Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

We live right down the street from the canyon. We just absolutely love taking our kids here and going for bike rides and hikes through the wilderness Park. It feels like you’re miles and miles away from home. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

This is a favorite place of mine to escape into nature. I love this canyon park for walking and talking, and for my own personal wellness therapy. I highly recommend you come for a hike in this gorgeous canyon. I guarantee it’s good for your mind, body and spirit. Hope to see you soon! –Julie

Great hike! We began from the Aliso Creek trail to the Wood Canyon trail, Dripping Cave, and eventually found the Car Wreck trail. From there we climbed up the mountain to Mathis Canyon trail and worked our way back down. It was such a great workout! Can’t wait to do it again.

Well deserved 5 stars. just be careful with little ones if you walk as you’ll compete with bicycles on some parts.
As you begin your journey, the road will be well paved if you start at the nature center area parking lot. You’ll find plenty of room to walk and share the road.
This time of the year you’ll experience lush green hills, frogs croaking and the occasional road runner or rabbit running accross the path.
As you trek in around a mile, the road turns to a nicely kept dirt path as you see SOKA university on the hills to the right and the Top of the World trails on the left.
The overall trail leads to so many more trails and so many different levels of trails to choose from. You’ll notice they have nature information boards and trail information posted as you trek further in.
Thank goodness they also have a outhouse 1.5 miles into your trek just in case of emergency. It was pretty clean when I was there.
Enjoy everything you see and enjoy the calories you’ll be burning as you enjoy nature at its best!!!

Great hiking and biking area (although there seems to be far more bikers than hikers).
Easy access parking lot costs $ 3.00 for the day (credit cards accepted). A map of the trails is available at the trailhead and signs with maps are posted at intervals along the trails. Most of the trails are easy/​flat with a few that have some elevation. The first portion of the trail is wide & paved although there is a narrow dirt trail that parallels it. The pavement eventually ends and various dirt trails meander for a couple miles through the canyon.
There is no shade except a bit around Cave Rock and Dripping Cave. Incidentally, I wouldn’t exactly call these caves but small rock shelters yet still interesting and fun to step into nevertheless. Wildlife can be seen; I saw a group of 5 deer in a meadow during my recent hike.
Overall a nice place for some exercise whether you walk, jog or bicycle.

The park has some makeover to create very convenient and stroller friendly trail (from entrance to Dripping Cave) for families with small children. Some of the improvements include:
Native Plant Garden with charming path to explore various plants
Visible signs and explanation board along the trail
Trailhead area has various boulders which can serve as an inviting seating area for large group
Scenic park any time of the year for visitors of all ages, including mountain bikers, runners, hikes, or families.

One of the many joys living in Orange County is the amount of trails we have there is an endless supply of things to be discovered. In Aliso and Wood Canyon Park One of the most beautiful discoveries I’ve come upon today it is Cave Rock and the Dripping Cave. There is something for everyone from easy to very difficult. Grab a water bottle or two and have fun making your own discoveries.

Trails of all levels! Instanly obsessed with this place! We did about 3 hours of exploring! The dripping caves are definitely highlight! I love how you can go from and easy trail to a difficult one so easily! The trail map is so easy to follow and each trail is marked with difficulty. We parked at the church across the street. HIGH RECCOMEND this place!

After a 3.5 hour hike here this trail definitely kicked our butts. There are many trails here from moderate to hard inclines. We chose the hard trail and it took us almost 4 hours to complete. There were a lot of inclines because you’re going up a mountain. The trail we chose had plenty of trees and shades about an hour into the hike. Bring lots and lots of water because you will need it! Maps all along the way so as long on you’re on trail and following the maps you should be good.

Bring water!
Adhere to the common safety rules of hiking.
This hiking trails lack shades; you’ll be expose to the elements!
We started our journey from the beautiful and scenic Top of the World park and chose the «difficult» Car Wreck Trail…
Google «Car Wreck Trail» — cool /​eerie history.
Steep, sandy and rocky… great combinations right?! Haha! It helps to let out a few colorful words! %#¥!
Started at 1036 ft elevation, worked down to 300 ft elevation…
Great work out! Many photo-​ops.
One of my favorite hiking spot because of its proximity to home and its secludedness.
There are many trails ranging from easy to more difficult. Some grant access to mountain bikers & horse riders.
No dogs allowed on some trails.
Occasional map stations available.
No restroom or water fountain on trails.
Wild animals have been sighted.
(Hot bikers have been sighted too O_​o)

I took my thirteen year old son & his friend hiking here on a Saturday afternoon. We brought water (one bottle each), but should have brought more, as the sun was pretty strong that afternoon and there’s not a lot of shade. Next time we will attempt an early morning hike.
Aside from getting a little overheated, the hike was easy and really beautiful! The boys really enjoyed sitting in the shallow caves of Cave Rock. We plan hiking to Dripping Caves next!
Oh, watch out for mountain bikers!

