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

Bird Walk with Charity

San Diego State University Field Stations Program Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve Chaparral Hike Flyer

The Chaparral Hike

San Diego State University Field Stations Program Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve Gorge Hike Hike Flyer

Temecula Gorge Hike

San Diego State University Field Stations Program Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve Mushroom Flyer

Mushroom Walk with Mark

View Loop Trail 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 Form	Day	Location & Info
October 17, 2026	Saturday	Temecula Gorge Hike
November 8, 2026	Sunday	Bird Walk (South)
November 22, 2026	Sunday	Temecula Gorge Hike
December 5, 2026	Saturday	Bird Walk (North)
December 13, 2026	Sunday	View Loop Trail Hike
January 9, 2027	Saturday	The Chaparral Hike
January 24, 2027	Sunday	Mushroom Hike
February 13, 2027	Saturday	Temecula Gorge Hike
February 28, 2027	Sunday	The Chaparral Hike
March 7, 2027	Sunday	View Loop Trail Hike
March 20, 2027	Saturday	Bird Walk (South)
April 4, 2027	Sunday	Temecula Gorge Hike
April 18, 2027	Sunday	The 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.