Mission Trails Regional Park

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.

I absolutely enjoy this trail. There are numerous smaller trails to explore, offering a unique experience each visit. This time of year is especially beautiful with many flowers in bloom, and the weather is pleasantly mild.

We had an amazing time hiking at this park right after a winter rain. We did the longer loop and the trail was moderate in difficulty. It was a very nice workout. This spot is pretty popular, so we would advise to come a little earlier in the morning.

Great and varied hikes in all directions. Make sure you know how to use a map/orient yourself! The trails are well marked but they branch out very often. You can do easy hikes, hard hikes, the possibilities are near endless

The hike was great! It's not too long (around 1.5 miles), and didn't require too much effort. You'll certainly sweat! But it wasn't overly difficult. The path was busy toward the bottom, but it thinned out as we got loser to the top. We got up and down in less than an hour and 15 minutes. You could do it in a much shorter time if you run any part of the trail.

Love camping here. I always feel safe and the campgrounds are clean with the bathrooms and showers they provide for weekend campers.

We love these trails. The walk to the water is very peaceful. It's an easy walk and so beautiful

This is a great place to hike and see nature. There are lots of birds and reptiles so be aware. The snake I took a picture of is a small garter snake and is harmless. There's a paved road you can hike on or multiple trails most of which are well maintained. Difficulty ratings are posted at the trail heads.

My sunset hike at Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails Regional Park was an unforgettable experience, largely due to the dedication and care demonstrated by the park rangers. Their passion for nature, commitment to conservation, and unwavering support for visitors elevated the journey beyond just a hike. As a nature lover, I am grateful for the efforts of these unsung heroes who work diligently behind the scenes to protect and preserve this natural wonder for future generations to enjoy.

Wonderful and easy hike on pavement. Great for dogs, and anyone at any skill level. I commented on how accessible it would be for someone with mobility issues. Yet, you’re literally walking through a beautiful brush desert and get to see the historical Old Mission Dam. Very slight elevation changes. No large hills or drop-offs. Highly recommended!

This area is a such a beautiful little pocket of hills and streams. I didn’t intend on going for a quick walk/hike, but when I drove down the 52 and saw how lush the hills looked, I just couldn’t ignore it. California becomes something else after a long spell of rain and I only wish we could keep getting the same amount every year. Depending on the trails you choose, most are relatively easy and good for all ages.

One of my new favorite hike spots in San Diego! Beautiful, scenic land, great nature walk/hike. Gorgeous wild flowers, purple wheat grass, and serene river stone beds. Dog friendly but must be kept on leash. Peaceful, and large lands. Its a perfect place to spend time in nature.

Highly recommend coming multiple times rain or shine, day/sunset/night to experience the true natural beauty. Lively towards the beginning / but quiet once you find your exploring spots. I recommend going after morning crowd. FYI the gate closes at sundown so don’t get your car stuck there, but do explore into the night. I lived in that neighborhood so Kway Paay Peak is my backyard! Night walks are my favorite here down the road where no cars drive toward Oak Canyon!

This park is absolutely fantastic!! Everything at Mission Trails Regional Park is free and It's Visitor Center and exhibits are state of the art and well thought out ! We learned about the geology, plants, animals, and history of the area and it was extremely children friendly!! All of the exhibits in the Visitor Center are set up for any age to enjoy and our 4 year old Granddaughter was able to enjoy all of them. I especially loved seeing the plants, which were clearly labeled located around the area as well as listening to all the sound exhibits of the animals in the area. The park has many trails for all levels of hiking and we were able to have a wonderful hiking experience, also kid friendly. We were also able to view cliff climbers through the free telescopes!!. The staff in the Visitor center was friendly and helpful. I would give this park 10 stars if I could, a great family friendly place!!

Mission trails is one of our favorite places to go hiking or just get outside. There are so many trails here of varying difficulties and inclines - something for everyone. The visitor's center itself is like a small museum with lots to see/read. Does get very hot in the summer especially as there isn't a whole lot of tree cover in some areas.

We went after the most recent wet season this winter. San Diego had such heavy rains. The cascades and creeks were all active, wildlife was teeming, and the cruel "witches hair" was nowhere to be seen ❤❤❤

Highly recommend the Visitor’s Loop Trail for kids and people who can’t do long hikes. The Five Peaks Challenge is great and all five peaks have multiple routes to the top. Go after a long period of rain so the water is flowing in different areas—makes for some beautiful scenes. I like to park over by the dam and enter that way (entrance is closer to Santee).

Love this park. There is something for everyone here! Tons of small or large hikes. The visitor center is beautiful, interactive, and clean with restrooms and a gift shop. Multiple peaks allow you to gain some perspective on the surrounding area. Also lots of spots for bouldering or tie-in for top rope or sport climbing.

Lots of hikes you can do. The trails are all labeled. Bring water with you, there is not a lot of shade. We did not see any rattle snakes, but it's a big area, so they're probably around. Also take sunscreen. There are a couple of decent sized parking lots including an overflow lot, so you hopefully will not have trouble parking. It was a blast.

Recently did the oak canyon loop, perfect cool, misty day for it. This place has tons of easy, family friendly hikes as well as more technical hikes. This is one of my favorite places in San Diego and a great area to bring people. My dog loves it here!