Chino Hills State Park Camping

Chino Hills State Park: The Complete Guide

During the Mexican Republic era, massive cattle ranches, like Santa Ana del Chino and La Sierra Madre, were established in the Chino Hills of Southern California. Cattle ranching continued after Mexico ceded California to the U.S. And then, in 1948, Rolling M Ranch, the current site of Chino Hills State Park’s campground, was founded.

The state started converting Chino Hills into a park in 1977, but it was officially granted park status in 1984. At that time, the park was 2,237 acres large. Various private landholders have since sold their parcels to the state, and the park has expanded to more than 14,000 acres which, today, are enjoyed by those looking to flee the urban jungle for an escape to a peaceful oasis. The undulating grassy hills, oak and sycamore-dotted woodlands, and quiet scrub-covered valleys here provide the perfect environment to hike, bike, bird, picnic, camp, or ride horses.

Th And 20th Centuries

A severe drought in the 1860s devastated the prevailing industry, , and much land came into the possession of Richard O’Neill, Sr., and other . In 1887, was discovered in the , attracting settlers via the and .

The county is said to have been named for the in an attempt to promote immigration by suggesting a semi-tropical paradise a place where anything could grow.

Other crops, , and extraction were also important to the early economy. Orange County benefited from the July 4, 1904, completion of the , a connecting with and . The link made Orange County an accessible weekend retreat for celebrities of early . It was deemed so significant that Pacific City changed its name to in honor of , president of the Pacific Electric and nephew of . Transportation further improved with the completion of the State Route and in the 1920s.

Agriculture, such as that involving the made famous by native , began to decline after . However, the county’s prosperity soared during this time. The completion of in 1954 helped make Orange County a for many who moved to to work in and manufacturing. Orange County received a further boost in 1955 with the opening of .

In 1969, -born Orange County native became the 37th .

In the late 1970s, Vietnamese and Latino immigrants began to populate Orange County.

In the 1980s, Orange County had become the second most populous county in California as the population topped two million for the first time.

How To Get There

Chino Hills State Park is located at 4721 Sapphire Road, Chino Hills, California. It is about 30 miles from Riverside, 39 miles from downtown Los Angeles, and 109 miles from San Diego. To get there, take I-91 to Highway 71 North, then turn left at Soquel Canyon. Proceed to Elinvar and turn left. Elinvar then merges into Sapphire on the left the park entrance is on the right.

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San Bernardino County California

San Bernardino County ), officially the County of San Bernardino, is a located in the of the of , and is located within the area. As of the , the population was 2,181,654, making it the fifth-most populous county in California and the in the United States. The is .

While included within the area, San Bernardino County is included in the , as well as the .

With an area of 20,105 square miles , San Bernardino County is the in the by area, although some of are larger. The county is close to the size of .

This vast county stretches from where the bulk of the county population resides in three , counting 1,793,186 people as of the 2010 Census, covering 1,730 square miles , across the thinly populated deserts and mountains. It spans an area from south of the San Bernardino Mountains in , to the border and the .

With a population that is 53.7% Hispanic as of 2020, it is California’s and the .

Frequently Asked Questions About Chino Hills State Park

What is the best time of year to visit Chino Hills State Park?

The best time to visit Chino Hills State Park is spring, when you will be able to view the poppy-clad hills. Peak bloom usually occurs between the second week of March and the first week of April.

What is the climate of Chino Hills State Park?

Chino Hills State Park has a Mediterranean climate. Winters can be rainy, encouraging wildflowers to bloom in the spring. Summers are usually hot and dry, with daytime temperatures often reaching over 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

What kind of wildlife can be found in Chino Hills State Park?

Chino Hills State Park is home to hundreds of bird and mammal species, including the least bells vireo and the California gnatcatcher. During your visit, watch for coyotes, deer and bobcats.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Chino Hills State Park?

There are 20 campsites at Chino Hills State Park. The largest campsites can accommodate trailers up to 30 feet long. No hookups are available, and there is no dump station.

