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Peters Canyon South Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 725 Google reviews · Running trail in Tustin, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 4 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Peters Canyon South Trailhead'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.
Popular canyon habitat encompassing a lake and a network of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
What runners say about Peters Canyon South Trailhead
“Great trail with nice views and some challenging uphill climbs, but an overall easy hike with well maintained areas.”
“It has a little bit of everything, flat, up hill, rocky, sandy, has beautiful trees, and benches here an there to rest.”
“It wasn’t too busy during the week, just be sure to take plenty of water as the trails I took had hardly any shade.”
“Great trail with nice views and some challenging uphill climbs, but an overall easy hike with well maintained areas.”
Probably my favorite trail in Irvine! Its so beautiful here and peaceful. Although, there are always people here and can sometimes be a little busy for a hike.. other than that, there are lots of mountains with good incline. You can really work up a sweat. The scenery is very pretty, and the size of this place is huge.
One of my go to trails. It is a 4 mile walk filled with in and declines for a great hour+ workout! Do bring water for your dog and avoid taking your furry one in a hot summer day. The upper part of the trail does not have much, if any, shade to cool down from. That also means wear your sunscreen!!!
Last visit here was during the summer where it was all dead. Now it's nice and green especially with the recent rain. Lake is not dried up and a few wildflowers here and there throughout the area. Trails with the inclines make for some nice views.
This is a nice trail to visit on the weekends. It’s not too busy and there are many small birds, critters, and little rabbits that live here; which you’ll see when you walk the trail!
Trail conditions & character
“It has a little bit of everything, flat, up hill, rocky, sandy, has beautiful trees, and benches here an there to rest.”
“It has a little bit of everything, flat, up hill, rocky, sandy, has beautiful trees, and benches here an there to rest.”
“Parking is usually very busy along Peters Canyon Road but you can park at Cedar Grove Park and walk along a dirt trail to reach the trailhead.”
“It wasn’t too busy during the week, just be sure to take plenty of water as the trails I took had hardly any shade.”
“Do bring water for your dog and avoid taking your furry one in a hot summer day.”
“Parking is usually very busy along Peters Canyon Road but you can park at Cedar Grove Park and walk along a dirt trail to reach the trailhead.”
“We do about a 4 mile loop and it’s the perfect way to get out and about in the early morning before it gets too hot.”
“It has a little bit of everything, flat, up hill, rocky, sandy, has beautiful trees, and benches here an there to rest.”
Plan your run at Peters Canyon South Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance4 mi back to where you parked
- 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.
- Websiteocparks.com
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 |
Running trails near Tustin
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Bent Tree Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 75 reviews
Neighborhood park featuring a playground, open space and street parking.
Cedar Grove Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 576 reviews
Family-friendly park with playgrounds and covered picnic areas, plus a basketball area.
Citrus Ranch Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 755 reviews
Park with a lemon orchard, a playground, picnic areas with grills & a hilltop gazebo with views.
Tustin Sports Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 538 reviews
Athletic complex with basketball & tennis courts, baseball & soccer fields & a shaded playground.
