Top off a great vacation with a great hike!
Discover wildlife wonders minutes from Arroyo Grande
—Vacations are always better with some adventure and exploring and there’s no better way than experiencing nature. The Arroyo Grande countryside is some of the most beautiful in the region, and there are miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails less than 20 minutes from Arroyo Grande Village.
Lopez Lake Recreation Area is a short drive from the village and the trailheads are easily accessible from campgrounds or designated parking. Nearly 20 leashed dog-friendly trails, varying from easy to challenging, offer spectacular scenery and wildlife sightings for the entire family.
Every trail offers memorable nature experiences from strolls through meadows and the shade of oaks to brilliant and exotic wildflowers on view in the springtime. Native California grasses and plants, including fragrant salvia and artemisia shrubs, are a delight. Watch for the poison oak!
Wildlife includes more than 150 species of birds, including wild turkeys, eagles, hawks, condors, deer, sightings of coyotes, foxes, rabbits, and other small mammals, lizards, and snakes, including rattlesnakes!
Bring your cell phone, camera, and binoculars. Climbing a trail and cresting a hill might offer views of the lake or panoramas of foothills and meadows. Each trail is an adventure and there are some easy walks near the lake.
Easy trails
- Camp French Road—1.4 miles, hike, bike, equestrian.
- Marina Trail—.3 mile, hike or bike.
- Rocky Point Trail—.4 mile, hike or bike.
Moderate trails
- Blackberry Springs—.6 mile, hike or bike.
- Bobcat Trail—.7 mile, hike or bike.
- Connector Trail—.3 mile, hike or bike.
- Cougar Trail—.8 mile, hike or bike.
- Duna Vista Spur—.7 mile, hike, bike, equestrian.
- High Mountain—1.01 miles, hike, bike, equestrian.
- Horse Trail Spur—.8 mile, hike, bike, equestrian.
Challenging trails
- Black Bear Spur—.2 mile trail hike, bike, equestrian.
- Duna Vista Loop—3.2 miles, hike, bike, equestrian.
- Encinal Spur—1.08 miles hike, bike, equestrian.
- Escondido Overlook—.2 mile, hike, bike, equestrian.
- Escondido Trail—1.1 miles, hike or bike.
- High Ridge Trail—2.7 miles, hike, bike, equestrian.
- Turkey Ridge Trail—.2 mile, hiking or biking.
Getting there
From Arroyo Grande, take Huasana Road to Lopez Road and into the Lopez Lake Recreation Area. Along with hiking, the recreation area offers boating, fishing, and camping, including the Black Bear Equestrian Camp. The marina at the lake has a convenience store, restaurant, and snack bar. Marina concessions open at 7 or 8 a.m. and close between 4-6 p.m., depending on the day.
The day use fee is payable at the entrance kiosk located at the campground entrance, or make day-use reservations online at slocountyparks.com.
For more information, maps, apps and to check trail conditions visit slocountyparks.com or call (805) 781-5930.
