Leona Canyon

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This area has views of the bay and beautiful oak trees.

The park is a protected riparian ecosystem, so stay on the trail.

Start the hike at the Merritt College entrance. Follow the trail along Rifle Range Creek for 1.34 miles to the reed pond. The trail is a wide, wooded fire road and is a great dog walking spot.

When you hit the reed pond at the end of the trail, turn around and head back 0.73 miles to the Artemisia Trail. The trail is steep and has great views of the bay and the wooded canyon. Cyclists speed down the trail from Skyline Blvd, so stay to the right side of the trail.

After finishing the Artemisia Trail out and back, head toward the Pyrite Trail, which is the most beautiful trail in the park. The old oak trees provide a canopy of shade on a hot summer day and make for a peaceful place to hike.

Oaks, french broom, monkey flowers, blackberries, ferns, buckeye trees, poison oak, garter snakes, deer, and a variety of birds can be found here.