Night Hike & Legends at Black Star Canyon in Orange County

Just beyond the glow of the city lies a dark place where nocturnal creatures and lost souls seek refuge.

Duration

Approximately 3 hours

About

East of Old Town Orange, a rural road winds past rolling foothills en route to the Santa Ana Mountains where the infamous Black Star Canyon awaits curious visitors. After dark, wander up this hiker’s paradise past fragrant shrubland and oak woodland. Cross a bridge over an intermittent creek. Listen for frogs, owls, voices, footsteps and other unseen nocturnal activities. Learn tragic tales of Spanish soldiers, Indigenous people, mountain men, homesteaders, miners, ranchers, banditos and grizzly bears who may still haunt this ancient landscape. Look for toads, snakes, tarantulas, trapdoor spiders, burrowing scorpions and glowworms. In partnership with Naturalist For You, join naturalist, storyteller and local historian Joel Robinson on this 3-hour, 3-mile hiking tour and investigate the natural history, rumors and mysteries of this legendary canyon. Haunted Orange County strongly recommends sturdy comfortable shoes.

Meeting Location

Black Star Canyon Trailhead 13333

The trail begins at the Black Star Canyon Trailhead 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd. From Santiago Canyon Road, take Silverado Canyon Road. The first left is Black Star Canyon. This road ends at a gate.

Parking

There is ample free parking along the sides of the road.

NOTE: Park at your own risk. Black Star Canyon is a remote area and your vehicles are not supervised.

Attendee Requirements

This tour is available only to participants 18 years and older.

Dogs and pets not permitted

Start Time & Duration

Tours begin promptly at the advertised start time and run approximately 3 hours

DO NOT ARRIVE LATE. Please allow extra time for unforeseen heavy traffic or parking delays. We are not responsible for late arrivals or guest who show up at the wrong tour departure location.

Important Info

Under no circumstances are tickets refundable or transferable to other dates.

This is a moderate walk with some uneven footing and attendees should be in reasonable health to attend. Not recommended for guests with mobility issues. Night time temperature in the canyon can vary as much as 20 degrees cooler than the city, so we recommend that you dress in layers especially in the fall or winter months.

Restrooms are not readily available once the tour begins.

We do not permit smoking or vaping on our tours. Guests who arrive under the influence or become disruptive will not be allowed to tour.