice with a small gift shop, bathrooms and places to get water. There are a ton of other trails of varying lengths so with the right preparation it's a great place for hiking and exploring.

I was excited to go out to Mission trails now that the weather has cooled off. I joined a friend and her dog and we lost walked along the Junipero Serra Trail and enjoy the sound of the rushing water and the yellow leaves on the sycamore trees and the snow coming off the bushes. It was very brisk even at 10 in the morning if you were in the shade and everyone was wearing their warm jacket. After my friend left with her dog I hiked around close to the river because I enjoy being next to the water it's very soothing to my soul. I was so happy to see so much water after the dry season that he's had. I enjoyed myself tremendously as I always do here. This is a very special place in a very sacred place and there's plenty of room for everyone.Even when it's crowded you can find a place to be solitary. Come and enjoy being out in nature at Mission trails. It will boost your spirits!

We went to the dam trail and the walk there was super nice. It was not too strenuous and we basically just followed the paved road until we got to the dam. We got there around 9am ish so the way there the weather was perfect but around 12 pm it started to get really hot so I would recommend coming here early. We did not explore the other trails but this definitely is a nice,easy dog friendly hike.

This is one of my favorite places to take my friends when they visit from out of town. With so many routes/trails to pick from and a great community environment, a hiker of almost any level can enjoy themselves. I would say there are difficult trails but as someone who doesn't hike very often but stays relatively fit, they seemed more moderate. Then again, I was cursing up and down the steep parts in the beginning.... Best time to go is sunrise-9AM. It gets hot and crowded after 10AM... Not sure if biking is allowed but there are many dogs, bikers and kids on these trails so just watch out! ‍

We have come here a Few Times. Last Year. This Year. Showers are great. Nice staff. Quiet and peaceful. Enjoying making Family Memories. Fire. Had good Food there we brought We went around the Lake My Husband pushed me in a Wheelchair for a little and it's fun exploring. Nice Quiet and Peaceful place to kick back and enjoy.

My favorite hiking spot in San Diego. Also offers a nice visitor center. Various trails of different lengths and skill levels. On a clear day can see out to Coronado Islands and SDSU.

OH BET we came prepared for the nature - fanny pack, sunblock, water & all. She's prepared as you should be also.....for a day filled with spectacular scenery & maybe even see a spOoky creature like a bat, tarantula or snake (we must not forget these lil' fellas live here) perf accent for that Halloween month ~BOo! Can I suggest: Entering thru the quieter side from the visitors trail (Jackson/Mission Gorge parking lot) - the 0.3 mile path lined with bushes, trees & brush galore will get you to your destination. Just follow the yellow dirt road..... Upon arriving...greeted with lush vibrant greenery landscape, I heard the voices: A Blackbird, high on a tree branch, hurled melodic fragments through the air. A Black-capped Chickadee or perhaps nightingale whistled crescendos from one of the Hawthorns. Oh and we must not forget the gnatcatcher bird, the hymn sounds like a "meowing" cat tbh. The blossoms scented the air, filling it with sweetness so good I could almost taste it, clearly I was getting hungry. The best part: the blazing sun filled the sky with light. The air was "October" like: crisp & hot @ the same time. It was a call to become fully alive.... My friends - Nature can be a place where we can sit and reflect on life's meaning - away from distractions and demands of our regular lives. Turn off your phones (unless taking photos for yelp of course lol) & be ONE with your surroundings. Xo

Lovely place!! You can park in their lots or the entry streets and walk on a paved path about 1.5 miles in! There are many trails with markers off the paved path. Seems there are multiple entrances. The visitor center seems to still be closed but their are paper maps available (or online pdf on their site). Overall very nice place, little upset I hadn't visited sooner!

