Please be aware this is a fitness hike and not for beginners; the pace is approximately a 19-minute mile.

Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 8-mile hike over very steep and uneven terrain with approximately 730 feet of elevation gain. This route begins at Aliso Creek Trail East, continues up Sheep Run and down Meadows Trail. Your hard work will be rewarded with sweeping views of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park! Please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and sun protection, and bring water.

Participants must be 16 or older. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Please review safety precautions and protocols when registering. 

For questions, call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends.

*This program begins at Canyon View Park, 22144 Canyon Vistas, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656*

Explore Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park where you might see deer, bobcats and hawks. Learn about acorn woodpeckers, the wonderful ways of woodrats and the peculiar nature of certain plants. Enjoy wildlife sounds, smells and sights on this moderate 5-mile hike on rocky terrain with less than 500 feet of elevation gain. 

Participants must be 16 or older. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

The program and parking are free. Limited street parking is available nearby.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

Inclement weather may cancel this program. 

For questions, call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends. 

Join us for a lovely morning hike along Aliso Creek, one of the best riparian birding sites in Orange County.

OC Parks staff and volunteers will lead participants on an easy 3-mile walk with 50 feet of elevation gain on uneven terrain. Travel along the creek on a dirt trail and return on a paved road while birding within the wilderness park - no experience necessary! Wear hiking or walking shoes and sun protection, and bring binoculars and water.

This program is for ages 12 and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. 

Inclement weather may cancel this program.

For questions, call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends.

Join OC Parks naturalists and bring your young ones to explore Aliso’s wild backyard. Take a leisurely stroll through the garden and creek where we will see bugs, plants and birds while exploring!

This program begins at the visitor center. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring snacks and water. Please note most of the trail is not stroller-friendly. 

The program is designed for ages 3 and younger, but all are welcome. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. 

Inclement weather may cancel this program.

As the sun begins to set, bats awaken, stir and streak into the evening sky. Come hear fascinating tales of our flying mammals at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park! 

The program will begin with story time about bats and their nighttime adventures followed by a short walk to see them start their evening hunt for insects. Be prepared to walk about a half-mile. Children may arrive 15 minutes early to take part in a bat-related craft. 

This program is for ages 6 and older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. The program begins at the picnic tables adjacent to the parking lot. 

Inclement weather may cancel this program.

For questions, call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends.

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth and make up 80% of all known species. There are more varieties of bugs than all other types of animals combined!

Join us on a family-friendly trek around Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park to learn all about these amazing animals who have perfected the art of ecological specialization. Insects may have a reputation for being icky, but they're essential pollinators needed to sustain life on our planet. Please wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection and bring snacks and water.

Participants 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. 

Inclement weather may cancel this program.

*This program begins at Canyon View Park, 22144 Canyon Vistas, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656*

Explore Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park where you might see deer, bobcats and hawks. Learn about acorn woodpeckers, the wonderful ways of woodrats and the peculiar nature of certain plants. Enjoy wildlife sounds, smells and sights on this moderate 5-mile hike on rocky terrain with less than 500 feet of elevation gain. 

Participants must be 16 or older. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

The program and parking are free. Limited street parking is available nearby.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

Inclement weather may cancel this program. 

For questions, call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends. 

*This program takes place at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens, 29042 Modjeska Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676*

The OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program encourages park guests to explore the outdoor world within OC Parks by developing a sense of belonging, becoming a part of nature and feeling empowered to be stewards of Orange County’s natural and cultural resources. 

Participants will explore Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens, complete activities and take the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Oath to earn a unique Jr. Ranger badge.

This program is designed for ages 7 to 12, but all are welcome. 

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program. Sunscreen, sturdy footwear and water are recommended.

The program and parking are free. Inclement weather will cancel the program. 

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Shelbi Richardson at shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com. Inclement weather will cancel the program.

Click here to learn more about the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program.

​​​​​​*This program begins at the James Dilley Preserve, 350 Artisan Dr., Laguna Beach, CA 92651*

Enjoy an easy 2.5-mile hike with your family at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park! Starting at the James Dilley Preserve, we will hike one of the most diverse areas of the park to Barbara’s Lake and back. The hike is moderate but includes uneven terrain and approximately 45 feet of elevation gain. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water.

Participants 18 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel the program. 

*This program begins at the James Dilley Preserve, 350 Artisan Dr., Laguna Beach, CA 92651*

Did you know California is a biodiversity hotspot? Help scientists and OC Parks naturalists document the species found in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and learn about California’s unique biodiverse flora and fauna while using iNaturalist. Participants will then go on a hike and document the species along the way! 

Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist mobile app and create an account before arriving to the program. You will choose the trail you want to hike.  

This program is for ages 7 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.    

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. 

For questions, please email shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com.

Adverse weather, including wet or muddy trail conditions, may cancel the program.