Home › California › Whittier › Turnbull Canyon
Turnbull Canyon
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,558 Google reviews · Running trail in Whittier, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Turnbull Canyon'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.
Former landfill site, closed in 2013 & now landscaped, offering hiking through the Puente Hills.
What runners say about Turnbull Canyon
“Especially, during spring the flowers bloom and the hiking trail becomes very beautiful to walk in.”
“Counter clockwise is shaded incline with an easy decline down.”
Limited parking because of residential permits. About 2 blocks or 10 minutes away from trail, Free or Street parking available near Hoover Elementary School on Alta Ave. Turnbull Canyon, Rattlesnake Ridge, and Sumac Trail Loop Did the whole loop. Counter clockwise is shaded incline with an easy decline down.
Park before trailhead. Elementary school nearby has small lot on weekends. No sidewalk and watch for blind spots on turns before trailhead. No bathrooms or shaded rest areas. Bring water and hat or some sort of shade. Minimal tree cover. Good view of city from both sides of the hilltop.
Allegedly haunted hiking trails with an ascent to a water tower. On a clear day, you can see downtown LA. It’s mostly exposed with limited shade. No restrooms available on the premises.
Yesterday I did a whole 6 miles hike, back and forth, from Turnbull canyon entrance south bound, north sumac trail,north rosehill no.1, skyline dr, back to Turnbull. It was pretty fair, and a total of 3 hours with 5 min breaks in betwee each trail.
Trail conditions & character
“This is a great trail for hiking, usually go during the weekday (because the parking is easier) and it’s never too crowded.”
“Especially, during spring the flowers bloom and the hiking trail becomes very beautiful to walk in.”
“Counter clockwise is shaded incline with an easy decline down.”
“Please keep in mind that there is a total of around 2/3 slopes that will give you a nice incline leg workout.”
“Turnbull Canyon, Rattlesnake Ridge, and Sumac Trail Loop Did the whole loop.”
Plan your run at Turnbull Canyon
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
- 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
- Websitehabitatauthority.org
- Phone+1 562-945-9003
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am–5 pm |
Running trails near Whittier
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Hellman Park Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 815 reviews
Scenic park in the Puente Hills offering hiking trails around a reservoir with canyon & city views.
Penn Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 846 reviews
Streams run through this picturesque park with a waterfall, picnic spots & a children's play area.
Nike Hill
4.7 ★★★★★ 89 reviews
Hiking destination with a trail past a water tower to a lookout from the Cold War era.
Arroyo Pescadero Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 705 reviews
This loop trail in a natural setting has a parking lot & access to the Arroyo San Miguel trail.
Sycamore Canyon Trailhead
4.4 ★★★★☆ 312 reviews
Nature preserve with trails for exploring a habitat for flora and fauna such as deer, coyotes, and butterflies.
Hacienda Hills Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 603 reviews
Hiking locale featuring several moderate & challenging trails & picturesque mountain views.