Canyoneer Hikes

Take a hike.

Lace up your hiking shoes and take in that fresh air with our Canyoneers. For 50 years, these volunteer naturalists have offered free, guided hikes throughout the county. They're here to help you get to know San Diego County's wild spaces like no one else, whether you join a guided hike or hit the trails on your own time. As always, learn how to be prepared and hike responsibly.

Guided hikes

These Canyoneer-led hikes take place from September 2023 through June 2024. The hikes are free, but in order to help create the best experience for hikers and the least impact on the environment, capacity is limited and advance online registration is required. Registration will open to museum members five weeks prior to the hike date and publicly open one month prior to the hike date. The Canyoneers program is made possible with support from dedicated volunteers and proud partner Subaru of America.

If a hike is at capacity, you'll see a notification when you try to RSVP: Sold Out! / ¡Agotado! This event has sold out. / Este evento esta agotado. You can always check back at a later date to see if any capacity has opened.


  • 23 Mar
    William Heise County Park (Desert View)
    • Saturday, March 23, 2024 8 AM
  • 24 Mar
    Dictionary Hill Open Space Preserve (Barcelona Trail)
    • Sunday, March 24, 2024 9 AM
  • 30 Mar
    Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (Five Groves & Torote Bowl)
    • Saturday, March 30, 2024 10 AM
  • 31 Mar
    Ramona Grasslands County Preserve (Wildflower Loop Trail)
    • Sunday, March 31, 2024 9 AM
More Hikes Map


Choose your own trail

Want to strike out on your own? Check out curated lists of our favorite trails and learn about the wildlife you can experience along the way. From paved walking paths to adrenaline-inducing climbs with epic views, the trail systems of southern California will not disappoint. To find out as soon as they're published, subscribe to our newsletter.

In celebration of their 50 year anniversary, we sat down with three Canyoneers, Daniel, Maritza, and Samantha, to discuss the value of time spent in nature, favorite spots around the county, and dreams for the next 50 years.   Read more.


Night hikes, evening strolls, and crepuscular critters. Beat the heat of the day with some of our Canyoneers’ favorite sunset trails and spots for starry night skies.   Read more.


Four Favorite Wildflower Walks

Posted: March 22, 2022

Wildflower season is here! There are lots of trails where you can see wildflowers in San Diego County (especially after a wet winter), but our Canyoneers have picked some lesser-known hikes where you can spot those beautiful blooms.  Read more.


Five Best Hikes for Kids

Posted: December 7, 2021

San Diego County has lots of fun, kid-friendly trails, but where to start? And what counts as a kid-friendly trail anyway? Getting out in nature together can make for incredible memories and spark a lifelong love of nature, so our Canyoneers are making it easy with some of their favorite trails for kids.  Read more.


Explore More

Hike responsibly

The key to a successful and memorable hike is preparation as well as following rules of courtesy and safety. More.

Subaru loves our Canyoneers

We’re hitting the road—and the trails—with support from Subaru of America, a proud partner of the Canyoneers program. Keep your eyes peeled for our Subaru Outback, which is used by our researchers, educators, and Canyoneers. You might even see it at the trailhead.

Meet the Canyoneers

One of the few trail-guide groups nationwide affiliated with a natural history museum rather than a park or reserve, Canyoneers have provided free guided tours in San Diego County since 1973. More.

Trail guide now available

Check out the new trail guide written by the Canyoneers. It details more than 250 trails in the region and highlights our local habitats. More.

Nature, delivered to your inbox

Nature nerd? Get info about Canyoneer recommended hikes and the great outdoors delivered to your inbox. Sign up.