What is the length of the Bommer Canyon Trail hike?

The Bommer Canyon Trail is a 4.8-mile hike, but there is also a 2-mile option that is flat and great for families.

What should I bring for the Bommer Canyon Trail hike?

Bring fitness or light hiking gear, sturdy shoes for the dirt trail, 1L of water, and trekking poles for the steeper sections, especially if you're doing the full hike.

Is there parking at the Bommer Canyon Trailhead?

Yes, there is a small parking lot at the trailhead, but it fills up quickly. If full, you can park at Turtle Rock Community Park, which has a larger lot.

Is the Bommer Canyon Trail family-friendly?

Yes, the Bommer Canyon Trail is family-friendly, with an easier 2-mile option for a relaxed hike. The full hike involves some uphill, but it's still accessible for most.

What is the history of Bommer Canyon?

Bommer Canyon was part of a Mexican land grant and became the center of Irvine cattle ranching operations. It has a rich history, including being the site of the Irvine cattle camp, which operated from the 1870s to the 1970s.

What will I see on the Bommer Canyon Trail hike?

Along the trail, you’ll see scenic views of Bommer Canyon, old cattle grazing areas, and a section with Giant Sequoia trees. The full hike offers panoramic views from the highest point of the San Joaquin Hills.

Are there any notable landmarks on the Bommer Canyon Trail?

Notable landmarks include Bommer Meadow, several bridges, the Bommer Nature Garden, and panoramic views from Saddleback Mountain to Mt. Baldy.

What are the elevation gains on the Bommer Canyon Trail?

The trail has a steady climb, with the main elevation gain at the end of the hike, where you will ascend to the ridge of the San Joaquin Hills. The total elevation gain is about 2,600 feet.

Is there any wildlife on the Bommer Canyon Trail?

Yes, you can spot various wildlife along the trail, including birds, deer, and smaller animals. Bommer Canyon is a great place for birdwatching, especially in the early morning.

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Bommer Canyon Trail Hike Guide

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated January 17, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 4.8 miles
Time: 2
Total Climbing: 900 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Moderate
Dogs: No Dogs
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: Bommer Canyon

The Bommer Canyon Trail, a natural oasis nestled within suburbia, offers a little bit of everything. This easy hike showcases natural beauty, has lots of wildlife spotting opportunities, an interesting history, and sweeping vistas as you approach the highest point in the San Joaquin Hills. The full 4.8 mile hike includes some uphill, but if you want to do something easy, I'll show you an easy 2 mile option that's flat and great for families. Bommer Canyon is a National Natural Landmark and California's first Natural Landmark; it's worth visiting.

Where is the Bommer Canyon Trail?

The main trailhead is in Irvine, CA. Use this address:
6400 Shady Canyon Trail, Irvine, CA 92603

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 3 — The entrance can be easy to miss, look for this sign out front.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 4 — The main trailhead parking lot is small and fills up quickly with hikers, locals, and mountain bikers.

Bommer Canyon Overflow Parking — If there's no parking in the main lot, head down to the Turtle Rock Community Park and then walk up from there.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 2 — You shouldn't have a problem parking at the Turtle Rock Community Park, the lot is huge. There are also bathrooms here.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 7 — The main trailhead has bathrooms and water fountains.

Gear For the Hike

This is an easy trail where you can get away with fitness clothes or light hiking gear. Good trail shoes will help on the dirt, and trekking poles can help on the steeper climb at the end. Bring 1L of water. It can get hot in the summer; there isn't any shade.

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Garmin inReach Mini 2: Reliable SOS Everywhere on Earth
Sawyer + CNOC Water Filter: Easy & Reliable Safe Water
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp: Running late? Get home safe
Altra Olympus 275: Favorite trail shoes right now, no blisters and very comfy.
AllTrails Plus (30% off): Offline maps on your phone with the Plus level
Full December 2025 Gear List →

Bommer Canyon Trail Maps

Overall the trails are well-marked and well-maintained. Please stay on the trails and respect the signage.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 1 — Help the park restore the area by staying on the trails and heeding any warnings.

