Hikes in Riverside County

Riverside County covers over 7,000 square miles, stretching east from Orange County all the way to the California border with Arizona. The Santa Ana Mountains form a natural border with Orange County on the west side of Riverside County.

The highest point in Riverside County is San Jacinto Peak, towering over the San Jacinto Mountains as it rises to 10,834 feet. The eastern half of the county is desert and includes Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley, and Joshua Tree National Park. As a housekeeping note, the trails in Joshua Tree are not listed in the Southern California section of hikespeak.com and can be found with the other hikes in the California Desert.

Riverside County Hiking

This collection of trails in Riverside County, California lists hikes roughly from north to south and west to east. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, GPS maps, elevation profiles, directions, and all other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. Below the table is an interactive map showing the location of each hike.

Trail	Description	Distance	Location
230	Canyon View Loop Trail This loop in Whitewater Preserve crosses Whitewater River and incorporates a section of the Pacific Crest Trail to deliver big views up and down Whitewater Canyon.	3.75 miles 650 feet	33.989183, -116.656132
250	Indian Mountain This out and back hike crosses a saddle to a 5,790-foot summit with views of the mountains around San Jacinto Peak near Idyllwild.	6 miles 815 feet	33.797213, -116.7777
260	San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trail This non-nonsense out and back hike ascends to one of Southern California's most panoramic summits.	13.2 miles 4500 feet	33.79117, -116.735386
270	Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail This gradual out and back hike near Idyllwild crosses quiet forests with rugged mountain views.	5.2 miles 675 feet	33.764735, -116.687213
390	El Cariso Nature Trail This loop examines common plants in the Santa Ana Mountains, along with uncommon views views across the mountain range, passing an old mine for more fun.	1.35 - 1.55 miles 125 feet	33.650867, -117.413113
400	Ortega Falls This hike visits a refreshing waterfall, cascade, and swimming hole off Ortega Highway in the Santa Ana Mountains.	0.33 miles 50 feet	33.625765, -117.426339
590	Tenaja Falls This hike ventures up a wilderness canyon to a tall, five-tier waterfall along San Mateo Creek in the Santa Ana Mountains.	1.5 miles 275 feet	33.5491, -117.3946
6000	Fisherman's Camp This hike follows an old road to an old campground with views over San Mateo Canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains.	3.33 miles 400 feet	33.532281, -117.393036