Docent-Led Hikes on the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve

These exclusive Docent-Led hikes are a fun way to visit this special place which is not open to the public.

Docent-Led Hikes Brochures

Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve Hike PDF Cover.

Bird Walk

View Loop Trail

Chaparral Hike

Gorge Hike

Docent-Led Hikes Sign-Up Links

Click on a Sign-Up Date below to add yourself to a hike list. (all hikes begin at 8:00am)

Sign-Up Date	Day	Location & Info
October 19, 2025	Sunday	Gorge Hike
November 15, 2025	Saturday	Bird Walk (South Side)
November 22, 2025	Saturday	Gorge Hike
December 14, 2025	Sunday	Chaparral Hike
January 04, 2026	Sunday	Gorge Hike
January 18, 2026	Sunday	View Loop Hike
February 01, 2026	Sunday	Bird Walk (North Side)
February 21, 2026	Saturday	Chaparral Hike
March 14, 2026	Saturday	Gorge Hike
March 29, 2026	Sunday	View Loop Hike
April 11, 2026	Saturday	Bird Walk (North Side)
April 19, 2026	Sunday	Gorge Hike
May 02, 2026	Saturday	Chaparral Hike

Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve

In addition to protecting local flora and fauna, the reserve provides environmental research opportunities for students and researchers worldwide.

unpaved road with corridor of trees arching over

Riparian area by the SMR in the spring

Beautiful photo on Gorge hike taken by Nancy Stalnaker

river with steep walls on both sides with fog

Foggy morning in the Temecula Gorge

6 hikers sitting on rocks on top of a mountain with view of rocky terrain

Hikers enjoying the view

two hikers sitting on a rock near the river enjoy a rest

Hikers Rich and Janee resting in the Temecula Gorge

Hiker resting

Botanists: Micheal Crouse, Ashley Ariaza, Tom Chester and Beth Cobb

hikers sitting on rocks on a hill with distant view of city iin the background

Hikers admire the rock pots

Lesley Gregory

3 hikers sitting on a rock near the river

Hikers enjoy a rest and snack on the Temecula Gorge Hike

Hikers enjoy their hike

hiker sits on top of a rock looking outward. A rocky hill is in the background

Docent Tom Somers enjoys a thoughtful rest

Hikers on a high point of a trail with a view of the distant horizon

Hikers heading back

group of hikers sitting on rocks near river

gorge hike photos during bioblitz

Temecula Valley Woman’s Club and Pablo in Temecula gorge

Buena Vista Audubon group walking up the hill from gorge

5 hikers climbing up a dirt road hear river

Buena Vista Audubon Docents visit Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve

One hiker standing in river with green plants in background

Beth Cobb Docent on Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve

4 hikers with mountains in the background

Ashley Ariaza on Chaparral Trial with hikers

Hikers rest on rocks in the Temecula Gorge

Woman with blue backpack, blue baseball cap and glasses in front of hillside with scrub and rocks

David Rogers pointing to pneumatic drill hole on railroad bed

hiker standing on hill with clouds in background

Docent Ashley Ariaza enjoys the Chaparral Trail

hiker standing holding a plant among lush green background

Beth Cobb stands holding a Tetracoccus dioicus branch on the Chaparral Trail. This plant is considered endangered and found on the protected Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve.