Chino Hills State Park

UPDATE (Aug. 24, 2020) - Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors.  As a reminder, Californians are encouraged to avoid road trips and stay close to home, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when a physical distance of six feet from others who are not from the immediate household members cannot be maintained, and avoid congregating. Everyone has the responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

Here are some additional guidelines for locals visiting Chino Hills State Park:

What is open now?
  • The park is open for day-use from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • No transactions at entrance station. Automatic pay machines or pay by phone only.
  • Trails - all active recreation will be permitted such as hiking, running, mountain biking, and bird watching, and equestrian use rules and regulations are now posted at all trailheads and will continue to be enforced.
  • Only restrooms in the proximity of the parking lots will be available.
  • Picnic tables and benches.

What is currently closed?
  • Visitor center and tours.
  • Campground is closed due to a park improvement project. It is expected to open January 15, 2021.

Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:

  • Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park to allow for the required physical distance.
  • Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash. Restrooms will be temporarily closed in order to keep up with cleaning schedules.
  • Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.

Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. Even though the department has increased access across the State Park System, the need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical.

For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.

Phone Number

(951) 780-6222

Max. Trailer Lengths

Trailer: 28 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 28 Feet

Park Hours

October - March
8am-5pm 7 Days a Week

April - September
8am-7pm 7 Days a Week

Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Dogs allowed only on paved roads and in campgrounds. Dogs not allowed on park trails.

Driving Directions to Chino Hills SP

The park is located 10 miles northwest of Corona. Take the 91-Freeway to Highway 71-North, turn left at Soquel Canyon. Proceed to Elinvar and turn left. Elinvar merges into Sapphire on the left, the park entrance is located on the right. 4721 Sapphire Road; Chino Hills, CA 91709

View on Map

Camping and Lodging

Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.

Online Reservations

Upcoming Park Events

No events scheduled at this moment.

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Primitive Camping
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Vista Point
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Museums
Family Programs
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available

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Trail Closures

Please be advised that the following trails are closed due to erosional damage and hazardous conditions:

Hills For Everyone Trail is currently closed

North Ridge Trail is closed between where it intersects at Telegraph Canyon Trailhead east to Gilman Trail. 

You can find a FAQ sheet for North Ridge Trail HERE

Please Remember

GATE HOURS:  

The gates are locked in the evenings during the following hours:

5:00pm October 1st - 1st Sunday in April

7:00pm 1st Sunday in April - September 30th

Gates open at 8:00 am.

When gates are locked, there is no vehicle access into or out of the campground.

EMERGENCIES AFTER THE PARK IS CLOSED – CALL 911  

Information regarding the gate closure is available at the park and online at the State Park website.  While some campers may be inconvenienced by the nightly closure, an extra level of security is provided by eliminating vehicles driving in the park that are not associated with campers.  Not having these vehicles in the park at night reduces the hazard to children and pedestrians, reduces noise and vandalism, and reduces opportunities for theft of camping gear. 

Rattlesnake SignAre there any rattlesnakes?   -    The answer is, "Yes!"

The 2 most common rattlesnakes you will see here are the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake and the Red Diamond Rattlesnake. The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake is the one you will most likely run into in the park. If you do see a rattlesnake while hiking, stop and wait until the snake leaves the area. It has mostly likely felt you coming from the vibrations you've made walking on the trail. If it doesn't leave, turn around and notify a park employee or volunteer. Snakes are more willing to leave you alone and find something more manageable to strike and eat (unless you try to take a selfie with it). Notify a park employee so that the snake can be returned to a more suitable location to live. Do not try to relocate or pickup the snake yourself.

Park Information

Drinking Water

Drinking water is only available at the park Discovery Center in Brea

and at Bane Canyon kiosk in Chino Hills.

There is no drinking water at the Rolling M Ranch parking area.

Tips to Safely Enjoy Chino Hills State Park Year Round

It is important for visitors to plan their outdoor adventure at Chino Hills State Park or any any other wilderness area appropriately. Simple actions such as taking plenty of water (1 gallon/per person/day) and food, and knowing that cell coverage is extremely limited or non-existent can help you be better prepared to safely enjoy the park. 

Below you will find just a few tips to safely enjoy our wilderness park:

Cell Phone Use

  • Cell phone coverage is spotty or nonexistent. Have a way to communicate if there is an emergency.

First Aid Kit

  • Bring a first aid kit and become familiar with it.

Outdoor Plan

  • Leave an itinerary of your trip with a family member or friend with information such as name and age of hikers/campers, trailhead or campsite name and location, and expected return date.

Hiking/Camping

  • Make sure to have plenty of water and food for duration of your trip to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
  • Check Weather. Weather can change instantly.
  • Dress appropriately with layers of clothing and appropriate shoes such as hiking boots and close-toed shoes.
  • Mark tents and ropes so they are visible at night.
  • Keep it clean: pack it in & pack it out.

We offer fun events year round from guided hikes to star gazing.

Visit our Programs and Events Page for more about our exciting interpretive offerings.

Self-Guided Activities

Children's Outdoor Parks Passport

Junior Ranger Adventure Guide

Chino Hills State Park is nestled in the foothills surrounded by the communities of Corona, Chino Hills, Yorba Linda, and Brea. The State Routes 57, 71, 91, and 142 border or are the near the park for easy travelling and accessibility from almost anywhere in Southern California.   
 
You can access the park and the trails from:. 

Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center - Brea
4500 Carbon Canyon Road (State Route 142)
Brea, California 92823

Quarter Horse Drive Trailhead - Yorba Linda
Quarter Horse Drive is located off of Fairmont Blvd. in the city of Yorba Linda.
Fairmont Blvd. intersects Yorba Linda Blvd. between Imperial Highway and the 91 freeway.  

Sapphire Road - Chino Hills 
The park entrance located at 4721 Sapphire Road (Elinvar Road) in Chino Hills 
From SR71 head West on Soquel Canyon Road turn left onto Elinvar Rd.


 
Nearby State Parks
California Citrus State Historic Park
9400 Dufferin Avenue
Riverside, California 92504
951-780-6222

Lake Perris State Recreation Area
11 miles south of Riverside
17801 Lake Perris Drive
Perris, California 92571
951-940-5600

Campfires - ARE NOT PERMITTED As of May 21, 2012

Park Closure - The park will close for at least 48 hours following rain of more than one quarter inch. High clay content in the soil causes “greased” trails and roads. Use during this time makes hiking, bicycling and equestrian activities hazardous and causes severe rutting of trail and road surfaces. The park is also closed during times of extreme fire danger, when the National Weather Service announces a Red Flag Warning.

Trails - For safety’s sake, stay on designated trails and don’t hike alone. Be aware of wildlife, especially rattlesnakes.

Dogs - Dogs are not allowed at Chino Hills State Park except at Bane Canyon Road, the Rolling M Ranch day use area, the Rolling M. Ranch Campgrounds, and day use areas at the Discovery Center. They must be on leash at all times and are not allowed in the backcountry or on trails. Pets must not be left alone at any time.  Dogs are not allowed at any other locations. 

Speed Limit - 15 mph for all vehicles and bicycles.

Vehicles off road - Motor vehicles may not be driven off road or in the back country.  Vehicles are allowed on pavement and in designated parking lots only.

Drinking Water - Available at the Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center, the Rolling M Ranch area, and the Equestrian Staging area.

Smoking - Smoking is not allowed  

Trash - Pack it in, pack it out!

Weapons - Weapons of any kind are prohibited.

Collecting - Animals, plants, rocks, dirt and artifacts are protected by law and may not be disturbed or collected.

Chino Hills SP Posted Orders