Santa Margarita River Trail

5.7 miles - Moderate Effort
Or: 3 miles all flat
2-3 Hours (Total)
630 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 490 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Santa Margarita River Trail hike is a true gem. The hike follows the shady shores of the Santa Margarita River, Southern California's last undiverted, free-flowing river, home to over a hundred species of animals. The peaceful river banks also hold glimpses into the area's past, including Native American artifacts and relics of a railroad that once connected San Diego to the outside world. Today the Santa Margarita River Trail is protected and well-marked thanks to the non-profit Wildlands Conservancy. It's a beautiful trail that's easy, with a flat 3 mile option or a longer 5.7 hike to a hidden beach.

In this Guide:

Santa Margarita River Trail Video and Turn by Turn Directions
Getting to the Hike & Tips
Why the Santa Margarita River Trail Is So Special

Quick Links: Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Sep 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

These trails were voted #1 out of San Diego County's top 50 trails by San Diego Magazine.

Where is the Santa Margarita River Trail?

The start of the Santa Margarita River Trail is located in the northern part of San Diego County at:
4251 River Edge Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028

The Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve is open from 8am-5pm every day. Outside of those hours the gates are closed and you cannot park on the street and walk in early. This lets the wildlife have the space they need when they are most active.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 1 — These impressive gates are at the entrance.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 2 — The lot is big but does fill up; this is a popular hike.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 3 — Be conscious of the time and make sure you are back before closing.

There are porta-potties at the trailhead.

Gear for the Hike

This is a pretty easy and mellow hike. Make sure you bring enough water (1-2L); it can still be hot with the shade. Bugs can be a problem and insect repellant is helpful. Light hiking gear or fitness-wear work well here.

My Latest Gear Picks

Garmin inReach Mini 2 ( Amazon | REI )
HOKA Speedgoat 5 ( Men | Women )
Zpacks Sub-Nero Ultra ( Zpacks | Review )
Alpine Carbon Cork Poles ( REI | Amazon )

As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My September 2023 Top Gear Picks

Santa Margarita River Trail Maps

The trail and preserve is run by the Wildlands Conservancy, the largest nonprofit nature preserve system in California. While there are some twists and turns, the trails are well-marked and easy to follow.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 17 — If you pick up a free map from the trailhead, look for corresponding markers on the trail to locate your position.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 12 — Stay on the trails and let nature have its space.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 41 — Share the trail with horses.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 11 — If you look at the map, the Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve has many other trials. A good number of them are geared to equestrians, and this is what it looks like when you see a river crossing on a horse trail. The hike in this guide doesn't have any water crossings like this though.

There's no swimming in the river; give the wildlife its space and stay on the trail.

Hike Brief

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 42 — At one point, the California Southern Railroad ran along this trail. The railroad is long gone, but you can still spot a relic or two like this old rail (waypoint in the GPX file).

The Santa Margarita River is one of the only (or maybe the only) river in Southern California that remains un-diverted, un-channeled, and un-dammed. The Preserve forms a vital habitat link between the Santa Ana Mountains and inland San Diego County.
The protected status of the land has made it a haven for wildlife. Keep your eyes open for hawks, mule deer, or some of the other 100+ animals that call the area home.
This fertile area was originally home to the native Luiseño peoples, and you can still see some stone mortars where they ground acorns into flour.
In 1882 the California Southern Railroad ran through here, connecting San Diego with Temecula, Barstow and the transcontinental railway. Floods destroyed the line and it was abandoned in favor of the coastal route that is used today by Amtrak.
For 80 years the local power company tried to dam the river for a hydroelectric project. They abandoned the effort and the non-profit Wildlands Conservancy purchased the land in 2018.

Santa Margarita River Hike Directions

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Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 5 — The trailhead is at the end of the parking lot.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 6 — Check the trail boards for any notices and pick up a free map if you need one. Since the park is free and run by a non-profit, I strongly recommend leaving a couple of bucks in the donation box if you can afford it.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 7 — Head past the signs and porta-potties to start on the trail.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 8 — Avoid the horse trails to the left and head straight.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 9 — You'll start to get a taste of the shade.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 10 — When you get to the narrower rocky section, you can go either way, they both join together later. We'll follow the narrow section along the riverside.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 13 — The narrow section winds around the canyon...

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 14 — And eventually opens up to be a wide trail once again.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 15 — A nice feature of the hike are the benches spaced out along the entire trail.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 16 — Avoid the small trail to the right and continue along the river.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 18 — The trail widens and meanders under trees. Sections like this that are wide and steady are generally where the old railroad tracks were.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 43 — Keep your eyes open for evidence of native peoples (the stone mortar holes on top of this rock) and the railroad (the long cut in the rock used to blast with dynamite). I have a waypoint for this rock in the GPX file.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 19 — Hike right away from the equestrian river crossing to the left.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 20 — The trail continues through the boulders.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 40 — Bear right to head up and away from the river.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 21 — More nice shaded trail.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 22 — Okay, this is an important intersection. Make the counterintuitive right turn.

If you want to do the shorter 3 mile flat hike, just go left at the last junction, down to the water, enjoy, and then turn around and hike back the way you came.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 23 — You'll start hiking uphill.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 24 — Make the right as the trail joins another.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 25 — And at the top of the hill make the hard left turn.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 26 — After the turn you'll start heading downhill. You'll also be treated to some great views.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 27 — At the bottom of the hill is a small gully crossing (usually dry).

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 28 — After the gully and then a bench, start looking back to your left for the ruins of an old car. When the power company owned the land you could evidently drive down here.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 29 — After the car there's a small uphill and junction, hike to the left.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 30 — Keep your eyes open for wildlife.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 31 — The trail gently heads uphill, above the river below.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 32 — At the bottom of the hill hike to the left.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 33 — And then make the quick right after that to rejoin the river.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 34 — When you get to the junction for the trail along Rainbow Creek, hike to the left.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 35 — And then hop over the rocks to cross Rainbow Creek.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 36 — After a while you'll reach another park entrance. Make the sharp left to continue on the trail.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 37 — And then keep left as the sandy trail meanders through the scrub.

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 38 — And eventually you'll come out at a sandy beach, the offical end of the Santa Margarita River Trail

Santa Margarita River Trail Directions 39 — Enjoy the scenery and shade at the beach and then just go back the way you came to finish the hike.

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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