Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is an OC Parks wilderness area of about 2,500 acres in the foothills above Foothill Ranch, near Lake Forest and Trabuco Canyon. Its riparian and oak woodland canyons, grassy hills, and coastal sage scrub and chaparral slopes are crossed by three seasonal creeks (Borrego, Serrano and Aliso), and the park is best known for the red rock formations of Red Rock Canyon. Bits of the area's cattle-ranching past still turn up along the trails.
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is not a traditional park with playgrounds and picnic areas. This is a wilderness park that consists primarily of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Please stay on designated trails. Electric vehicles including ebikes and escooters are not permitted on the trails here.
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park at a Glance
| Address | 26701 Portola Parkway, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610 (Borrego Parking Lot) |
| Second lot | Glenn Ranch Road Parking Lot, 27901 Glenn Ranch Rd., Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679 (OC Parks notes it may not map correctly in apps) |
| Park hours | 7 a.m. to sunset daily, year-round, except after rain |
| Office hours | 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily |
| Parking | $3 daily; machine takes $1 bills, quarters, Visa/Mastercard, or an OC Parks Annual Pass |
| Phone | 949-923-2245 |
| WhitingRanch@ocparks.com | |
| Trails | 23 trails, about 17 miles; Red Rock Canyon and Billy Goat are hiking only |
| Dogs | Not permitted (horses OK) |
| E-bikes | Not allowed on unpaved park trails (classes 1–3) |
| Restrooms | Portable restrooms only, at the Borrego and Glenn Ranch lots |
| Rain | Trails may close for up to 3 days after rain |
| Website & map | OC Parks page · Park map (PDF) |
Check before you go: Trails may close for up to three days after rain, and closures are posted on the OC Parks alerts page. You can also call the park office at 949-923-2245. Bring plenty of water, and plan to be off the trails by sunset.
What’s At Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Trails
The park has 17 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use. There are 23 trails in total to explore. The Red Rock Canyon and Billy Goat trails are reserved for hikers only. The Red Rock Canyon trail leads to the park's signature red rock formations. Whiting Ranch also links into the OC Parks Regional Trails system, including the Aliso Creek Riding and Hiking Trail, the Aliso Creek Bikeway and the Aliso-Serrano Riding and Hiking Trail. From Vista Lookout, at about 1,500 feet, you can see the Sinks, Red Rock Canyon and a wide view across Orange County.
Access to Red Rock Canyon: The best way to get to Red Rock Canyon is to park in the Borrego Parking Lot at 26701 Portola Parkway. From here, take the easy Borrego Canyon Trail. This has a very slight incline as you make your way to the top of the hill and has sections of both shade and full sun. There is a brief connection to the Mustard Road Trail before you meet the Red Rock Canyon Trail. The Red Rock Canyon Trail is rated easy, however, keep in mind that this is not flat, or paved. This portion of the trail can be rough and rocky, and there are a few areas that may be somewhat difficult for inexperienced hikers or small children to navigate on their own. There are port-a-potties at the trail head near the parking area, but there are no restrooms on the way, and no flush toilets.
All trails are open to hikers. Equestrians are permitted on all trails except for Billy Goat Trail and Red Rock Canyon Trail. Mountain Bikers are also permitted on all trails except for Billy Goat and Red Rock Canyon. Borrego Trail is one-way in for mountain bikes, so riders returning to the parking lot on Borrego must walk their bikes.
Mountain biking is popular here. Riders under 18 must wear helmets (OC Parks strongly recommends them for everyone), the trail speed limit is 10 mph, and some trails gain or lose more than 800 feet, so bring enough water. Equestrians can park trailers at the Glenn Ranch Road lot, between Portola Parkway and El Toro Road.
McFadden Ranch House
The ranch house dates to 1915, when James McFadden built it to house the ranch foreman and his family. It sits on an 87-acre parcel along El Toro Road just south of Cook's Corner and now serves as the park's ranger station. The wider property traces back to the 1842 Rancho Cañada de los Alisos land grant to José Serrano, and Dwight Whiting bought it in 1885.
Restrooms
Whiting Ranch has portable restrooms only (no flush toilets), and OC Parks lists them at two spots: the Borrego Parking Lot (26701 Portola Parkway) and the Glenn Ranch Road Parking Lot (27901 Glenn Ranch Rd.). There are none along the trails.
Mountain Lion Warning
There is mountain lion activity through this area. Please do not hike or jog alone. Travel in groups and keep children near you. If you encounter a mountain lion keep your ground, do not run, and wave your hands and shout.
Park Rules
No pets (horses excepted), no smoking, no fires, no alcohol, no drones or radio-controlled models, and no swimming or wading in the creeks. Stay on designated trails, keep minors under direct adult supervision, and watch for rattlesnakes, poison oak and rugged terrain.
Whiting Ranch FAQ
Are dogs allowed at Whiting Ranch?
No. OC Parks doesn't allow pets here; horses are the exception.
How much is parking?
Parking is $3 a day. The machine takes $1 bills, quarters, Visa/Mastercard, or an OC Parks Annual Pass.
What are the hours?
The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset daily, except after rain. The park office is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Can I bike to Red Rock Canyon?
No. Red Rock Canyon and Billy Goat are hiking-only trails. E-bikes aren't allowed on the park's unpaved trails.
Is Whiting Ranch open after rain?
Trails may close for up to three days after rain. Check the OC Parks alerts page or call 949-923-2245 before you go.
