Oak Canyon Nature Center
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Oak Canyon Nature Center is a 58-acre natural park nestled in the Anaheim Hills. A year-round stream meanders through the park. Consisting of three adjoining canyons, four miles of hiking trails traverse one of the few remaining areas of oak woodland and coastal sage scrub in our region. Native wildlife makes the canyon their home and is just waiting to be discovered. Also located on site is the John J. Collier Interpretive Center, a small museum with live animal and regional natural history exhibits.
The Nature Center is ideal for those who are just stepping into the wilderness for the first time or for those more experienced trekkers who are seeking a short hike.
Trails are open seven days per week, sunrise-sunset. The Interpretive Center is open Saturdays, 10am-4pm. Bicycles and pets not allowed.
Birthday parties, summer day camps, volunteer opportunities, and Saturday nature hikes are available. Please see our website for details.
2 Reviews for Oak Canyon Nature Center
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11 family found this helpful
"Ahh, shade..."
We brought a big group of little ones on a hot day, and we all enjoyed a shady hike. Gorgeous old oaks, wildflowers, and a creek where the kids could play. It's a cultivated wilderness (benches, rails, concrete in the creek banks), but plenty beautiful. Only bummer was the Nature Center is closed on weekdays, so we didn't get to go in.
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0 families found this helpful
"Nature trails and a stream"
This little section of trails is located right in the heart of Orange County, surrounded by housing developments and businesses. What a jewel of nature, preserved for us to enjoy. Sometimes the "getting out to enjoy nature" takes work, but that effort is richly rewarded at this place.
My kids and I hiked the stream trail, past an amphitheater, a mine, and over 5 or 6 cute little bridges. We saw ducks, woodpeckers and heard the rhythmic croaking of Pacific Tree Frogs. The 1/4 mile nature trail (just up the stairs by the Nature Center) has a lot to offer kids. My kids jumped in the broken "bird egg" and chirped like baby birds, crawled through the turtle shell and then pretended to be animals living in a hollowed log. Interpretive signs helped me teach them a little history and nature as we wandered the trail. A butterfly garden filled with large butterfly structures attracted my kid's attention for quite some time. We loved our time in nature today!
Most of the trails and bridges are narrow and would most likely accommodate a small stroller or jogger. However, the stream trail has many steps and would not work for a stroller. Other trails are available but will not take you over the bridges that would be sure to entice most kids.
The trails are well marked and lined with stones, but I saw many areas of poison oak off the trail. In most cases it was far back from the trail, but is a good reason to stay out of the bushes here!
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