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Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
Rating Details »
28373 Alicia Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 923-2200
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 923-2200
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
A very awsome trail head in the middle of Suburbia! Whodathunk?
Anyway, this place is great for most of your land based outdoorsyneeds. I like it since it's just down the hill from me and within moments I can escape the hustle, bustle and all that other stuff that living in Orange County brings, and be at one with nature. With clothes on mind you.
Parking here is pretty easy - there's a dirt lot and a honor system to pay for the parking. If you're morally dubious, or believe in Asphaltius, the patron saint of free parking, there's curbside parking near the trail head, or in the church parking lot (wouldn't try that on Sunday though) or the nearby school on Aliso Creek (Don't think of it as being too far away, think of it as additional trail to ride!)
From the head part of the park in Laguna Niguel, there's a private access road that will take you to some of the trail heads, however there are numerous signs advising one to Keep Out, and that it is Private. But everyone rides or walks on it anyway (unless they like kicking up dirt on the side trail =P ).
The sights from this place are really great as mentioned previously, and it feels pretty well maintained.
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Of all the places to mtb in Orange County, this is probably my favorite because of convenient location, diversity of trails and reward for climbing to the top (ocean view? fuck yea!). My favorite trails are Lynx, Meadows and Rock It; the former two because they're challenging single tracks with lots of switchbacks and great views of the canyon and the latter because, well, I lived to tell about it. Seriously messed up trail. If you like rocks then this is a must-see. I wouldn't recommend Rock It without full suspension unless you want a seriously bumpy ride. Check this shit out:
Lynx
http://www.youtube.com...
Rock It
http://www.youtube.com...
I had no idea this place existed until a couple of years ago on a scavenger hunt. A friend had this course that took you all over Orange County to point out important points of interest. The stop here was to go into the tiny museum that they have to find out the name of the stuffed creature in the case, but the intent was to show you the park.
Since then I have found this place to be great to get in some time with nature. It is a very nice escape that is a lot closer than the mountains. There are trails for running, hiking, and mountain biking. There is some free parking on the street and a dirt lot for the park for a fee. I'm not sure how the church there handles people parking there and then using the park and I wouldn't risk it. If you have to pay your $3 to park in the dirt lot just do it and get some outdoor exercise in ya.
There are trails through wooded areas with a stream. As you get higher you catch amazing views of El Moro and Laguna Beach. There are a lot of signs posted to let you know what is permitted and what is banned on the various trails. As you are walking remember that there is nature around you and keep an eye on the trail. There are scats to step in if you aren't careful.
There are some great mountain biking trails for riders of all skill levels. I've seen little kids on dirt bikes riding them with their parents. Some of the trails are pretty technical, so talk to someone in the know or read about the trails somewhere like on Geoladders. Some of the trails are not meant for the novice rider, so beware. Rock-It is a pretty steep descent on (as the name indicates) rock. If you don't know what you are doing you could really take a tumble and get hurt. There was a dirt single track on the right side of Rock-It to allow for an easier trail down, but the recent rains have put a big ditch down the middle of that from drainage and it is no longer an option. And if you're hiking on them, watch out for crazy riders bombing down the hill.
Be safe and enjoy!
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Aliso Woods is a great place for mountain bikers, runners, and hikers. There are about 30 miles of trails here, with a variety of groomed paths and single-track trails. The park is open from 7 am to sunset. There is a dirt parking lot where you can park all day for $3, or you can park for free on the street in front of the church across the way. Usually all the free parking is taken, and besides, the $3 goes towards maintaining the park, so I park there anyway. Make sure you bring 3-$1 bills since the machine doesn't give out change.
I ran here with some friends on Saturday and stayed on the main, wide trail. We went out-and-back for a 10 mile run. Along the way, we passed two streams which had board across them so we didn't have to get wet. Mountain bikers can ride through them if they want to. The trails are nice and smooth, so you don't have to worry about tripping over rocks, like at Whiting Ranch. As a clumsy person like myself, this is a real bonus. On the way out, the trail is a slight uphill, so coming back is nice and easy since you get to go downhill.
The trails are scenic, and it's a nice break from pounding the pavement. I've heard that some people have spotted snakes and other animals out here, so be on alert, and never run or bike alone on trails. Safety first!
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If you need to get a decent dose of nature and get away from everything but don't want a long drive, then you need to head here. The park is a series of really well maintained trails and interpretive signs, giving a history of the area from the Native American period and also a heads up on what critters to watch out for, like rattle snakes and coyotes.
The location is stunning, with a view of the valleys of Laguna and the ocean on your one side and then a view of Irvine and Big Bear on the other. The elevation is high and even on a hazy day the scenery is spectacular. There are a series of trails you can select that span from easy to more advanced and everything is well marked. The people that go to this park are very friendly and courteous, and they range from the young mountain bikers to small families. I like it because even though it is a well-used park, you never feel like the trails are crowded - it's just you and nature.
I access this park by going into Laguna Beach and turning onto Legion street off PCH. Follow Legion straight on, keeping to the right until you pass the school. Then hang a left towards the hills and wind up that road until you get to the end and then make another left and park on the street or in the parking lot - it is all free up here. They also have a small park with picnic tables so you can also bring a packed lunch and spend a leisurely day enjoying the phenomenal scenery. Enjoy!
