Best Hikes in California's Inland Empire

Whether you’re just passing through or going to school in the Inland Empire, there’s no doubt you’ll notice how very flat the land is. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t amazing nature to explore and beautiful mountains to climb! These are the best hikes in the IE, and although I wouldn’t say I’ve found any I would consider strenuous (again, it’s pretty flat here), there’s a lot of beauty to see in this huge halfway point between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Cross Trail Landmark Photo by Halle Homel

Best Family Friendly Hike: Mount Rubidoux

• Difficulty: Easy

• Distance: about 3 miles

• Dogs allowed? YES- on leash

Mount Rubidoux is the first hike most people in the Inland Empire think of when you mention wanting to hit the trails. It has a paved path, so it’s accessible to strollers and there are a few different ways to reach the peak, including going off the path for a bit and scrambling up some rocks (if you’re into that). The peak features a giant landmark cross and American flag and overlooks Riverside.

Pro tip: Park at Ryan Bonaminio Park since there is no trailhead parking.

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park Trail Photo by Halle Homel

Best Choose Your Own Adventure Hike: Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park

• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

• Distance: as long as you make it

• Dogs allowed? YES- on leash

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park is a little spot of nature right in the middle of a big city. The trail sprawls into hundreds of forks and there are a million different ways to explore this place. Mountain bikers and runners frequent here because of the smooth and heavily used trails, but there are more secluded areas to search for—if you look hard enough. The only drawback is that you can hear cars in the distance most of the time, so it’s not all that immersive of a nature experience.

Pro tip: Download the app All Trails—it’s fairly easy to get lost here because the trails are so winding, and this app has a map that you can follow if you’re recording your hike.

San Bernadino National Forest Photo by Halle Homel

Best Day Trip Adventure: Big Falls Trail, San Bernadino National Forest

• Difficulty: Easy

• Distance: .25 miles

• Dogs allowed? YES- on leash

If you’re looking to get out of the desert, one of the best places to go is up to Forest Falls, a small town in the middle of the San Bernadino National Forest. The most popular spot here is the Big Falls trail, a short trek to a giant waterfall plummeting down the side of the mountain. It can get very cold here, since at this point, you’re approaching Big Bear Mountain, and it does snow in the winter. Forest Falls is about 45 minutes from Riverside. There is another, much longer nearby trail called Vivian Creek, but you do need a wilderness permit to hike the whole distance, which you can pick up at the National Forest Visitor Center.

Pro tip: The National Forest will make it look like you have to have a parking permit to stop here, but to the left of the parking lot entrance, there’s a small gravel area with free parking, so you can stop and enjoy the waterfall as long as you want!

Two Tree Trail Photo by Halle Homel

Prettiest Hike: Two Trees Trail, Box Springs Mountain Preserve

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Distance: 3-5 miles

• Dogs allowed? YES-on leash

This is definitely widely known as one of the prettiest spots in Riverside. Featuring rolling green hills in the winter and spring, and small creeks after it rains, the Two Trees Trail is home to sunflowers and the occasional bluebird. This is an out and back trail with two peaks, the first one at about 1.5 miles, and the second one a bit further up. The way to the peak is almost entirely uphill but is also entirely beautiful. This is the place I’ve felt the most immersed in nature because you can’t see the road for parts of it, and you definitely can’t hear traffic once you’re about a hundred yards into the trail. At the peak, you’ll earn views of the city and the mountains surrounding you.

Pro tip: Go in the winter or spring, or anytime after it rains! The hills this time of year are covered in greenery and it’ll make it much more enjoyable to climb that mountain if it’s not hot outside!