A group of us met at the Visitor Center over the holiday weekend to do a hike in this park. We chose the South Fortuna Trail on the inbound portion and the Fortuna Saddle Trail Loop on the return segment. I had done this trek almost two years ago by myself and knew it was going to provide a solid cardio circuit for a few hours that morning. The weather was great with a high temperature in the mid to upper 70s. The parking lot closest to the Visitor Center was not full, however the roadside spots near the trailhead were much more occupied from folks who had began their journey earlier in the day before the park gates opened at 8 am. The flight of "stairs" which led up to the peak of South Fortuna definitely made everyone in our group breathe a little heavier with multiple rest stops needed. I noticed folks were much chattier during the flat parts of the trail, but silence ensued once we were scaling up the slope. The summit marker at the top of South Fortuna had been replaced with a modern monument. It was just a simple brown sign with white lettering to indicate the elevation point the last time I came here. The descent began in earnest after we reached the saddleback which was basically a junction of cross trails between South Fortuna and its sister peak, North Fortuna. The map took us down a path which was well suited for mountain biking as you could see the banking around the curves while descending. By the time we finished, the loop covered a little over six miles in three hours.

If you are looking for a hard intense hike, this is it! Very inclined, steps to the top, and hope for an amazing butt the whole way lol. About 4.5 miles total. And 5 peaks to choose from! Try it out!

Great place to get outdoors and enjoy the day! Hike to the dam was nice and peaceful. Well Kept park!

We love going for hikes at mission trails! My kids love the different hikes and all there is to see out there. They also like the visitor center which has free activities for them, videos and education on fires, wildlife and the cycle of rain. It's a go to weekend adventure for us.

I use this area a lot for work. The park offers hiking trails for beginners to advanced (ie. individuals not in great shape to those who exercise regularly). There is a nice visitor center that offers information about the park that is staffed by some very friendly volunteers. Make sure to use the restrooms at the visitor center as there aren't many other "comfortable" opportunities once you leave and enter the park. Also have a water bottle handy as their aren't water fountains readily available. The rock climbing area is fun and offers some great views of the park from above. No indoor, fake rocks here. This is the real deal! Keep on Yelp'n!

Absolute gem of East county for any hikers, trail runners, bird watchers, of nature enthusiasts. Ranges from easy nature walks to steep, difficult hikes like Kwaay Paay and Fortuna. There is also a dam, waterfall, giant oak tree, and regular wildlife sightings. Have been hiking here for years and still have yet to see it all!

A great San Diego trail system that's best experienced midweek. On any given weekend thousands of people descend into this park to hike, walk their dogs, or just take in some nature. At times however, it seems like Mission Trails is more like a popular National Park with the crowds and the problems that sometimes comes with them. My biggest pet peeves is the number of hikers that blast profane rap music on bluetooth speakers while hiking. For whatever reason, maybe the proximity to SDSU, this is the the worst place to hike in San Diego if you're looking to hear nature. Your best bet is to come on weekdays, or very early on weekends. Whatever you do, don't miss their very nice Visitor Center. I've been to many visitor centers over the years and this was one of the better ones, plus it's free! Trail Recommendation - The Oak Canyon Trail is a fun, family-friendly hike, especially during early Spring or after a few days of rain. Your kids can play around in the creek and the waterfalls for hours. There are also plenty of wildflowers to go around. As an added bonus you get to check out the Old Mission Dam as it's located at the Oak Canyon trailhead. Tips - If at all possible avoid hiking Cowels Mountain. Way too crowded, rude hikers, all switchbacks.. - The best parking is in Santee, in the "Mission Trail Parking Lot". There is also plenty of street parking all the way to the Old Mission Dam. - If you've hiked all of the trails here, Mission Trails also manages a little known park in Poway called Sycamore West... https://mtrp.org/west-sycamore/

Great place to enjoy a scenic lake and take a leisurely stroll. Very easy hike, flat, no hills, and it loops around. Lots of parking, free lot as you enter go to the left, or park across the street in the trail head parking, and parking is available along street as well. Enter the trail head and be sure to read the information and rules, see pics. Lots of educational facts about area and wildlife. Nice picnic table area with a charcoal grill (bring your own charcoal). The trail loops around the lake. The water is low, but there are still beautiful views at different spots. Lots of birds. Benches are placed all around the loop so you can relax and just enjoy nature. No swimming or wading. Dogs are allowed. Kid friendly, one part with larger stone gravel may be a challenge for strollers. Bathrooms and showers. Enjoy!