Are pets allowed at Chino Hills State Park?

Pets are allowed in limited areas at Chino Hills State Park. They are allowed on leashes in the Rolling M Ranch Campground and the nearby day-use area. They are also permitted in the day-use area near the Discovery Center.

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Activities In The Park

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

When to Go

Wildflowers carpet the valleys of Chino Hills State Park each spring , and this is the busiest time to visit. Time your visit for late March or early April to see the famous California poppies. Hiking and camping are possible year-round, depending on the weather. Note that the park closes for at least two days following heavy rainfall to protect its clay trails, as well as in times of high fire risk.

Know Before You Go

• Chino Hills State Park is 37 miles east of Los Angeles, or about a 40-minute drive away.
• There are day-use parking fees for all California state parks, and campsite booking fees also apply.
• Campsites at Rolling M Ranch Campground have access to flush toilets and potable water. There are no hookups or other facilities, and campfires and charcoal BBQs are prohibited.
• Chino Hills facilities are basic with restrooms and picnic benchesbring everything else you need with you. Cell phone service is unreliable throughout the park.
• There are accessible parking spaces, restrooms, campsites, trails, and picnic sites at Chino Hills State Park.

Rolling M Ranch Campground

Rolling M Ranch Campground is a small camping area at the eastern side of Chino Hills State Park that provides a prime location for accessing several of the park’s hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Set at the end of the park’s eastern access road, the campground has 20 sites, several of which have pull-through parking for medium-sized RVs, as well as a reservable group camp and a several horse camp sites.

The main campground sits on a small loop road served by a central bathroom building with flush toilets and free showers. Each site has a picnic bench, a food hook, fire pit and grill. Due to seasonal hot and dry conditions throughout the area, fire restrictions can be in place in the campground, so it may be a good idea to contact the park beforehand to find out the current status. Water spigots, coal bins and trash cans sit sporadically around the loop. Most sites have at least one tree to provide shade, however there are a few that don’t, and in general this hillside campground already tends to be exposed to the elements.

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Chino Hills State Park Overview

Chino Hills State Park Campground has 20 campsites and is located in a natural open-space area among the Southern California communities of Corona, Chino Hills, Yorba Linda and Brea. Each campsite has a table, fire ring and grate. The campground has drinking water and flush toilets. Group camping is also available. The campground does not have hookups.

Chino Hills State Park includes 14,102 acres of open space and has a visitor center. The Park includes 90 miles of hiking and equestrian trials, museums, picnic areas and various exhibits. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.

Rancho Jurupa Park is about 24 miles away and has 131 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs. It also has a nice fishing lake.

Reservations:

Commercial Clusters Edge Cities

Older cities like Santa Ana, Anaheim, and have traditional downtowns dating back to the 19th century, with Downtown Santa Ana being the home of the county, state and federal institutions. However, far more commercial activity is concentrated in clusters of newer commercial development are found in the county’s , the three largest being

AnaheimSanta Ana edge city

A contiguous strip of commercial development stretches from Disneyland through to along the I-5 Santa Ana Freeway, straddling the city limits of , , , and , and in fact stretching between the original downtowns of those four cities.

Entertainment and cultural facilities include , , , – a live concert venue, , the – home to the of the NHL , and the . Health care facilities include CHOC , Kaiser Permanente Health Pavilion , , and the .

Retail complexes include , Anaheim Marketplace , , Orange Town & Country, and , originally a mall named “The City” which was the centerpiece of a planned, 1970s by the same name. There is commercial strip-style development including along West Chapman Avenue in Orange , along Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove ” rel=”nofollow”> Burlington, ), and around Harbor Blvd. and Chapman Ave. in Anaheim .

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Spanish Missions And The Development Of Viticulture

y Ferrer and the early components of the arrived in modern-day , south of the present-day Orange County, in mid-late 1769. During these early years, however, the early immigrants continued to rely on imports of both and wines Serra repeatedly complained of the process of repeated, labored import.

