Best Backpacking Destinations in Riverside, California, United States
1. Santa Ana River Trail
42-mile trail follows the Santa Ana River, offering scenic views and wildlife sightings. Great for day hikes or backpacking overnight trips.
- Length: Extensive trail suitable for long-distance hiking
- Wildlife Sightings: Opportunities to observe local wildlife, including birds and reptiles
- Accessibility: Easy accessibility from Riverside with multiple entry points along the trail
2. Mt. San Jacinto State Park
Home to the highest peak in Southern California, offering a variety of hiking trails and stunning mountain views.
- Highest Peak: Summiting the tallest peak in Southern California for breathtaking vistas
- Variety of Trails: Diverse hiking options catering to different skill levels and preferences
- Mountain Wilderness: Immersive mountain wilderness experience away from urban environments
3. Orange County Coastal Vineyards Trail
Hiking trail that passes through vineyards and coastal bluffs, offering scenic vistas of the Pacific Ocean.
- Scenic Vistas: Panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and coastal cliffs
- Wine Tasting Stops: Opportunities to sample local wines at nearby vineyards
- Coastal Wildlife: Encountering marine life and coastal birds along the trail
4. Box Canyon Falls
Hidden gem with a stunning waterfall and hiking trails through scenic canyons.
- Waterfall: Visiting the picturesque Box Canyon Falls
- Hiking Trails: Exploring scenic canyons and diverse ecosystems on hiking trails
- Privacy: Escape the crowds and discover a peaceful, secluded destination
5. Palm Desert Area Trails
Desert trails in the Coachella Valley featuring Joshua Tree National Park and Pioneertown.
- Joshua Trees: Experiencing the unique beauty of the Joshua trees
- Diverse Ecosystems: Exploring diverse desert ecosystems, including sand dunes and rock formations
- Pioneertown: Visiting the historic western-themed town of Pioneertown for dining and entertainment
6. San Gorgonio Wilderness
High-elevation wilderness area offering challenging hikes with stunning mountain vistas.
- Challenging Hikes: Tackling challenging hikes for experienced backpackers
- High Elevation: Experiencing high-elevation environments and cooler temperatures
- Stunning Mountain Vistas: Enjoying breathtaking vistas from mountain peaks
7. Laguna Beach Trails
Coastal trails offering scenic ocean views, coves, and tide pools.
- Scenic Ocean Views: Beholding panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean
- Coves and Tide Pools: Exploring coves, rocky outcroppings, and tide pools teeming with marine life
- Art Galleries and Shops: Visiting art galleries and unique shops in the charming town of Laguna Beach
8. San Bernardino National Forest
Sprawling forest featuring hiking trails, camping sites, and alpine lakes.
- Hiking Trails: Exploring numerous hiking trails through diverse ecosystems
- Camping Sites: Choosing from a variety of campgrounds for overnight stays
- Alpine Lakes: Visiting pristine alpine lakes surrounded by mountain scenery
9. Cleveland National Forest
Forest featuring hiking trails, waterfalls, and ancient rock formations.
- Hiking Trails: Exploring a variety of hiking trails through diverse ecosystems
- Waterfalls: Visiting beautiful waterfalls like San Mateo Creek Falls
- Ancient Rock Formations: Exploring ancient rock formations, such as the Fremont Indian Petroglyphs
10. Los Angeles River Trail
Urban trail along the Los Angeles River offering a glimpse into city life and wildlife.
- Urban Scenery: Experiencing the diverse urban scenery of Los Angeles
- Wildlife Sightings: Observing local wildlife, such as birds and reptiles
- Cultural Landmarks: Visiting cultural landmarks like the Griffith Observatory and Museum of Natural History
11. Angeles National Forest
Mountainous forest featuring hiking trails, camping sites, and scenic vistas.
- Hiking Trails: Exploring numerous hiking trails through diverse ecosystems
- Camping Sites: Choosing from a variety of campgrounds for overnight stays
- Scenic Vistas: Enjoying breathtaking vistas from mountain peaks
12. Big Bear Lake Area Trails
Trails surrounding Big Bear Lake offering scenic vistas and mountain wilderness.
- Lake Views: Enjoying stunning views of Big Bear Lake
- Mountain Wilderness: Experiencing the pristine mountain wilderness surrounding Big Bear Lake
- Winter Activities: Partaking in winter activities, such as skiing and snowboarding
13. Ocean Institute Trails
Coastal trails offering marine education and wildlife sightings.
- Marine Education: Learning about marine life and conservation efforts
- Wildlife Sightings: Observing local marine wildlife, such as seals, sea lions, and dolphins
- Beaches: Relaxing on beautiful beaches after hiking the trails
14. San Diego County Trails
Coastal and desert trails offering diverse landscapes, wildlife sightings, and urban attractions.
- Diverse Landscapes: Exploring coastal, desert, and mountainous landscapes
- Wildlife Sightings: Observing local wildlife, such as bighorn sheep and condors
- Urban Attractions: Visiting urban attractions like Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo
15. Julian Area Trails
Desert trails leading to the historic mining town of Julian, offering apple pies and gold rush history.
- Historic Mining Town: Exploring the charming, historic mining town of Julian
- Apple Pies: Treating yourself to delicious apple pies made in Julian
- Gold Rush History: Learning about the gold rush history of the area