This piece of land—just shy of 1,000 acres—is a crucial wildlife corridor, providing one of the last deer migration routes between the Santa Ana Mountains and Chino Hills. It's also home to one of the world's few surviving Tecate cypress stands, providing permanent protection to this native Southern California tree.
Park Information
Coal Canyon Trail, Anaheim, CA
The park is open daily between 7:00 a.m. and sunset.
Irvine Ranch Conservancy and other organizations host interpretive programs year-round, including evening walks, family-friendly hikes, and mountain biking clinics.
956acres of the Reserve's protected landTBD512kacres of woodlands are connected by this corridor
More about Coal Canyon Ecological Reserve
It’s not only deer that traverse the land of the Coal Canyon Ecological Reserve. Advanced hikers and adventurous mountain bikers also seek out this area of the NROC—the 10-mile trek through Coal Canyon is on mostly unshaded trails, which gain about 2,000 feet in elevation. If you’re up to the challenge, you can access the area at the Santa Ana River Trail in Corona.
The specialness of this space goes beyond its impressive terrain. It’s also one of only four places in the entire world where the rare Tecate Cypress tree exists. Keep an eye out for this Southern California native’s vibrant green foliage and reddish bark. Coal Canyon’s ancient Tecate Cypress stand was devastated in a wildfire, but continues to regenerate thanks to the preservation happening on the Reserve.
Choose your own adventure: Coal Canyon's got the nature. How do you want to enjoy it?
Expect the unexpected on your adventure. Tell a friend or family member where you are going and what time you plan to return, keep an eye on local weather reports, bring plenty of water, and carry emergency essentials with you. Some areas of the NROC do not have cell service, so you may not be able to rely on your smartphone for routing or communication. It’s smart to have a warm layer, rain jacket, and headlamp in your pack, along with means to stay hydrated and fueled beyond what you expect you’ll need, especially in the more remote areas of the Reserve.
Each park within the NROC has its own activities, hours, and guidelines, all rooted in respect for the land. Before you visit, check out their site so there are no surprises.
Nurturing the beauty of this nature is a communal effort—love your wild by taking nothing from the Reserve and leave no trace behind.
You are bound to see some exciting wildlife on the Reserve, and we do mean wild. Respecting the animals’ space will ensure your safety and theirs.
Though encountering them is rare, some larger or venomous animals could be threatening—the best thing to do is stay calm and be prepared. If you encounter a mountain lion, maintain eye contact, speak firmly, make yourself look larger, and slowly back away—do not crouch or run. If you see a snake on the trail, stop and give it space—most bites happen when people try to move or handle snakes. Walk around from a safe distance.
Ticks are also a natural part of Orange County’s wildlands, especially in grassy or brushy areas. Stay on designated trails, wear long sleeves and pants, and do a tick check after your hike. A little awareness goes a long way!
We’ve got hundreds of miles of established trails—staying on them ensures your safety and minimizes disruption of the incredible habitats you’re exploring.
E-bikes are great for urban settings. And hugely destructive for natural spaces. To ensure our habitats’ survival, e-bikes are not permitted on the Reserve.
We love dogs, but even leashed pets disrupt natural habitats. Help us keep the Reserve’s ecosystems in balance by either leaving your dog(s) at home or making sure you bring them to a dog-friendly area of the Reserve. Find out more about the parks that welcome pets here.
Take a few deep breaths instead! This safeguards the health of other visitors, prevents waste and wildfires, and protects our plant and animal life from pollution.
The Reserve is a thriving ecosystem of thousands of plant and animal species. Here are a few that call Coal Canyon home.
