Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange encompasses 340 acres of coastal sage scrub, riparian, freshwater marsh and grassland habitats. The park offers hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails, reservoir views, wildlife watching and connections to the regional trail system. It is located a few miles southwest of Irvine Regional Park.
Peters Canyon Hours & Visitor Information
Main entrance: 8548 E. Canyon View Ave., Orange, CA 92869
Phone: 714-973-6611
Email: peterscanyon@ocparks.com
Park hours: Daily, 7:00 a.m. to sunset
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–3:30 p.m.
Dogs: Permitted on a leash no longer than 6 feet
Hiking: Yes
Mountain biking: Yes, on designated trails
Equestrian trails: Yes
Peters Canyon Regional Park and its main parking lot close at sunset. Check the posted closing time when you arrive; vehicles remaining after the lot closes may be cited and locked in. Trails may also close for up to three days following rain, depending on conditions.
Before You Go
- The park is open from 7:00 a.m. to sunset.
- Daily parking at the main lot is $3.
- The parking lot closes at sunset.
- Trails may close for up to three days after rain.
- Shade is limited on many trails, so bring adequate water and consider morning visits during hot weather.
- Dogs must remain on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
- Fishing, swimming, wading and watercraft are prohibited.
- Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes are prohibited on unpaved trails in the park.
For current trail conditions and closures, check the official OC Parks Peters Canyon Regional Park page before visiting.
Peters Canyon Trails
Peters Canyon has a mix of easy, moderate and difficult trails used by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The steep red-dirt climb commonly known by local trail users as “Big Red” is one of the park’s most recognizable climbs. Trail users should follow posted use designations and yield rules.
| Trail or Loop | Distance | Difficulty / Use |
|---|---|---|
| East Ridge Loop | 5.7 miles | Loop using multiple park trails |
| North Loop | 2.5 miles | Loop around the northern portion of the park |
| East Ridge View Trail | 1.5 miles | Difficult, multi-use |
| Peters Canyon Trail | 2 miles | Easy, multi-use |
| Cactus Point Trail | 0.5 mile | Moderate, multi-use |
| Creek Trail | 0.25 mile | Easy, hiking only |
The East Ridge View Trail provides panoramic views of Peters Canyon and the surrounding area, while the North Loop passes the Upper Peters Canyon Reservoir. Peters Canyon Creek Nature Trail travels through groves of black willows and cottonwoods along the seasonal creek. The regional Mountains to Sea Trail also passes through the Peters Canyon area on its route toward Upper Newport Bay.
Most of the park has limited shade. During warm weather, bring plenty of water, use sun protection and consider hiking earlier in the day.
Peters Canyon Reservoir
The 55-acre Upper Peters Canyon Reservoir is located at the northern end of the park and provides habitat for resident and migrating waterfowl. Black willows, sycamores and cottonwoods grow near the reservoir and Peters Canyon Creek. Water levels can vary significantly with weather and drought conditions.
Fishing, swimming, wading and watercraft are prohibited in the reservoir and creek.
Peters Canyon Parking
The main parking lot is at 8548 E. Canyon View Ave. Daily parking is $3. The payment machine accepts $1 bills, quarters, Visa and MasterCard. OC Parks regional and wilderness parking passes are also valid at Peters Canyon Regional Park.
The main lot closes at sunset, and visitors should check the posted closing time when they arrive. OC Parks warns that illegal parking on Peters Canyon Road is subject to citation by the Tustin Police Department. Use only legal, designated parking and obey all posted restrictions around park entrances.
Wildlife at Peters Canyon
Peters Canyon’s coastal sage scrub, grassland, riparian and reservoir habitats support a variety of wildlife. Mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, opossums and raccoons live in the area, and mountain lions are occasionally present. Birds found in the park include cactus wrens, gnatcatchers, rufous-crowned sparrows, Cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks and red-shouldered hawks.
Visitors should remain alert for natural hazards including rattlesnakes, mountain lions, poison oak and rugged terrain. Observe wildlife from a safe distance and do not feed or disturb animals.
Peters Canyon Regional Park Video
Peters Canyon History
Peters Canyon was part of the historic Rancho Lomas de Santiago land grant. During the Spanish period, the canyon was known as Cañón de las Ranas, or “Canyon of the Frogs,” a reference to the area’s drainage toward the marshlands below. The landscape later became part of the Irvine Ranch and was used for agriculture before becoming the regional park visitors know today.
The park’s landscape reflects both natural habitat and generations of human use. Today, OC Parks manages Peters Canyon for recreation, habitat protection and regional trail connectivity.
Peters Canyon Map
Use the official Peters Canyon Regional Park trail map from OC Parks for current trail names, distances, difficulty ratings, entrances and park facilities.
Peters Canyon FAQ
How much is parking at Peters Canyon?
Daily parking at the main Peters Canyon Regional Park lot is $3. OC Parks regional and wilderness parking passes are also accepted.
Are dogs allowed at Peters Canyon?
Yes. Dogs are permitted but must remain on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Are bikes allowed at Peters Canyon?
Mountain bikes are permitted on designated multi-use trails. Riders should follow posted trail-use designations and yield rules.
Are e-bikes allowed on Peters Canyon trails?
Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited on unpaved trails within Peters Canyon Regional Park. OC Parks allows certain e-bikes on designated paved regional bikeways, so riders should check current rules for the specific route they plan to use.
How long is the Peters Canyon loop?
The official park map identifies the East Ridge Loop as 5.7 miles and the North Loop as 2.5 miles. Several shorter trails can also be combined for different routes.
Can you fish or swim at Peters Canyon Reservoir?
No. Fishing, swimming, wading and watercraft are prohibited.
Does Peters Canyon close after rain?
Trails may remain closed for up to three days following rain. Check OC Parks for current conditions before visiting after wet weather.
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