It's a 2 minute walk from my front door to hit the trails... I'm very fortunate. Be careful of the bikers they like to go faaast

Love hiking here! So many great trails of various difficulties. It's so much fun to explore and get a good workout in while doing it. Some trails are even easy enough for small children. Lots of informative signs about the area as well, especially throughout Grassland Loop.

Lots of trails to choose from! Definitely come early morning as it gets very hot as the trails don't have shade. Bring lots of water! There are a few parking areas but can get crowded at peak hours. The path is mostly dirt and rocks so I would wear hiking shoes.

Hiked Sycott Valley / Rim Trail (loop trail) on Fortuna - Saddle trail via Mission Trail head located on Colina Dorada Dr (residential area). Location is easy to get to and plenty of parking. Approx distance is 4.7 miles, but there are a lot of side trails you can go on. We arrived early (7am) and was able to find parking close to the trail head entrance. Warning: construction in progress, some parts of the trail are closed off. The trail itself is doesn't offer much shade, so sun screen and plenty of water is a must. Trail is not the prettiest, but then again, I haven't been in the spring/sumner. Dress in layers, wear comfortable hiking shoes/boots. There are a few steep inclines that are pretty rocky, so watch your step. Be prepared to share the trail with mountain bikers, especially on the rim trail. Good hike overall, will get your heart pumping for sure!

So beautiful! Perfect place for nature walkers, runners, hikers, and mountain climbers. The topography is very much California with shrubs, desert like flowers, and beautiful mountain vistas. The best thing is that there is always a way to challenge yourself here. Good for all ages, plus a good part of the trial is paved which might be a good opinion for those is wheelchairs, small children or limited mobility to still enjoy the trial. The visitor center provides tour and learning experiences as well. Cons: Parkin can be difficult depending on time of day season.

This visitors center and location is the best in San Diego. I've been taking my kids to this visitors center their entire lives and it never disappoints. The trails are perfect for hiking or biking, there is a road through the park and there is another side with more areas. The dam and bridge are beautiful. My only complaint is that during covid they closed the road and we all loved it because the kids could safely ride bikes. Now they've reopened the road and it's so crowded on the pedestrian side. People drive way too fast through the park.

I love this place! Very scenic with the sound of the San Diego River running parallel to it. Great location for bike rides on the paved path going from the Dam to the Visitor Center. Or go off the paved path and hike on one of the many trails. I like that there are signs at each trail path that lets you know the difficulty level of each. Lots of free parking inside but be mindful of the times posted for when the gates close. I've seen cars be stuck after hours and they had to wait for the park ranger to come and let them out. Good place to bring your furry friends too. Come out and enjoy the best of Mother Nature.

Great hike to South and North Fortuna. Bring water, avoid doing this hike in summer or hot days.

Fun for all ages... hikes range from easy to difficult. You can do the 5 peaks challenge, you can take trails from Tierrasanta down to Santee.. Mission trails dam is probably the best place to start and just go from there, it takes you to the grassland loop and oak Canyon which also lead to more difficult trails. It is very peaceful and picturesque especially when there is water running through the San Diego River. I've see coyotes, snakes, birds including two roadrunners on the grassland loop trail.

So many trails in one regional park! They offer categories from easy, moderate to difficult a little something for everyone. The shortest trail is 1 mile round trip minimal elevation gains. Longest 7.1 round trip elevation 1932'. I've been on a few of these trails and I can say each one is nicely maintained. Mother Nature has her way with some of the trails but the signs are easy to follow and read. I took father Junipero Serra trail today to get to the Kwaay Paay trailhead. The road was well maintained and all the trailheads were clearly marked. They offer bathrooms all along the way and trash cans. The visitor center is very nice if you have a chance to stop by there to look around. There are several trails in this area you can all very short. Fortuna region has about 12 trails and Cowles region 6 trails. It's a great way to get outside! Walking, running, hiking you can do it all on these trails. I've seen a ton of people bring their kids and pets. Just adhere to the heat warnings please. Bring water and sun shade. Most of these trails do not offer much shade. Have fun and enjoy the outdoors!