Click to activate map

Print Map, Work With It Yourself

View Hike on CalTopo

Bring the Guide to Any GPS

Download the GPX File

Elevation Profile

Bommer Canyon Trail Elevation — Here's the one-way elevation profile. The main climb is at the end of the hike. If you do the short option to mile 1, the climbing is undetectable.

3D Map

Hike Brief

Govenor At Bommer Canyon — Here's how Arnold Schwarzenegger likes to hike Bommer Canyon, in a suit and tie. Photo LA Times

You'll be hiking through the San Joaquin Hills, which were once underwater, but have now been pushed up from tectonic action. When the 73 Toll Road was built (which you see at the end of the hike), they actually unearthed 5 million year old fossilized whales.
Bommer Canyon was part of a Mexican land grant. When the Americans took over, the Irvine family eventually acquired it.
Bommer Canyon became the center of the Irvine cattle ranching operations, called "Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp." Every spring all the cattle that roamed over what is now the greater Irvine area were gathered here in a roundup. The cattle camp remained in operation for almost 100 years (1870s-1970) until the Irvine family realized that there's more money in real estate than cows.
The entire Irvine Ranch area became a National Natural Landmark in 2006, and then the first California National Landmark in 2008, when Arnold Schwarzenegger hiked here as part of the designation ceremony. The Natural Landmarks Program "recognizes the conservation of sites that contain outstanding biological and geological resources."

Bommer Canyon Hike Directions

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 5 — The trailhead is behind the building where the bathrooms are.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 6 — There's a cool mosaic on the building that you can grab a photo with.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 8 — Head through the gate to start the hike on the Bommer Meadow Trail.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 9 — The trail junctions all have signs that tell you which trail that you're on.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 10 — The trail meanders up Bommer Canyon, through the old cattle grazing area.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 11 — The trail crosses a bridge.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 12 — And then another.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 13 — When you get to the junction, make the hard right onto the Nature Loop.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 14 — The trail is fenced in to protect the habitat. The park is in the process of removing invasive weeds and plants before introducing native species back to the area.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 15 — The trail gently climbs up Bommer Canyon. Look back for nice views into Angeles National Forest and Mt Badly in the distance.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 16 — As the trail climbs, you'll also see the 73 Toll Road at the top of Bommer Canyon. If you're doing the full hike, you'll be hiking up to that point.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 17 — The trail winds down some switchbacks to a hill and a bridge. Cross the bridge.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 18 — Once across the bridge, follow the trail around an open area.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 19 — You'll pass the Bommer Nature Garden, which has relics of the old cattle camp inside. It's open by appointment only

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 20 — Head around to the road and cross over if you are doing the full hike.

If you are doing the shorter 2 mile hike, simply go back the way you came from here.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 21 — To continue on the longer hike, cross the road and start the Bommer Pass Trail.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 22 — There's a small uphill as you loop to the right on the hill.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 23 — From the top of the Bommer Pass Trail, you'll be able to see the West Fork Trail climbing the hillside in the distance. We'll be climbing that trail later.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 24 — Bommer Pass Trail heads downhill to its end.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 25 — Go past the East Fork Trail.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 26 — And right after that, make the left onto the West Fork Trail.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 27 — After a short flatter stretch, make the hard left and start hiking uphill. On the right you'll pass the start of the Turtle Ridge Trail.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 28 — The trail is steep but doable.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 29 — Take breaks to turn around and look back at the incredible views into Bommer Canyon and beyond.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 30 — At the top of the climb, go through the gate.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 31 — Then hike under the 73 Toll Road.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 32 — The trail will loop up to the left as it joins Ridge Park Rd.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 36 — You'll get sweeping views from Saddleback Mountain to Mt Baldy.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 33 — When you get to the trail junction, make the hard right to the trailhead.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 34 — Here you are, at the top! Check out the trail map, relax, and get ready to head back down.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 35 — There's a cool trailhead sign here that makes for a good photo.

From here you just return the same way you came up. If you need water or a bathroom, just visit the park across the street. This trailhead is popular spot for local to access Crystal Cove State Park, as there's no entry fees or PCH traffic.