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Rattlesnake Canyon Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 196 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Barbara, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rattlesnake Canyon Park'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.
Miles of wooded canyon trails for hikers only (bikes prohibited) with creek access & scenic views.
What runners say about Rattlesnake Canyon Park
“It's a challenging hike, with beautiful views of the Pacific, Channel Islands, and the Central Coast if you get high enough.”
A great park and hiking area with some amazing trails up the canyon which follows a creek in the canyon. Even in early September there was plenty of water flowing and a few small waterfalls and sights to see.
My favorite starting point to hike. 2.3miles(one way) from trailhead to Gibraltar road and one EXCELLENT view! Starts following a stream in the canyon and rises out into the mtns. Terrain is single track, varied surface with fairly constant gradient. Motsly shade.
Definitely some of the best hiking in the area. You can take the trails up and turn around whenever is convenient (there are great views along the way that make it easy to hit a good "turn around" spot) or you can keep following them up until they connect with the Inspiration Point or Tunnel trails.
It's a challenging hike, with beautiful views of the Pacific, Channel Islands, and the Central Coast if you get high enough. Please be sure to bring water, and watch your footing. The trails have lots of big rocks, and twisting an ankle is a realistic problem to look out for.
Trail conditions & character
“It's a challenging hike, with beautiful views of the Pacific, Channel Islands, and the Central Coast if you get high enough.”
Plan your run at Rattlesnake Canyon Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- Phone+1 805-897-2524
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 Santa Barbara
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Rattlesnake Canyon Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 209 reviews
Scenic, kid-friendly trail winding through a stream-filled ravine with a waterfall, plus a meadow.
Skofield Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 157 reviews
Wilderness area supplying creek access & a half-mile loop road dotted with picnic tables & boulders.
Inspiration Point Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 445 reviews
Scenic 4-mile, mostly uphill hike with a dirt trail for about 2 miles and an overlook of Santa Barbara.
Parma Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 155 reviews
Mountaintop views & 5 miles of trails are featured in Santa Barbara's largest city park.