Badlands Hike in Laguna Niguel - South OC Moms

badlands hike

 

Who is ready for an easy Orange County hike, with one heck of a stunning view? The Badlands hike consists of pacific ocean views as far as the eye can see. On a clear day you can see from San Clemente to Long Beach and all of Catalina Island. We have been looking for more local trails where we can take our dogs, so they don’t have to miss out on all of the fun. And my youngest child wants trails that aren’t overly strenuous, so this trail certainly checks both of those boxes. Alltrails lists the trail as a 2.3 mile out and back trail, which you can certainly make as short or as long as you like.

 

To find the trail head you want to type in Badlands Park as the location pin into your phone. The pin will drop you at the front of a private gated community. You want to park on the street, in front of the guard gate on Isle Vista Street. Once you exit your car, walk to the right hand side of the guard gate(Ocean side) and you will see a set of stairs, walk up those stairs. If you have a wheel chair or a stroller continue past the stairs and you will find side walk accessible access. Once you come to the top of the stairs you will find this fork in the path as shown in the photo below.

 

badlands hike

 

If you head to the right on the trail you will see multiple picnic benches which would be absolutely perfect for a family picnic. You certainly won’t be able to beat the view. If you continue north on that trail you will eventually reach a dead-end and have to return to the picnic benches. It’s about 200 yards to the dead-end and then another 200 yards back to the picnic benches.

 

badlands hike

 

If you decide to head left at the initial fork when you arrived, you will come to these stairs on the right hand side of the trail.  This is the only portion of the trail where you will have stairs. I suggest leaving the stroller at home and wearing your baby. If you have young kids, they will be able to walk the trail as it is completely flat. Additionally at the top of the stairs you will find a water fountain and a water bowl for your furry friends to enjoy.

 

badlands hike

 

Once you are down at the bottom of the stairs you will notice the Badlands trail head. You will also notice that the trail is mainly made up of sand and dirt, so this will be a difficult trail to push your stroller on. I highly suggest you leave the stroller at home for this one.

 

badlands hike

 

Once you head out on the trail you will notice many beautiful spots to stop and enjoy the view and take a couple snap shots of the family. Alltrails lists the trail as 2.3 miles out and back. It is really up to you as a family to determine how far you all want to walk on this trail. You do what is best for your family and your kids individual stamina. There are some areas where the trail has steep drop offs, so be sure to keep your kids close and alert them of the dangers of going off trial. Otherwise this is a very easy trail, with lovely views for the whole family. There are no steep inclines or declines, it is very flat the majority of the trail.

 

badlands hike

 

Happy trails friends and don’t forget to tag us in your photos on Insta if you go!

 

badlands hike

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