01
Best overall pick
Wind Wolves Preserve
San Emigdio Mountains Southwest Of Old River • Expansive Private Nature Preserve With Signed Trails • Best Mix Of Views And Wildlife
A huge, scenic preserve with rolling grasslands, oak-dotted hills, and canyon trails that feel worlds away from the valley floor.
Wind Wolves is where locals go when they want a real hike without committing to a full mountain expedition. Trails like San Emigdio Canyon and Tule Elk View offer everything from gentle creekside walking to longer climbs with big panoramas and spring wildflowers. Start early in warm months and plan time to linger at overlooks—you’ll usually spot hawks, elk, or at least a few curious lizards along the way.
02
Closest after-work hike
Panorama Vista Preserve
Northeast Bakersfield Bluff Above The Kern River • Urban-Edge Nature Preserve With River And City Views • Best For Quick Sunrise Or Sunset Loops
A network of mellow dirt paths along the river bluffs, ideal when you want a real trail feel without leaving town behind.
Panorama Vista is all about easy access and big-sky views over the Kern River and the city beyond. The intertwined loop trails make it simple to tailor your walk to the time you have—short, flat circuits or slightly longer rambles down toward the river corridor. It’s especially good in the cooler shoulder seasons, when you can watch the light change over the bluffs and still make it home for dinner.
03
Best river day outing
Hart Memorial Park & Kern River Canyon Trails
Kern River Canyon Northeast Of Bakersfield • Riverfront Paths And Steeper Canyon Hikes • Best For Picnic-And-Hike Days
A classic Kern County combo: shady riverside strolling in the park with the option to push into steeper canyon trails nearby.
Hart Park itself offers relaxed walking along the water, with plenty of spots to throw down a blanket or fire up a post-hike barbecue. If you want more effort, head a bit farther into the canyon for steeper singletrack that climbs away from the river for sweeping views of the rugged hillsides. It’s a flexible area that works whether you’re introducing new hikers to the outdoors or sneaking in some elevation on a weekend morning.
04
Most memorable day trip
Trail of 100 Giants
Giant Sequoia National Monument, Greenhorn Mountains • Paved And Packed-Dirt Loop Through Old-Growth Sequoias • Most Iconic Day Trip From Old River
A short, mostly easy loop that delivers towering giant sequoias, cool mountain air, and the kind of scenery that justifies the drive.
When you’re ready to trade farmland and foothills for true mountain forest, the Trail of 100 Giants is the payoff. The loop itself is family-friendly and not especially long, but the experience of walking among massive sequoias makes it feel bigger than the mileage suggests. Plan to bring layers, take your time at the viewpoints, and add a picnic or nearby side walk to make the drive worthwhile.
05
Coolest summer escape
Tehachapi Mountain Park
Tehachapi Mountains Southeast Of Bakersfield • Cooler, Forested Mountain Trail Network • Best Summer Escape From The Heat
A piney high-country park with a mix of singletrack and dirt roads that stays noticeably cooler than the valley on hot days.
Tehachapi Mountain Park offers a welcome change of scenery when the temperatures spike around Old River. The trails wind through oaks and pines, with steady grades that reward you with breezy viewpoints back toward the valley. It’s a solid choice for half-day hikes, and the shaded picnic areas and camp-style feel make it easy to turn a simple outing into a slow, restorative day in the hills.