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San Dieguito River Park Trails at Lake Hodges and Clevenger Canyon

Part of Hiking Trails, our guide to hiking trails across San Diego County, from city peaks to desert canyons.

The San Dieguito River Park lists trails at Lake Hodges and Clevenger Canyon with lengths: Bernardo Mountain Summit 1.95 miles (strenuous), Piedras Pintadas 2.20 (easy), Bernardo Bay 1.60 (easy), Clevenger North 2.00 and South 3.60 (strenuous). Staging areas open at 6:00 AM.Checked October 23, 2026.

1.95 miBernardo Mountain Summit
2.20 miPiedras Pintadas, easy
6:00 AMstaging opens
Staging hoursOpen daily 6:00 AM; close 6:00 PM (Oct. 1 to Mar. 31) and 7:30 PM (Apr. 1 to Sep. 30)
After rainThe park asks visitors to wait 48 hours before using the trails
FeesSee official site
Who it suitsEasy trails for all ages; strenuous trails for adults and strong older kids
DogsNot confirmed
Official pageSan Dieguito River Park: trails

Lake Hodges Trails

Per the park table: Bernardo Mountain Summit Trail 1.95 miles, strenuous, 360 degree views; Bernardo Mountain Lake View Trail 1.15 miles, moderate, lake views; Piedras Pintadas Trail 2.20 miles, easy, interpretive with a Green Valley Creek bridge and a seasonal waterfall; Bernardo Bay Trails 1.60 miles, easy loop trails and birding. The bridge between them, the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge, is 0.19 mile and open 6am to 9pm daily. The lake itself is on our Hodges Reservoir page.

Clevenger Canyon

Clevenger Canyon North Trail is 2.00 miles, strenuous, with views and a Santa Ysabel Creek crossing; the South Trail is 3.60 miles, strenuous, with views. They are hiking only (no biking or horses). The park page says the City of San Diego manages them; the City’s rules were not read.

What We Could Not Verify

  • The park table does not say whether mileages are one way or round trip. San Dieguito River Park can confirm.
  • Dog rules, elevation gain and trailhead street addresses (“see Parking Directions” on the park site) are not confirmed.
  • Coordinates are not confirmed.

More in Hiking Trails

FAQ

When do the gates close?

6:00 PM from October 1 to March 31 and 7:30 PM from April 1 to September 30, per the park.

Sources

  1. San Dieguito River Park: trails

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.