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Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 53 Google reviews · Running trail in Newport Beach, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area'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.
Scenic park with a one-way path popular for walking, driving, biking and hiking, plus a lake view.
What runners say about Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area
“Beautiful view and walking trails, free parking, drive slow on this one way street, follow the speed limit signs, and share the road with bikers and hikers!”
This is a nice viewpoint and you can see some wildlife here. You can only drive here one way, but you can walk/cycle here both directions.
They have a nice walking / biking / driving trail. There are limited restroom facilities (portables) and a small parking lot. Very scenic and a great place to exercise and enjoy nature.
Very beautiful. Love it here. You can drive, walk, or bike the trail along the water. The driving path is one way from south to north, so plan accordingly and enter off of Backbay.
Open during covid and restricted to cars. Perfect for a bike ride , running, and skateboarding.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful view and walking trails, free parking, drive slow on this one way street, follow the speed limit signs, and share the road with bikers and hikers!”
“Beautiful view and walking trails, free parking, drive slow on this one way street, follow the speed limit signs, and share the road with bikers and hikers!”
“There are limited restroom facilities (portables) and a small parking lot.”
Plan your run at Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area
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.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitewildlife.ca.gov
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Newport Beach
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Back Bay View Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 127 reviews
Water-focused campground offering paddle boards and kayak rentals, plus walking trails.
Vista Point
4.8 ★★★★★ 240 reviews
Park featuring paved paths and scenic vistas along the Back Bay, plus wild birds.
Castaways Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 462 reviews
Paved paths along the water here offer sweeping views of the bay & the ocean, plus parking.
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,272 reviews
Home to many bird species, this 135-acre park offers an interpretive center & hiking/biking trails.