Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills for Kid-Friendly Hiking

Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills offers kid-friendly hiking within the larger regional trail system.

It’s tucked into a natural area beyond the Anaheim Hills Golf Course off Nohl Ranch Road. 

Our excursion to this secluded spot provided my 4 year old and me with a great morning adventure. I had no idea what to expect when we started our drive. 

Now we’ve been back so many times with the whole family. It is a family favorite spot on my list of 17+ Family-Friendly Nature Centers in Orange County.

Directions to Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills: There are a lot of ways to reach Oak Canyon Nature Center, but I’m thinking the 55 Freeway to the 91 might be the most direct.  Take the Imperial Highway exit and turn left at E. Nohl Ranch Road and left again at Walnut Canyon Road (if you hit Serrano you’ve gone too far).  Drive to the dead end and make a left into the parking lot. The restrooms and picnic area are adjacent to the parking lot.  MAP to Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills

Highlights:

The approach, on foot, to this nature center is awesome.  Once you park your car, you get to walk on a wooded path before discovering the center.

The Heritage Trail directly in front of the nature center provides some interactive play opportunities for the kids.  It’s peaceful on the trails with lots of birds and small wildlife.

The welcome sign and Trail Guide (available outside the Interpretive Center) provide great info for your visit.

There’s an amphitheater for the kids to put on pretend plays and dance shows right near the creek.

I loved the creek, ducks, waterfalls and bridges. Nature hikes always seem more fun when there’s water around!

This is a place where you can spend hours or even just 10 minutes to see waterfalls, wildlife and get a dose of nature.

Be Aware:

• Interpretive Center open limited days Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun, usually from 10am-4pm
• Dogs are absolutely not allowed here
• The Trail Guide warns “collecting, smoking, bicycles, and pets are not allowed”
• Restrooms and picnic area are near the parking lot – because they don’t want food on the trails
• Stay on the trail – tons of poison oak patches especially near the stream and, as always in natural areas,  there’s a chance you’ll run into a rattlesnake. You’re less likely to be surprised by one if you stay on the trail.
• It can feel secluded, so you might want to go as a family or with friends. However, the Trail Guide says “The Anaheim Park Rangers and Anaheim Police Department regularly patrol the park.”
• This park can close due to high wind warnings because of wildfire danger
• Parking lot gates and restrooms locked at 5pm
• Thanks to the reader who sent me this note: “I parked outside the lot along the road coming in, where there are green parking signs. However I got a ticket because it was a street sweep day! Tuesday mornings you are not supposed to park on the street. I just wanted to put out a note because the sweep signs were nowhere near the parking signs.” So now you have a heads up about Tuesday mornings! It’s always so helpful to have the community come in with their experiences and tips.

Checklist:

• Trails open from dusk to dark, 7 days a week — however, the website notes that the parking lot gates and restrooms are locked at 5pm.
• Interpretive center open 10am-4pm on T/Th/Sat/Sun
• Eat at the picnic tables near the parking lot – since according to Trail Guide “picnicking is restricted within park grounds”
• Drinking fountains throughout – but I’d bring a backpack with basic hiking supplies (band-aids, sunscreen, water, baby wipes, etc.)
• Parking is free, but they suggest a $5 donation for your visit
• They have family programs, host birthday parties, and day camps
• Official City of Anaheim page for Oak Canyon Nature Center
  • Trail map and hours of the nature center info
• Nearest public library branch: Canyon Hills Branch of Anaheim Public Libraries

Parks Nearby Oak Canyon Nature Center

• Imperial Park
• Fred Barrera Park
• Serrano Park

Originally published November 2009.