Gentle nature trail winding through ancient oak trees and rolling winter grasslands

Outdoors

Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve: Oak Woodland & Vernal Pool Family Nature Trails

Visit on your scheduleTrails open daily sunrise to sunset; Visitor Center open Tuesday–Sunday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed Mondays)

Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve Visitor Center & Trails39400 Clinton Keith Rd, Murrieta, CA 92562 · 31.8 mi approx. from RiversideDirections

All ages; wide gentle trails ideal for families and jogging strollers; interactive exhibits at Visitor Center

From $4$4 adults; $3 children (ages 2–12); children under 2 free; pay at trailhead iron rangers or Visitor Center

About this adventure

Perched at the southern end of the Santa Ana Mountains near Murrieta, the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve encompasses 9,000 acres of rare oak woodlands, rolling native bunchgrass prairies, and seasonal vernal pools. Winter brings cooling rains that fill the volcanic rock basins, awakening endemic fairy shrimp and transforming the plateau into vibrant green hillsides. Families can walk the gentle 1.5-mile Hidden Valley Trail or explore the Los Santos Trail leading to the historic Moreno and Machado adobes built in 1846—Riverside County's oldest standing structures. Wide, compacted gravel and dirt paths accommodate rugged jogging strollers, and the newly renovated Visitor Center features interactive taxidermy exhibits, discovery touch-tables, and children's nature activity backpacks.

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