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Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
4.6 ★★★★★ 257 Google reviews · Running trail in Imperial Beach, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge'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.
Wetland at the confluence of the Tijuana River and the sea, with walking trails, a visitor center, and a beach.
What runners say about Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
“Beautiful place where you can walk your dog, ride a bike out just enjoy a walk/jog.”
“It is a peaceful spot to relax and recharge.”
This place is perfect for bird watchers. There is a great variety of birds living in the small inlets and along the creek. Anyone who loves nature will enjoy spending time here. You can walk through the area in about 40 minutes. It is a peaceful spot to relax and recharge.
This is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve been to. I love the swampland with the view of the mountains and Tijuana in the background. The beach is also very nice and I enjoyed walking around here and seeing the scenery! Highly recommend if you’re near San Diego!
Hiking with the canyoners from the historical museum was a great experience! Their knowledge of plants and nature made the trail much more interesting. The area is wide open and unique, though it can smell a bit, and Sundays are pretty crowded. Overall, a fun and educational outing!
Great place for a walk. Spent 40 minutes there easy and that was a short time. The kids lived seeing the wildlife.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful place where you can walk your dog, ride a bike out just enjoy a walk/jog.”
“It is a peaceful spot to relax and recharge.”
Plan your run at Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- Websitefws.gov
- Phone(619) 221-3473
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–5 PM |
Running trails near Imperial Beach
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 581 reviews
Coastal preserve with a beach, marshes & wildlife, plus a visitor center with trail maps.
Grand Caribe Shoreline Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 113 reviews
Park featuring a beach and opportunities for paddle boarding, fishing, and wildlife watching.
Chula Vista Bayside Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,989 reviews
Public greenway with paved walking trails, a fishing pier & picnic tables, plus bay & city views.