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Daley Ranch Dixon Lake
4.8 ★★★★★ 494 Google reviews · Running trail in Escondido, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 25 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Daley Ranch Dixon Lake's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Lake and hiking-focused preserve featuring picnicking and camping spots, plus scenic trail paths.
What runners say about Daley Ranch Dixon Lake
“Otherwise, it's an absolutely beautiful place to spend the day exploring, hiking, picnicking, fishing, birdwatching and so on!”
“Sage trail turns shady hear the Ranch House just when you need the shade.”
Great place for hiking and biking. Lots of trails to choose from. Mostly easy to moderate hikes. But no shade!
Loads of trails and wildlife to enjoy. We came on a Fri and it wasn't busy at all. The homestead area is pretty neat with old farm equipment and building and There is a restroom and picnic tables in that area.
Great hike. Long but not too difficult. Many places to explore and discover. Saw a rattlesnake but the trail was wide enough to have enough reaction time - be careful out there! Sage trail turns shady hear the Ranch House just when you need the shade.
Large park with rangers post and many facilities. Free parking lot. Only if you drive to Lake Dixon and pass rangers post, you need to pay entrance. In weekends only I believe. Check their site Daley Ranch itself has trails connecting to the lake (southeast) but mostly leading north direction.
Trail conditions & character
“Very nice place to hike mountain bike we did Sage route to Stanley Peak overall hike was was moderate the last half a mile up to Stanley Peak is challenging overall nice view.”
“The parking fills up early, but it seems like there are always people coming and going, so you should be able to get a spot on the street or in the lot.”
“The homestead area is pretty neat with old farm equipment and building and There is a restroom and picnic tables in that area.”
“Sage trail turns shady hear the Ranch House just when you need the shade.”
“There even a black top road to get to ranch house and picnic tables to walk on and push your stroller it is up hill most of the way.”
“There even a black top road to get to ranch house and picnic tables to walk on and push your stroller it is up hill most of the way.”
Plan your run at Daley Ranch Dixon Lake
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance25 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitetrailspotting.com
- Phone+1 760-839-4680
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–7 pm |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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