Explore 500 acres of new park space at Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, which opened November 2023. Located within OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, Gypsum Canyon Wilderness features 6 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding along with two lookout points that offer sweeping views of the surrounding canyons. The area is accessible through scheduled programs with advance registration only. Available activities include Wilderness Access Days which allow for self-guided exploration at your own pace, or docent-led guided programs which take place in small groups with interpretation along the way. Parking is free and dogs are not permitted.
Gypsum Canyon Wilderness is located at 390 South Gypsum Canyon Road, Anaheim, CA.
NOW OPEN: Saddleback Wilderness.
In March 2023, OC Parks opened Saddleback Wilderness within the Irvine Ranch Open Space which includes 3.3 miles of new trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views from the mountains to the sea during monthly self-guided Wilderness Access Days or scheduled programs. Parking is free and dogs are not permitted.
Saddleback Wilderness is located at 3081 Santiago Canyon Road, Orange, CA.
Irvine Ranch Open Space
The Irvine Ranch Open Space spans nearly 25,000 acres in the Eastern Foothills of Orange County and consists of protected wildlands, including six nature preserves. Named a State and National Natural Landmark, OC Parks stewards these special lands in close coordination with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy as a land management contractor and The Nature Conservancy, a conservation organization. Various educational and recreational opportunities are available through regularly scheduled programs only. When the County received the property, it did so with strict environmental protections already in place to safeguard its rare and precious natural resources. OC Parks continues to uphold the conservation obligations inherited with the property and balances environmental stewardship efforts with robust scheduled access opportunities.
Hiking, biking and equestrian activities within Irvine Ranch Open Space are accessible through monthly self-guided Wilderness Access Days or scheduled programs. Wilderness Access allows for self-guided exploration at your own pace. Docent-led guided access takes place in small group tours with engaging interpretation of site features.
Parking is free and dogs are not permitted, except on Black Star Canyon Road.
A variety of volunteer opportunities are available within Irvine Ranch Open Space. Click here to learn more and get involved.
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