Miles of hiking trails and coastal accesses around the county are maintained by San Luis Obispo County Park Rangers and County Parks’ Volunteers. Whether you’re looking for a short walk to California’s beautiful coastline or a challenging hike through sweeping hillsides, we hope you “Think Outside” and come hike with us.
New Parks and Trail Interactive Map App!
County of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation invites you to try our new interactive map application. Click here to visit our Parks & Trail View web application at to search for County parks and trails. Whether you’re looking for a new adventure or your favorite local park you can find it using our new Parks & Trail View map application on your desktop, tablet or handheld phone.
Santa Margarita Lake
Grey Pine: 3.3 miles one-way to Vaca Flat, moderate, multi-use.
Lakeside: (unmarked)1.5 miles, dirt road along lake shore from Marina to White Oak, easy, multi-use.
Blinn: 9.2 miles one-way (out and back mandatory), moderate to strenuous, multi-use.
Sapwi: spur off Blinn after 3.4 miles, accessing Khus Camp (1 mile) and Sapwi Camp (2 miles), moderate, multi-use.
Sandstone: 2.7 miles one-way (out and back mandatory), moderate to strenuous, multi-use.
East River Road (Staging area for Blinn & Sandstone): 10 miles east of Santa Margarita Lake.
Rocky: 1.8 miles one-way (out and back mandatory), moderate to strenuous, multi-use.
Lopez Lake Recreation Area
Marina: 0.4 miles, moderate, hiking, biking.
Rocky Point: 0.4 miles, easy, hiking.
Blackberry Springs: 0.8 miles, moderate, self-guided interpretive, hiking.
High Ridge: 2.3 miles, strenuous, multi-use.
Wittenberg Arm: 1 mile, easy, multi-use.
Duna Vista: 7.2 miles, moderate hike, multi-use, a local favorite to hiker, mountain bikers and equestrians. Scenic oak woodland, great views of the lake, surrounding mountain rangers and valleys and don’t forget the scenic overlook with a glimpse of the ocean.
Turkey Ridge: 0.8 miles, strenuous, hiking.
Hi Mountain: 7 miles, moderate to strenuous, multi-use (two miles east of Lopez Lake on Hi Mountain Road).
El Chorro Regional Park & Campground
Oak Woodland: 1.5 miles, moderate, hiking only, cool riparian area along Dairy Creek and in a beautiful setting of coast live oaks and seasonal flowers.
Eagle Rock: 0.7 miles, strenuous, hiking with scenic views on Eagle Rock.
Heilmann Regional Park
Blue Oak: 1.3 mile path around park perimeter, hiking and biking only.
Jim Green Trail: 1.7 miles, moderate, multi-use.
Bob Jones Pathway
1.0 miles from the Ontario Road Staging Area to San Luis Bay Drive. This busy pathway draws hikers, bikers, runners, and moms with strollers. It is a meandering trail that leads to the Avila Beach community and is adjacent to Avila Bay Estates and Avila Beach Golf Course. A very popular trail among locals.
To view use figures click on the link: Eco-Counter
Bishop Peak
Bishop Peak has many routes along the edge that can be moderate to strenuous with the most popular route starting at Patricia Avenue in San Luis Obispo. The 4.0 miles round-trip will take you to the top. Great views of the mountains and coastline once you make it to the top.
If you have any questions regarding trail use please contact Parks Staff at the following locations
Lopez Lake Recreation Area – 805.788.2381
Santa Margarita Lake Recreation & Natural Area – 805.781.2397
Some trail maps available on the San Luis Obispo Parks Open Space & Trails Foundation (SLOPOST) website at www.slopost.org
