Mission Trails Regional Park encompasses nearly 5,800 acres of both natural and developed recreational acres. Its rugged hills, valleys and open areas represent a San Diego prior to the landing of Cabrillo in San Diego Bay in 1542.
Centrally located and only eight miles northeast of downtown San Diego, Mission Trails Regional Park provides a quick, natural escape from the urban hustle and bustle.
Mission Trails Regional Park has been called the third Jewel in the City of San Diego Park System. Along with Balboa Park and Mission Bay, it provides San Diego residents and visitors a way to explore the cultural, historical, and recreational aspects of San Diego.
Started in 1974, Mission Trails Regional Park has become one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Originally used by the Kumeyaay, the park is the site of the Old Mission Dam, built to store water for the Mission San Diego de Alcala.
With over 40 miles of trails, boating on Lake Murray, camping at Kumeyaay Lake, numerous informative hikes, and a state-of-the-art Visitor & Interpretive Center, Mission Trails Regional Park has something to offer everyone.
Getting there:
From Route 52 - Take 52 to the Mast Blvd. exit in Santee. Driving east, turn left onto Mast Blvd., go under the freeway to the first traffic signal (West Hills Parkway) and turn right. Driving west, turn right onto Mast Blvd. and right onto West Hills Parkway. Take West Hills Parkway to Mission Gorge Road and turn right. Proceed down Mission Gorge Road 1.9 miles (past the Father Junipero Serra Trail entrance to Old Mission Dam and Kumeyaay Lake and Campground) to Golfcrest Drive. Turn left and proceed to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Navajo Road and proceed 0.7 miles to Cowles Mountain Blvd, turn left. Proceed down Cowles Mountain Blvd. 0.5 miles to Boulder Lake Avenue and turn left. Proceed to the end of Boulder Lake Avenue and turn right onto Barker Way. The trail head is approximately 75 yards down Barker Way on the left. Parking is limited at this location.
From Interstate 8 - Take 8 to the College Avenue exit. Turn north onto College Avenue. Proceed down College Avenue 1.0 miles to Navajo Road. Turn right onto Navajo Road and proceed 2.6 miles to Cowles Mountain Blvd, turn left. Proceed down Cowles Mountain Blvd. 0.5 miles to Boulder Lake Avenue and turn left. Proceed to the end of Boulder Lake Avenue and turn right onto Barker Way. The trail head is approximately 75 yards down Barker Way on the left. Parking is limited at this location.
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