01
Best overall pick
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park
Riverside – Box Springs Foothills • Wild Canyon Preserve With Singletrack And Ridgeline Views • Local Favorite For Varied Loops
A surprisingly wild pocket of canyons and ridges just a short drive from March ARB, with enough trail options to keep regulars busy.
Sycamore Canyon is where many locals go when they want dirt under their boots without committing to a long drive. From the main nature center you can string together mellow canyon rambles or steeper ridgeline climbs with big-sky views over Riverside and Moreno Valley. Expect exposed, sun-baked slopes, spring wildflowers, and the occasional coyote or roadrunner—bring extra water and be ready to share the trail with mountain bikers.
02
Best lake-and-summit combo
Lake Perris State Recreation Area (Terri Peak & Bernasconi Hills)
Moreno Valley / Lake Perris • Lakeside State Park With Rocky Summit Trails • Best For Big Views Close To Base
Classic inland lake scenery with short but punchy climbs up rocky hillsides and wide-open views to the San Jacintos.
Just east of March ARB, Lake Perris offers some of the closest true summit-style hikes, with Terri Peak and the Bernasconi Hills rising directly above the shoreline. The trails are steep in places but relatively short, making them ideal for a pre- or post-shift outing that still feels like a real escape. Clear days bring sweeping views of the surrounding ranges, and early mornings often mean glassy water, quiet coves, and fewer crowds on the trail.
03
Best workout climb
Box Springs Mountain Reserve Park
Between Riverside And Moreno Valley • Steep Chaparral Foothill Park • Best For Serious Elevation Gain
A rugged climb straight into the foothills with multiple steep routes that reward you with far-reaching views over the Inland Empire.
Box Springs Mountain looms just north of the base and delivers a no-nonsense climb right from the outskirts of town. Trails like the Two Trees or Spring Trail tackle the mountain head-on, gaining elevation quickly through sun-exposed chaparral and boulder gardens. It is a favorite training hill for locals prepping for bigger peaks, so expect huff-and-puff grades, strong breezes up high, and a real sense of accomplishment at the antennas-studded summit ridgeline.
04
Most iconic urban hike
Mount Rubidoux Park
Downtown Riverside • Iconic Paved Summit Walk • Best For Beginners And Sunset Strolls
A short, mostly paved loop to a historic summit cross and flag, offering skyline views without needing full trail gear.
Mount Rubidoux is Riverside’s signature hike: accessible, family-friendly, and packed with local history. The gently graded paved path winds past historic bridges and up to a rocky summit crowned with a cross, stone tower, and wide viewpoints over the city and Santa Ana River. It is a go-to for casual walkers, runners, and visiting friends—aim for sunrise or golden hour for cooler temps and the best photos, and expect company on the way up.
05
Best weekend nature escape
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
West Of Murrieta • Rolling Oak-Studded Plateau Preserve • Best For Quiet, Scenic Half-Day Hikes
Wide, rolling trails through grasslands, oaks, and seasonal vernal pools that feel a world away from the freeway.
A bit farther from March ARB but worth the drive, Santa Rosa Plateau offers some of the most peaceful hiking in southwest Riverside County. The well-signed trail network winds through open meadows, shady oak woodlands, and, in wetter years, vernal pools that attract birds and wildflowers. It is an easy place to build a relaxed half-day loop, slow your pace, and trade jet noise for the sound of wind in the grass and woodpeckers tapping in the trees.