Great-but busy- place for a hike. The "easy" visitors center trail (1.5 mile Loop) has a butt kicking hill if you go up that last, which made it just enough so that it wore out my dog- he was ready for water, AC and a nap. We actually combined two of the easy loop trails into one, and made it a bigger trail. People all had good control of their dogs (some dogs ruder than others) and even though it was crazy busy, it was a nice enough place that I will come back, maybe a little earlier in the day, and do it again. The visitor area and amphitheater was extremely nicely maintained and the whole park just seems well managed- which is probably why it's so busy. I can't wait to try some of the harder stuff and work on the 5 peaks once I'm up to it!

I loved this hiking trail when I went a few days ago! Some of the trails were closed due to construction, but the open trails were nice. We climbed the South Fontaine trail and the views at the top were really stunning. It was pretty difficult, as the hike was steep and long.m and the weather was hot. Anyhow, I really enjoyed the trails here and hope to return. Be prepared with water, sunscreen, and maybe some food because you could definitely hike here for hours.

I really enjoyed it here. I didn't last very long hiking considering we heard 4 rattlesnakes and they sounded just a tad bit too close for comfort. But it's pretty, there's a bunch of different trails. Make sure to hit up the visitor center to pick up a map. The map shows all the trails and also rates it on a scale 1-3 of how difficult it is (3 being the hardest). Talk to the volunteers. We went midday so the lady volunteering there suggested the Oak Canyon Trail since it had more shade and trees there versus the open loop right by the center. We also stopped by the dam and it was really nice to walk along. Definitely worth visiting if you take a hike out here. BRING PLENTY OF WATER AND SUNBLOCK. It gets hot out there. Be prepared. :)

Absolutely a must! When I first saw the pictures, I didn't think much of it and wasn't excited about going. As soon as we got more into the hike, I loved it more and more. A lot of the hikes in San Diego are kinda brown with very little greenery. This hike had so much green and beautiful green mountains! My favorite was the sound of flowing water throughout most of the hike! I would definitely come back - parking is free and lots of it! I went on the hike that starts all the way at the end of the road when driving :)

This place rocks!! So many trails to choose from! What to do, what to do!! Easy, hard, moderate....it is all up to you. There is about 60 miles of trails at this urban park. If it is your first time here, then I suggest dropping by their visitor center. It is a state-of-the-art visitor and interpretative center. Seriously, it is more impressive than even National Park visitor centers! Makes for a great starting point. Plenty of information available to help you decide what to do. Mission Trails Regional Park is only about 8 miles away from downtown San Diego. Great location! We spent several fun filled hours here. Highly recommend the Oak Canyon Trail! Very scenic and a good cardio workout hike. We look forward to coming here on future visits to the San Diego area. We plan to complete the 5 Peak Challenge!! So far, we have completed one of the peaks (South Fortuna)! We'll be back to finish the rest!!

One of my favorite spots to bring my clients to for photoshoot! The sunsets here make the grass glow with beautiful bronze light and it looks simply magical! photos by By The Free, LLC in San Diego. www.instagram.com/bythefree and www.bythefre.com

Pleasantly surprised by this hike and all the greenery/scenery it had to offer! Conveniently located in the heart of SD, you easily can grab bomb breakfast before and yummy lunch after. Be sure to grab a map at the beginning of the trail! There's lots of different routes you can take. My friends and I parked at the visitor center, walked the fire road to the Old Dam South Fourtuna Kaaway Summit Loop Trail and completed a 7 mile hike. The hike was mostly moderate with one KILLER climb. Also, due to the recent rains we got to complete one river crossing. Highly recommend; definitely worth the drive from OC.

This is such a fun place to visit. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the plants, the mountains and the wildlife. We had a really good time visiting with them and watching the movie. Highly recommend it for kids!