Where is the El Moro Canyon Loop Trail?

The El Moro Canyon Loop Trail is located in Crystal Cove State Park, about an hour south of Los Angeles in Orange County, CA. The recommended parking area is at the trailhead, which provides easy access and more parking compared to the ranger station. To get there, drive past the campground, continue past the school, and follow signs to the trail parking lot.

What is the length and difficulty of the El Moro Canyon Loop Trail?

The El Moro Canyon Loop Trail is a moderate 3.6-mile loop with some climbing. The trail offers beautiful ocean views and is a great hike for those seeking a moderate challenge with a relatively short duration. The one significant climb is on the East Cut Across Trail, but the rest of the hike is relatively gentle.

What should I bring for the El Moro Canyon Loop Trail?

For the El Moro Canyon Loop Trail, fitness clothes work great, but be sure to bring at least 1L of water, especially in the summer when temperatures can get very hot. Sun protection is a must as there is no shade along the trail.

Is there parking available at the El Moro Canyon Loop Trailhead?

Yes, there is a large parking lot at the El Moro Canyon Loop Trailhead. The parking lot includes water refills and bathrooms. You will need to pay an entrance fee to access the park, but this fee grants you access for the entire day, allowing you to explore both the hike and the beach.

What is the best way to access the El Moro Canyon Loop Trail?

The best way to access the El Moro Canyon Loop Trail is by driving directly to the trailhead parking lot. Unlike other guides that recommend starting at the ranger station, parking at the trailhead offers more space and easier access to the trail, without having to walk along the road.

What are the highlights of the El Moro Canyon Loop Trail?

The El Moro Canyon Loop Trail offers scenic ocean views and passes through various terrains, including rolling hills and a steady climb. The trail provides excellent opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of Crystal Cove State Park and features views from Palm Springs to the Mexican border. It's a great mix of ocean vistas and inland landscapes.

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El Moro Canyon Loop Trail

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

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 4.2 miles
Time: 1.5-2 Hours
Total Climbing: 720 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Moderate
Dogs: No Dogs
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: Crystal Cove State Park

The El Moro Canyon Loop Trail might be the perfect hike in Crystal Cove State Park. It's not too long, offers a bit of climbing, and showcases the incredible ocean views that Crystal Cove is famous for. My version of the hike offers the easiest parking and cuts off a section along the road.

Where is El Moro Canyon?

El Moro Canyon Hike Map — Crystal Cove State Park is located about an hour south of Los Angeles in Orange County, CA.

Other guides to this hike have you starting at the ranger station , but I don't recommend that. You have a smaller parking area and have to walk along a road to get to the trails. Instead, I recommend driving to the proper trailhead at the start of the hike. There's more parking and easier facilities.
The parking lot has water fills and bathrooms.
There is a fee to enter the park.
You can use the fee all day, and many people will hike in the morning and then do the beach in the afternoon. You can do both from this same parking lot.

El Moro Canyon Hike Parking — When you drive in, go toward the campground and then past it to the trail parking lot.

El Moro Canyon Hike Parking 1 — Once you drive in and pass the school, you'll see a turn on the left for the ranger station. Stay straight.

El Moro Canyon Hike Parking 2 — Pay your fee at the booth and then follow signs for trail parking.

El Moro Canyon Hike Parking 3 — The parking lot is massive.

Moro Canyon Hike Start — The hike starts at the end of the parking lot.

Gear Recommendations

Fitness clothes work great for this hike.
In the summer it can get very hot, bring at least 1L of water.
There is no shade on this hike, you need sun protection.

Essentials I’m Using Now

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.
Full November 2025 Gear List →

El Moro Canyon Trail Maps

El Moro Canyon Hike Trail Maps — Each trail junction has a map like this, with your current position marked with a red circle.

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El Moro Canyon Loop Hike Directions

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 1 — Start the hike just past the trail board at the end of the parking lot. Go straight across the bridge.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 2 — Once you cross the bridge go straight, ignoring the trail back to the right.

Moro Canyon Directions 99 — And then hike straight past the BFI trail junction.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 4 — The Moro Canyon Trail climbs gently for about a mile.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 5 — At about 1 mile, make the right onto the East Cut Across Trail.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 6 — This is the one climb on the hike. It's challenging but steady.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 7 — At about 2.1 miles at the top of the climb, bear right.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 8 — And then stay right on the Moro Ridge Trail. It's all downhill from here.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 10 — Enjoy the ocean views.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 9 — Bear right at the utility trail spit and stay on Moro Ridge.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 11 — Towards the bottom of the descent, make the right onto the BFI trail and continue downhill.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 12 — At the bottom of the climb, you come back out on the trail where we started at the bridge. Make the left.

El Moro Canyon Loop Hike 13 — And then you're back at the parking lot. That's the hike.

Originally published July 9, 2024