There's a few Whiting Ranch hiking options, but Red Rock Canyon is the most popular for a good reason. The gently climbing trail makes it way up a oak woodland canyon, eventually ending in a smooth red rock canyon like you'd see in Arizona (but unique to Orange County). Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is rich with wildlife. I often see squirrels and lizards, and less often deer. The hike is mellow, easy, and is great for families.
Keep your eyes open for mule deer around the trail. I see them at the Red Rock Canyon hike almost every time I do it. Early mornings are a good time to spot them. Photo Dcrjsr
Unfortunately, Whiting Ranch has been the location of some mountain lion attacks in recent history, mainly because of the abundance of mule deer, and you'll see lots of warning signs at the trailhead. I realize it's scary, but your chances of being attacked are incredibly miniscule. For peace of mind, you can bring bear spray, which also works on mountain lions (and humans). Please don't let a fear of mountain lions stop you from doing the Red Rocks Canyon hike.
Sunset is a great time to do this hike. When the sun is low, it hits the exposed sandstone red rocks and fills them with even more color.If you don't hike it at sunset, come here as early as you can. This hike is popular and gets crowded.
The parking lot at the trailhead is large but fills quickly. This trail is popular with hikers and mountain bikers.Pay at a kiosk and leave the ticket on the dashboard of your car.There are bathrooms at the trailhead, but none along the trail.
If the parking lot is full, you can try the shopping center across the street. But I didn't say to do that.
Gear For the Hike
You don't really need any special hiking gear to do this hike. Workout gear is fine for this one. Just make sure you have some water, it can get hot during the day.
The hike winds it's way up through residential neighborhoods on the Borrego Canyon Trail. After that, you're in Whiting Ranch park proper.The trails are well marked and pretty easy to follow on this hike, making it great for beginners.
Whiting Ranch Red Rock Canyon Hike Directions
The trailhead is on the right side of the little plaza at the end of the parking lot.If you'd like a map, check the box on the trail board.Here's the start of the hike. Head through the signs and onto the Borrego Canyon Trail.The Borrego Canyon Trail is wide and shady as it makes its way through the oaks.
There are mountain bikes on the trail, but they can only go one way on it (in the same direction you are going).
There can be small water crossings on the trail, depending on the season and rainfall. You should be fine to just hop over them.When you get to the wide-open area, keep going straight. Stay on the trail; there is poison oak in some areas (off-trail).You'll start to see some houses up on the sides of Borrego Canyon in this narrow stretch of Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. It's amazing that the trail goes through suburban Orange County. It feels like it's a world away.Avoid any small side trails. The Borrego Trail is wide and straight.Although the trail has a gentle (and almost unnoticeable) uphill, there are a handful of small rises, with this one being the worst (and pretty minor).When you get to the big intersection with the trail board, you're going to make the right and then follow Mustard Road as it makes a quick left.As you go through that intersection and pass the trail board, you'll clearly see the Mustard Road trail continuing left.A minute or two after the junction, head ot the left at the next junction and go straight through past a bench. Don't make any hard left turns here, just straight through for a minute until the next photo.The trail passes a bench and then the official Red Rock Canyon Trail comes in from the right. Go straight.You'll be in a wash for a second, then make the hard right out of the wash onto the Red Rock Canyon Trail.After that series of intersections, the trail becomes well defined and easy to follow again.The tree cover thins out and you'll be able to get glimpses of the red sandstone in the distance as the trail winds around and crosses some washes. Not far to go from here.You'll also start to see more "Stay on the Trail" signs as you enter this fragile ecosystem.Some sections of the trail can be a bit rocky and can get wet after a rain.And soon everything turn red as you emerge into Red Rock Canyon.This is the end of the hike. You can admire the surrounding sandstone cliffs from this vantage point. You'll also see lots of signs letting you know that the trail ends here and not to climb on the fragile rock.You can continue for a few feet but the trail up the canyon is blocked as well. Respect the signs.
From here, just turn around and go back the way you came!
The Red Rock Canyon area is a fragile ecosystem, and there are many signs asking you to please stay on the trail and respect the land. So please do. If you go off trail, you can be fined, but more importantly, you ruin this special place for future visitors. And recently there has been talk of shutting down Red Rock Canyon completely to protect it from people not following the rules. If you see someone breaking the rules, please give them a friendly reminder that the rules apply to everyone.
