Cabrillo National Monument
4 mi west · National Park Service
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States.
Outdoors
Hiking near Coronado
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Coronado, closest first.
27places to hike
4 mito the closest
1within 30 miles
Year-roundbest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Bobcat Meadow Campground
36 mi east · USDA Forest Service
Bobcat Meadow Campground Trails 1.2 miles with trail connection options Campfires Campfires are not allowed when elevated fire restrictions are in effect. Please see our current fire restrictions page for more details.
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Within 30 miles (1)
Cabrillo National Monument
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States.
- Hiking
- History
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (19)
Cleveland National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Bobcat Meadow Campground
Bobcat Meadow Campground Trails 1.2 miles with trail connection options Campfires Campfires are not allowed when elevated fire restrictions are in effect. Please see our current fire restrictions page for more details.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Corral Canyon Campground
Corral Canyon Campground Distance 1.2 miles with connecting options Campfires Campfires are not allowed when elevated fire restrictions are in effect. Please see our current fire restrictions page for more details.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Boulder Oaks Eqst
Boulder Oaks offers equestrian and family sites in the scenic Cleveland National Forest, about an hour away from San Diego, California.
- Backpacking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Cibbets Flat Campground
25 sites.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
El Prado Group
El Prado Group Campground is a great mountain getaway just one hour east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Cultural Activities
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Information Site
Horse Heaven Group
Contrary to its name, Horse Heaven Group Campground has no equestrian sites. Instead, this tent-only facility can accommodate gatherings of up to 100 people.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Scenic Drive
- Wildlife viewing
Laguna
Laguna Campground is a great mountain getaway just one hour east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
Wooded Hill Group
Wooded Hill Group Campground is a great mountain getaway for groups of up to 110 people to take a retreat from the city.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Crestline Group Campground
Crestline Group Campground is located in a wooded area on Palomar Mountain, at approximately 5,390 feet in elevation. Many trees including Black Oak, Cedar, White Fir and Live Oak surround the site.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
Observatory Campground
Science buffs and families are drawn to Observatory Campground for its proximity to the Palomar Observatory, a world-class center of astronomy research operated by the California Institute of Technology.
- Camping
- Hiking
Cottonwood Campground
Among the live oaks in southeastern San Diego County is Cottonwood Campground. The campground offers a tranquil and refreshing experience.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Oak Grove Campground
Located on the Cleveland National Forest, Oak Grove Campground is nestled in a valley of large oak groves and manzanita. Recreation Oak Grove Trail is a short walk of 1.5 miles and is located across Rt. 79, behind the Ranger Station.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
Carrizo Gorge Wilderness
The Carrizo Gorge Wilderness now contains a total of 14,741 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Indian Flats Campground
17 sites. Pacific Crest Trail Access. No Water. The nearest water can be found at the Warner Springs Gas Station.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
Beauty Mountain Wilderness
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wilderness
Coyote Mountains Wilderness
The Coyote Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 18,630 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Jacumba Wilderness
The Jacumba Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 31,357 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Fish Creek Mountains Wilderness
The Fish Creek Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 21,388 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (7)
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1200 miles through the homelands of 70+ Tribal communities. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA.
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Santa Rosa Wilderness
The terrain within the Santa Rosa Mountains Wilderness is rugged with elevations rising dramatically from just above sea level to 7,000 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Cahuilla
Surronded by the stark beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah) is a favorite recreation area in the Coachella Valley.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
Carbon Canyon Dam
Managed by Orange County, there is no permanent pool, but varied facilities such as fishing, picnic areas, a nature trail, and tennis. The site of the historic oil boom town of Olinda. Adjoins Chino Hills State Park.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Brea Dam
The recreation facilities at this project are managed by the City of Fullerton (CA) Community Services. Golf and tennis are main attractions at this project, located among the picturesque rolling hills in the City of Fullerton.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Dos Palmas Preserve
This oasis with its hundreds of swaying fan palms offers sanctuary in the midst of the dry Colorado Desert. Pools fed by artesian springs and seepage from the nearby Coachella Canal form a lush wetland area.
- Hiking
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Mecca Hills Wilderness
The Mecca Hills Wilderness now contains a total of 26,242 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office . All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Coronado. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Coronado
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Coronado?
Cabrillo National Monument (National Park Service), about 4 miles west of Coronado as the crow flies. Next are Cleveland National Forest (33 mi) and Bobcat Meadow Campground (36 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Coronado?
Based on Coronado’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.