We had the pleasure of hiking here one morning early enough that we hiked from below a cloud up through it and above it! Incredible view from the ridge line.
Took us about 6 – 7 hours and involved quite an incline but was well worth every drop of sweat.
On other occasions we have done shorter hikes of about 2 – 3 hours.
One of the most beautiful trails in the area.

This might be my favorite hike in the LA area! Granted, I have not been on too many hikes here, but of the ones I’ve been on in LA, I feel like they have all looked the same: lots of brush, dry, shades of yellow the entire way. I know that has to do with it being Southern California, but seriously, all the hikes look alike. I mention that because that’s one thing I liked about this particular hike: it’s different! It has some variety! And that makes for a more exciting hike!
When you first arrive, make sure to park on Awma Street, if there’s any openings. We came around noon on the 4^th of July, and there was space. Yay free parking!
We took the main trail, which starts at the ranger station, and hit up all the main sites: Cave Rock, Dripping Cave, and Car Wreck. The main trail is called Wood Canyon Trail, and it’s a pretty easy main trail/​road to follow, as it’s really wide. The first two sites are just slight detours off Wood Canyon Trail. You can veer off for a little bit, check out those features, and then come right back to the main road. For most of the hike, it’s pretty flat, with maybe a slight incline. The Cave Rock and Dripping Cave were a bit underwhelming, but it was still interesting to see some different rock formations. At one point, after the Dripping Cave, you’ll hit a big fork in the road. We took the left fork, which was Oak Grove, which then turns into Car Wreck Trail. The car wreck itself is pretty cool, a beat up, rusty old car and god knows how it got there. After you pass the car wreck, you’ll be in for some SERIOUS rocky mountain climbing. It is very rigorous, all uphill, and rocky. Be warned, it’s a climb. When I got to the end of Car Wreck Trail, I was definitely in a bad mood — hangry, tired, exhausted. I was ready to head back down immediately, but a passerby convinced us to keep going to get to the Top of the World. It’s all still uphill, but it’s not rocky, so it was much easier. It’s about another 20 minutes, and you’ll get to the Top of the World, which has a little picnic area, a playground, bathrooms, water, and an ok view of the world. Oh, also, apparently, the Top of the World is located in the middle of a residential neighborhood, so you can drive to it. That was a little weird. As somebody else mentioned, it’s a little strange hiking all the way up to a viewpoint that you can easily drive to.
That first part of the hike, going uphill and arriving at Top of the World, was 5.4 miles, according to my phone app. When we went down, we took Mathis Canyon instead of Car Wreck Trail, which was much easier. All in all, it was about a 10 mile hike. With a variety of brush, desert scenery, some foresty areas covered with lots of greenery and trees, wide open spaces, and hills. I enjoyed it all, minus the portion of Car Wreck going uphill, which was quite exhausting.
As for tips:
1) Bring plenty of water. If you take the route we took, you’ll only be able to refill at the Top of the World.
2) Bring a picnic and food to refuel, and eat it at Top of the World. The first part of the hike going uphill took us almost 2.5 hours. It’s a natural stopping point to break at Top of the World and eat a nice picnic lunch on the grass.
3) If you are tired after going up Car Wreck and pondering if you should just head back down, I’d suggest spending the extra 20 minutes and hike to the Top of the World. The view isn’t super awesome, but hey there’s water, bathrooms, grass, civilization, and a place to eat up there! It’s a natural break point!
4) Take a picture of the trail map when you start at the Ranger Station. It’s helpful!
Happy hiking!

