HomeProtected PlacesChino Hills State Park
Chino Hills State Park adventures

Chino Hills State Park Adventures

Chino Hills State Park offers expansive rolling hills and natural landscapes just outside Southern California's urban centers, making it a popular destination for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife observation.

14,173
Acres Protected
60+
Miles of Trails
Approximately 250,000
Annual Visitors
1981
Year Established

About Chino Hills State Park

 

Chino Hills State Park covers a broad area of gently rolling hills and open space within the eastern edge of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties in California. Established in 1981, it provides over 14,000 acres of preserved open space in the rapidly developing region of Southern California. The park's geography consists of grassy hills, oak woodlands, riparian corridors, and chaparral ecosystems. These diverse habitats support a wide variety of wildlife, including mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, and numerous bird species such as red-tailed hawks and California quail. Historically, the land was utilized by Native American tribes such as the Tongva and Serrano, and remnants of early ranching and agricultural use can be found within the park. Visitors enjoy more than 60 miles of trails that provide ample opportunities for day hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and primitive camping. Notable trail sections include the gently sloping Blue Sky Trail and the more challenging Overlook Trail, both offering panoramic views of the park’s hills, the Los Angeles Basin, and the San Gabriel Mountains. The park serves as an important wildlife corridor connecting larger wildlands nearby and offers urban visitors a natural refuge for outdoor recreation and education. With picnic areas, trailheads, and a small visitor center, Chino Hills State Park attracts a steady stream of outdoor enthusiasts seeking scenic open space near the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Its relative proximity to urban centers combined with diverse terrains and native plant communities makes it an appealing destination year-round.

Highlights

Highlight

Overlook Trail with panoramic views of the surrounding hills and urban skyline

Highlight

Presence of native California oak woodlands and chaparral habitats

Highlight

Historic ranching remnants reflecting early land uses in the region

Highlight

Equestrian-friendly trails and dedicated horse staging areas

Notable Natural Features

Overlook Trail

A popular moderate trail that leads to scenic viewpoints offering sweeping vistas of the park and the surrounding metropolitan areas.

Chino Hills Oak Woodlands

An important native ecosystem characterized by mature oak trees providing habitat for diverse wildlife.

Ranching History Sites

Remnants of historic ranch structures and corrals reflect the area's past agricultural uses.