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Turtle Rock Preserve and Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · Running trail in Irvine, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Turtle Rock Preserve and Trail'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.

What runners say about Turtle Rock Preserve and Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (21 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

I live literally right near the trail lol, It is great having coyotes coming to your house when you try to throw away garbage but yeah a bunch of dead bunnies, a bunch, Also really convenient to go to and between schools as its where many people bike to go to the middle school or high school near the area.

★★★★☆ — Shanmukh , Jun 2022

Nice shaded trail with a huge puddle of water that was fun to ride through.

★★★★★ — Marlow , Nov 2023

Amazing preserve park, you enjoy the nature and the trail with all these trees and flowers around.

★★★★☆ — Ayad , Dec 2018

A scenic hiking trail with great route options and excellent hiking opportunities.

★★★★☆ — Sarah , Mar 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 21 reviews →

Plan your run at Turtle Rock Preserve and Trail

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.

Hours

Monday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Saturday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Sunday 6 AM–8:30 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Turtle Rock Preserve and Trail

University Trail, Irvine, CA 92612

Get directions

Running trails near Irvine

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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Turtle Rock Trail

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Turtle Rock Viewpoint

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Hilly park featuring trails for hiking and views of the city and sunsets from the top.

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Chaparral Park

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This community park features a playground, trails & a hillside hike offering panoramic city views.

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Turtle Rock Nature Center

4.5 ★★★★★ 132 reviews

Irvine, CA

PavedScenic

Five-acre nature preserve with trails for viewing wildlife & habitats, plus an outdoor classroom.

1.8 miles away

All running trails in Irvine, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.