【Hike】Oak Canyon Nature Center - Best Wildflower Hike in Anaheim

Thursday, April 6, 2023

【Hike】Oak Canyon Nature Center - Best Wildflower Hike in Anaheim

Last month, my husband and I visited Oak Canyon Nature Center, located in Anaheim Hills, for our first spring hike of this year!

Oak Canyon Nature Center

6700 E Walnut Canyon Road

Anaheim, CA 92807

In this winter, we had a lot of rain in California. That's why I was looking forward to enjoying seeing California blooms after the winter rains were over. However, it has been still raining sometimes here this spring too. In Southern California, some trails are damaged due to heavy rains, and some state parks end up being temporarily closed. That's why it's a little difficult to find perfect trails for spring wildflowers this year.

However, when it's sunny weekends, we will try to go hiking as many days as we can to enjoy this spring. We always check official website to make sure if trails are open before going hiking. It's very important in this rainy season.

We finally found this trail in the book, 50 Hikes in Orange County, which I purchased to enjoy Orange County hike.

Tips for Walking at Oak Canyon Nature Center.
・Apply sunscreen on entire body.
・Wear sunglasses and hat with high UPF.
・Drink water often.
・You cannot bring your dog.
・It's easy trail.

My Oak Canyon Nature Center Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

When I go hiking, I use Under Armour MapMyWalk App to track my walk.

My Oak Canyon Nature Center Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

Last year, I also started using AllTrails App. It's easy to use and helped me to not get lost. If you love hiking, you should try this app. It makes your hiking more enjoyable.

My Oak Canyon Nature Center Walking Summary (All Trails App)

Parking

There is the parking lot. It's free, but it might be difficult to find a parking space during weekends. You can also park along the street, East Walnut Canyon Road.

Oak Canyon Nature Center Parking Lot

It was very easy to find a parking space along the street, East Walnut Canyon Road.

East Walnut Canyon Road

This green line allows you to park here up to two hours.

East Walnut Canyon Road

Trail Hour

Sunrise to Sunset

Parking lot closes at 5 p.m.

The sign says, "Photography or filming requires a permit." That's why I asked the city of Anaheim if I need to get a permit to post photos on my blog, and in my case, I didn't need a permit. Oak Canyon Nature Center is a famous place for wedding photos. If you are planing on taking photos at Oak Canyon Nature Center, you should check their rule, Photography Permits.

John J. Collier Interpretive Center

Oak Canyon Nature Center John J. Collier Interpretive Center

John J. Collier Interpretive Center

Open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There is the Oak Canyon Nature Center John J. Collier Interpretive Center, a small museum with live animals and regional natural history exhibits.

Oak Canyon Nature Center John J. Collier Interpretive Center

Heritage Trail

Heritage Trail

We started hiking on Heritage Trail to go to Roadrunner Ridge.

There are many kinds of cacti.

Roadrunner Ridge

Roadrunner Ridge

We hiked up on the Roadrunner Ridge trail.

We enjoyed seeing wildflowers blooming along the trail.

We enjoyed walking through a garden of beautiful wildflowers.

The trail was narrower and narrower. Sometimes, it was a little difficult to pass another hiker.

I was amazed at spring flowers! It was a perfect season to hike here.

Sandstone Caves

Wild Cucumber

These prickly fruits are wild cucumbers, which are not edible.

We kept walking on Roadrunner Ridge trail.

Then, we went up these railroad-tie steps.

Walnut Canyon Reservoir

At the top of the hill, there was Walnut Canyon Reservoir. The length of the paved path surrounding Walnut Canyon Reservoir is 1.7 miles. We passed it this time, and went down the hill.

On your left, you will see a chain-link fence 100 feet away. On your right, it's Bluebird Loop trail.

Bluebird Loop

We walked on the Bluebird Loop trail, which runs alongside the creek.

Stream Trail

Then, we walked on the Stream trail.

We walked under the shade of trees.

There were numerous acorns on the grounds. 　

There are some benches you can sit and rest along the trail.

On the Stream Trail, you will see the Oak Canyon Mine, which is an informative display to learn the mining in Silverado Canyon.

There is a little play area with displays for kids. This is located in front of the interpretive center.

We really enjoyed hiking at Oak Canyon Nature Center. It was a short 2-mile hike, but I really enjoyed seeing dense and varied wildflowers along the path. It was a perfect time for spring flowers.