Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park - Riverside, CA
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park: Dog-Friendly Hiking in Riverside, California
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park is a sprawling natural space located in Riverside, California, offering visitors miles of pet-friendly trails ideal for dog owners seeking outdoor adventure with their furry companions. This scenic park features a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails, beautiful wildflower blooms in springtime, and classic Inland Empire landscapes. The presence of wildlife such as lizards, birds, and the occasional coyote adds to the park’s natural charm, making it a unique destination for dog-friendly hiking and nature enthusiasts alike.
The park is known for its open space, rolling hills, and spectacular views, providing an excellent workout for you and your dog, especially after a rain when a small stream winds through the park. While amenities are limited (with trash bins located primarily at main entrances and street parking options), benches are available at scenic viewpoints. If you’re planning a visit, bring plenty of water for yourself and your pup, as shade and water sources are limited, especially during warm weather. Sycamore Canyon is a well-loved local gem for Riverside residents and their adventurous dogs!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park offers miles of interconnected hiking and mountain biking trails perfect for exploring with your dog.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Shade is very limited throughout most of the park. Plan accordingly, especially during hot days.
- Are restrooms available for owners? No, there are no public restrooms at this park.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? There are benches at scenic viewpoints within the park.
- Where is the best place to park? Street parking is available at the Barton Street entrance (recommended) or you can park at the Nature Center’s parking lot off Central Ave. Parking can be limited on busy weekends.
- Is the park open year-round? Yes, the park is accessible and enjoyed year-round.
- How busy does the park get on weekends? The park is more popular and can get busy on weekends, especially in the mornings; arriving early is advisable for parking and a quieter experience.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Some trails can be muddy and the hills can become slippery after rain, so wear appropriate footwear.
- Are ticks or other pests common in the area? As with much of Southern California wilderness, be mindful of local pests and wildlife, including rattlesnakes and big ants.
Reviews
This is a great place to come and hike, especially if it has rained recently. There isn’t a whole lot of shade so plan accordingly. There are a lot of hills so make sure you are prepared for a good workout. The best part is by far the views you get of the surrounding areas. A stream is usually running through part of it, which makes for a nice resting place as well. Definitely recommend!
This is a great place to come and hike, especially if it has rained recently. There isn’t a whole lot of shade so plan accordingly. There are a lot of hills so make sure you are prepared for a good workout. The best part is by far the views you get of the surrounding areas. A stream is usually running through part of it, which makes for a nice resting place as well. Definitely recommend!
This is a great place to come and hike, especially if it has rained recently. There isn’t a whole lot of shade so plan accordingly. There are a lot of hills so make sure you are prepared for a good workout. The best part is by far the views you get of the surrounding areas. A stream is usually running through part of it, which makes for a nice resting place as well. Definitely recommend!
Beautiful hiking area with some nice hills! Some hills are a bit steep so I suggest wearing shoes with good grips at the bottom. Great place to exercise and enjoy the view at the benches. I went in May and some of the flowers were over 5 ft tall! Lots of lizards, ravens, and big ants too.
Watch out for rattlesnakes! I saw one crawling away so I recommend either bringing a hiking stick or looking around before you sit down.
Beautiful hiking area with some nice hills! Some hills are a bit steep so I suggest wearing shoes with good grips at the bottom. Great place to exercise and enjoy the view at the benches. I went in May and some of the flowers were over 5 ft tall! Lots of lizards, ravens, and big ants too.
Watch out for rattlesnakes! I saw one crawling away so I recommend either bringing a hiking stick or looking around before you sit down.
Beautiful hiking area with some nice hills! Some hills are a bit steep so I suggest wearing shoes with good grips at the bottom. Great place to exercise and enjoy the view at the benches. I went in May and some of the flowers were over 5 ft tall! Lots of lizards, ravens, and big ants too.
Watch out for rattlesnakes! I saw one crawling away so I recommend either bringing a hiking stick or looking around before you sit down.
One of my favorite places in Riverside to hike and enjoy nature. There are miles and miles of trails for hiking or mountain biking. I prefer to park at the Barton Street entrance; no parking lot but there is street parking on a dead end road that leads directly to the park entrance. On the weekends it gets “busy” so arrive early for good parking. You can also enter the park through the Nature Center’s parking lot off of Central Ave. or at Sycamore Highlands Park (street parking). There are no public restrooms and trashcans are only located at the main entrances. There is a small creek that runs through the park which can offer some good bird watching opportunities. I mainly come here to hike and for wildlife/nature and landscape photography. Right now the wild blooms cover the entire park. An amazing variety of gorgeous flowers. Coyotes are usual present as well, but I’ve never encountered any that have been aggressive. However, they do sometimes travel in packs through the park. Be prepared to share the trails with mountain bikers. While not a huge problem, you may run into a few homeless people living in the park. On hot days, plan accordingly and bring lots of water. There is very little shade throughout the park.
One of my favorite places in Riverside to hike and enjoy nature. There are miles and miles of trails for hiking or mountain biking. I prefer to park at the Barton Street entrance; no parking lot but there is street parking on a dead end road that leads directly to the park entrance. On the weekends it gets “busy” so arrive early for good parking. You can also enter the park through the Nature Center’s parking lot off of Central Ave. or at Sycamore Highlands Park (street parking). There are no public restrooms and trashcans are only located at the main entrances. There is a small creek that runs through the park which can offer some good bird watching opportunities. I mainly come here to hike and for wildlife/nature and landscape photography. Right now the wild blooms cover the entire park. An amazing variety of gorgeous flowers. Coyotes are usual present as well, but I’ve never encountered any that have been aggressive. However, they do sometimes travel in packs through the park. Be prepared to share the trails with mountain bikers. While not a huge problem, you may run into a few homeless people living in the park. On hot days, plan accordingly and bring lots of water. There is very little shade throughout the park.
One of my favorite places in Riverside to hike and enjoy nature. There are miles and miles of trails for hiking or mountain biking. I prefer to park at the Barton Street entrance; no parking lot but there is street parking on a dead end road that leads directly to the park entrance. On the weekends it gets “busy” so arrive early for good parking. You can also enter the park through the Nature Center’s parking lot off of Central Ave. or at Sycamore Highlands Park (street parking). There are no public restrooms and trashcans are only located at the main entrances. There is a small creek that runs through the park which can offer some good bird watching opportunities. I mainly come here to hike and for wildlife/nature and landscape photography. Right now the wild blooms cover the entire park. An amazing variety of gorgeous flowers. Coyotes are usual present as well, but I’ve never encountered any that have been aggressive. However, they do sometimes travel in packs through the park. Be prepared to share the trails with mountain bikers. While not a huge problem, you may run into a few homeless people living in the park. On hot days, plan accordingly and bring lots of water. There is very little shade throughout the park.
I’m so glad that we have miles of mountain bike trails in the city limits. There are plenty of named and unnamed trails of varying difficulty so you can always mix it up. I recommend parking on Barton St. There’s a year-round stream running through the park so this place is also good for nature viewing – there’s coyotes, roadrunners and other birds, lizards and more. This place is a good example of classic Inland Empire landscape.