El Morro Canyon, Crystal Cove State Beach View of wildflower covered hills on 4-5-08.

The backcountry of Crystal Cove State Beach has many trails winding through hills, canyons and across ridges with great ocean views.  Located on the opposite side of PCH from Crystal Cove Beach.  Turn on El Morro School House Rd.  Parking is $10 or the State Parks Annual Day Use Pass will work here too.  Hiking Trail information and maps can be found at the Crystal Cove State Park Website, click here. An excellent description of hiking in El Morro Canyon can be found at yourhikes.com, click here.

El Morro Canyon also has a visitor center with wildlife displays, historical information, pictures of the surrounding Irvine open space areas or preserves, park maps, trail maps, park program information and numerous other free pamplets.

Views of the hills toward Laguna Canyon from the picnic area.

El Morro Canyon trails through these hills connect up with Laguna Coast Wilderness Park trails.

Trails include some easier hills and some steep uphills, often used for mountain biking and hiking.

OCRegister Article, "Best Place to Hike", descriptions of several Orange County Hikes including Crystal Cove, click here. Click here to return to the Laguna main page. Click here to return to the Crystal Cove State Park page. Warning:  rattlesnakes are found in this area, please use caution and read our Saftey Page.  Thanks!