Beauty Found!
The Santa Margarita River Trail is a 5.2 mile trail that follows the Santa Margarita River in Fallbrook.
It's a shaded trail with quaint oak and sycamore trees along the route. The Santa Margarita River is one of the last free-flowing wild rivers in Southern California, and the southernmost range of steelhead trout.
Like so many hiking trails in our region it was saved by environmentalists. In 2018, The Wildlands Conservancy acquired the Santa Margarita River.This 1,384-acre water-blessed property is part of the vulnerable South Coast Ecoregion that is recognized as one of the Earth’s 25 global hotspots of threatened biodiversity.
Water is a precious commodity in Southern California, and the river makes this trail special. You can hear it flowing, it draws you near.
The trail is rugged in parts, and there is quite a bit of trail made up of sand (not so easy to walk on for long distances), but the trail is mostly flat and moderately easy. We saw some families with young children making the trek. Leashed dogs are welcome, and it is a popular equestrian trail. We saw some people on horseback and a few other hikers. Everyone was friendly, but this wasn't a busy trail for a Sunday afternoon. There are trails that require you to cross the river so it's best to wear a good pair of hiking shoes or sneakers. It takes about two and a half hours to complete
History of The Trail
Where there is water there is life, and for centuries this river has helped sustain both the Pechanga and Luiseño tribes. European encroachment pushed the native tribes out of this region and into reservations.
What We Loved About This Preserve
The serenity, you can be at peace here. It's not like other trails where you can hear the freeway, or airplanes. You hear the sound of nature, and when you discover that frequency, you find a piece of yourself.
Keep close to Nature’s heart … and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” -John Muir Naturalist
Santa Margarita County Preserve
37385 De Luz Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028
Phone: (760) 728-2303
Hours: 8 a.m. – one half hour before sunset, daily.
Free Parking Available
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