After reading all the comments about Aliso Canyon Hike, I had to go! Park on Awma Street to avoid paying for parking. It’s a very small street so if you find a spot you’re lucky. We went on Tuesday morning so there weren’t many people, just the way I like it.
You start out walking on a mile and a half of asphalt before you go on the dirt trail. I wanted to check out the big three sites on this hike which were Cave Rock, the Dripping Cave aka Robber’s Cave, and Car Wreck Tail. *Take a picture on your phone of the map of trails and how to get the each site. The sign is at the entrance of the dirt trail*
You’ll see Cave Rock the first 5 minutes while being on the trail and there is a sign that talks about the history. Secondly, you’ll get back on the dirt trail and you’ll take that a mile and a half and make a left to get to the Dripping Cave. This was my favorite park of the hike. It’s very green and beautiful as you approach the cave and you’ll be marveled at its size and structure. I would say it’s 15ft high and 40ft wide and there’s also a sign that says how robbers and thieves used to hide in the Cave during the 1800s after they would rob wagons or stagecoaches of crops and other possessions. We got a lot of cool picture.
After you leave the Dripping Cave, take a left to head to Car Wreck Trail. This is where you’ll find an old, 1946 Ford Coupe submerged in the rocky terrain. It’s also a nice hike to reach this site. It’s very green and beautiful as well, but watch out for all the poison oak!!! It’s everywhere. A mountain biker sped by us before warning us that they call that part of the hike «poison oak alley» haha.
The car is very eerie. No one knows where it came from and there are no paved roads nearby. It’s definitely a site to see. We headed back to the trailhead after and the whole trip took us about 4 hours (11am-​3pm).
This was our first time on this trail but it won’t be our last. Definitely recommend it!

This is one of my favorite parks in Orange County, for hiking mtn biking and road biking. But there are quite a few rattlesnakes and bobcats in that area. The few bobcats I’ve seen aren’t a problem, they’ll avoid you. But the snakes will soak up the sun on the road so keep an eye out for them. Plenty of deer to see as well.
The main road is by a church parking lot and you’ll follow it for about a mile or two before you get to the dirt trail head. I’ve been mountain biking and hiking this park for years and it has beautiful scenery. Just watch for snakes and fast mountain bikers on the single track trails off the main road. It can also get hot in the summer as there is minimal amount of shade on the main double-​track trail. It’s also good for people of all hiking experience levels. Take the Cholla trail if you really want a workout.
And please, please do NOT litter here. It’s one of our best parks in OC and I hate seeing garbage on or off the trails.

Reallly fun place to mountain bike or run near Laguna. Some neat historical sites to check out as well such as bandit caves and former farmland. More then enough trails of all difficulties for serious mountain bikers to get a good work out in.
Also, rattlesnakes, quail and plenty of wildlife are all around you.

Love this wilderness park! I haven’t done all the trails, but done a few and they have all been great.
TRAILS:
I will try to remember the ones I have done.
With a mountain bike I did: aliso creek trail and then we took the wood canyon trail north.
**I’ve also walked the aliso creek trail.
Most recently I’ve walked the wood canyon trail and then took the Mathis Canyon Trail. We went on a really hot day and were trying to find the Dripping Cave, but didn’t find it and decided to turn around because we were so hot! Next time!
Check out the trail map:
There is a trail that takes you to top of the world. I’ve been to Top of the World and the views are beautiful! Love it!
This is such a great wilderness park. Great location, and all levels of hiking trails.

I used the address listed on Unilocal, (28 373 Alicia Pkwy) but we parked on Awma Road off Alicia Parkway right in front of the church since the park parking lot is closed for renovations right now. We then walked across the street and used Awma Road to begin the hike. The first 1.5 miles of this hike is a paved road that runs along a stream. I read people complain about the start of the hike not being very enjoyable, but my boyfriend and I didn’t mind. We loved hearing the sound of running water, and at one point there was even a cool man-​made waterfall.
After 1.5 miles the trail splits where you can stay straight on the paved road or turn right onto Lower Wood Canyon Trail to get to Dripping Cave and Cave Rock. We went right and hiked another 1.5 miles when we got to the Dripping Cave. The path to enter Dripping Cave is clearly labeled, so you won’t be able to miss it. Legend claims the cave was once a hide-​out for thieves after robbing livestock. It rained a few days before we went, so when we got to the cave, there was actually water dripping down. We spent a good 15 minutes exploring the cave and taking pictures before heading back to the trail. Instead of going back the way we came up to the cave, there is an alternative trail that we decided to explore. It ended up looping back to the original trail about a mile later, but the views from this loop were really beautiful.
Once back on the original trail, we hiked back the way we came past the entrance to Dripping Cave when we got to the entrance to Cave Rock again nicely labeled. Although not as cool as Dripping Cave, Cave Rock was a nice place to sit, eat some snacks, and enjoy the views around us. There were a ton of small caves all along this loop which is where it gets its name.
After we had our snacks at the top of Cave Rock we were fueled and ready for the last part of our journey to hike to the top of the mountain and watch the sunset over the ocean. We got back onto Lower Wood Canyon Trail until we came to Meadows Trail on the right side. Meadows Trail was a lot more difficult than it initially looked. The trail kept winding around the mountain and was on an incline pretty much the entire way up. I wanted to give up, but I knew the view from the top would be worth it. Finally we made it to the top and ended up on Aswut Trail which is at 817 feet of elevation. We sat in the grass and watch as the sun slowly starting to fade into the ocean.
Once the sun had pretty much set we hiked back down the mountain using the Mentally Sensitive Trail. This trail was really crazy. I felt like I was going to tumble down the mountain pretty much the entire time. I wouldn’t suggest taking this trail unless you are an experienced hiker. By the time we made it down the mountain and back onto Awma Road, we still had over 2 miles to go to get back to where we parked. It was getting pretty dark and cold, so we really hustled back. I recommend either leaving before the sun sets or bringing a flashlight with you since there is no light around anywhere. By the time we got back to the car, our entire round trip was about 10 miles.
This park is great for running, hiking, and mountain biking. The trails are well maintained and labeled. Bring plenty of water and snacks in your backpack. Parking is free on the street or $ 3 when the parking lot opens back up. The park is open from 7AM to sunset. This park is truly diverse with different trails and many different features to explore. There is a stream and small waterfalls, caves, mountains, and even a view of the ocean. Overall, this was an awesome hike in Orange County, and I would definitely do it again.

Happy New Year!
Decided to start off 2015 with a beautiful cold hike!
This is our second time coming here and it is absolutely beautiful. So many trails to choose from a lot bigger than I thought. We actually have been told to go here by a few of our friends who swear by this trail and we are glad it is only a few minutes away!
So many active people already on their mountain bikes, walking dogs and running I love it! Beware, there are some areas where dogs are not allowed but there are signs so there shouldn’t be a problem.
We went up Cholla trail, pretty much up hill switch backs. It took us to west ridge trail where a few different trails derive from it. We chose to do Lynx trail. It was kinda scary because the pathways were very narrow! Watch out for bikers. I wouldn’t recommend having you’re headphones on blast here because you want to be fully aware. There isn’t a lot of space to move around so when you hear mountain bikers coming find a place to be safe and to the side.
I can’t wait to try all the different trails they have. I heard there is one where you can see the ocean! So many beautiful places in Orange County to explore. I love getting outdoors!
Now rereading the map Lynx trail is rated a difficult trail. Lol it was definitely not for beginners.
Have a great hike, run or ride :-)

«All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.» –Martin Buber
The best kind of trails are the ones that hold secrets… ones of adventures from the past, and ones yet to be discovered. Aliso and Wood Canyon is a treasure trove of adventures! My hiking buddy Marisol and I have barely scratched the surface with two of them: Cave Rock and Dripping Cave.
As the name implies, Cave Rock is a large rock formation with several small caves around its base, and one up on top. According to the OC Parks site, two Native American tribes used to inhabit this area, and I couldn’t help but think that this was a favorite frolicking site for the youngsters of those tribes. Cave Rock is about 3 miles into the hike.
Cave Rock:
Cave Rock (view from the top):
Cave Rock’s backside:
As we continued up the Wood Canyon Trail after hiking almost another mile, we came to the highlight of our trek, Dripping Cave. A sign outside the cave reads, «Dripping Cave: Also known as Robber’s Cave. Legend claim this cave was used by thieves as a hide-​out after robbing stages or stealing livestock. Holes you see in the cave walls were bored out and fitted with pegs on which to hang supplies.»
It was huge in there! And so very cool… a good 5 – 8 degrees cooler than right outside. My photos don’t do this sandstone cavern any justice. The colors were rich yellows and rust, and smelled of damp earth. If not for the great signage, this cave would have been difficult to locate! I have no doubt that the legend of Dripping Cave is true!
Trust me, there’s a cave around the corner:
The sign:
Entrance to Cave:
Dripping Cave:
Roof of Cave:
The round trip to visit Cave Rock and Dripping Cave, when parking from the main staging area off of Alicia Pkwy is little over 7 miles. Bring plenty of water and a couple snacks in your backpack. Though there are trees along the trails, most are not large enough to provide any meaningful shade. Sunscreen or a large brimmed hat is a must.
So many more adventures await me in coming hikes, and I can’t wait to explore them all. «Top of the World,» a trail that affords stunning views of OC; «Pecten Reef Loop Trail,» which housed many marine fossils; and an Old Corral are all calling my name.
To my fellow Unilocaler’s with 4-​legged friends, dogs are allowed on many of the trails and are denoted on the Park Map:
Parking fee is $ 3.
Park is open from 7AM to sunset.