Per Thomas Pinney’s definitive 1989 work A History of Wine in America:

“The first clear reference to the planting of at a California mission comes from in 1779, ten years after the arrival of the in . These vines might have produced a small crop as early as 1781, but the evidence points to 1782 as the likeliest date for California’s first vintage. In an original and important essay, Roy Brady has not only established this chronology for the first but has also plausibly identified the means whereby the were first brought to the state they came, he suggests, in May 1778 on board the supply ship San Antonio under the command of Don José Camacho. If so, the state has a neglected benefactor long overdue for public recognition. The beginning made at . . . grew, in time, to include the entire system of missions, with uneven but substantial success.”

Where To Stay Nearby

Several independent and chain hotels are located within close proximity to Chino Hills State Park. Escape from the city in comfort, as you enjoy the amenities of home during your park visit.

• Hotel Chino Hills: The Chino Hills Hotel is located 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles and nearby Chino Hills State Park. Choose from standard and executive king and double queen rooms, and enjoy on-site amenities, like an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center.
• Ayres Hotel Chino Hills: This Chino Hills lodging option features 124 studio and one-bedroom suites, an outdoor pool and hot tub, a fitness center, and a meeting room. Complimentary breakfast and happy hour can be enjoyed with your stay, and rooms come equipped with Celestial Sleeper beds, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen televisions.
• TownePlace Suites by Marriott Ontario Chino Hills: This pet-friendly hotel features private kitchens with each room and an outdoor patio with Weber grills, so that those on a budget can eat in. Choose from a one-bedroom studio, or a single-king or double-queen suite. An outdoor pool and fitness center are located on-site.

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Regions Of Orange County

Orange County is sometimes divided into northern and southern regions. There are significant political, demographic, economic and cultural distinctions between North and South Orange County. A popular dividing line between the two regions is the .

North Orange County, including Anaheim, and , was the first part of the county to be developed and is culturally closer to neighboring . This region is more Hispanic and Asian , more densely populated , younger, less wealthy and with higher unemployment. It has more renters, fewer homeowners and more registered Democrats as opposed to Republicans. There are notable exceptions to these general trends, such as strongly Republican and affluent and . North Orange County is predominantly flat, giving way to the in the Northeast.

South Orange County is more residential, wealthier, more Republican, less racially diverse and more recently developed. Irvine, the largest city in the region, is an exception to some of these trends, being a major employment center and having an Asian plurality . South Orange County almost always includes Irvine,, and the cities to their southeast, including , , and . Costa Mesa is sometimes included in South County, although it is located predominantly to the west of the . Irvine is located in a valley defined by the Santa Ana Mountains and the , while much of South Orange County is very hilly.

Camping Opportunities At Chino Hills State Park

The Rolling M Ranch Campground at Chino Hills State Park is available by reservation online or in person. Fees for camping are $30 per night. Please click the reservation link for availability, or call 1-800-444-7275 . The campground is accessible via the Chino Hills entrance of the park at 4721 Sapphire Rd, Chino Hills CA 91709. Due to its limited features, the campground is designated a Primitive Campground facility.

The Campground contains 20 campsites, acces to trails, potable water and flush toilets. Campfires/ground fires and charcoal BBQs are not permissible. Check-in is 2 pm and checkout is 12 pm. Plan ahead to arrive at your campsite before dark. Pets can stay in the campground but must be kept on leash and inside a vehicle or tent at night.

There is no after hours vehicle access to the campground. Guests planning to arrive after park closing hours must make prior arrangements by calling 951-780-6222. Camping must be in designated spaces only. We do not allow back country or off trail camping within the park.

• Check-in is at 2 p.m. checkout is at 12 p.m.
• 30ft camping trailers are allowed.
• There is no vehicle access to the campsites after park hours.
• All campers are required to register and pay their fees or show proof of reservation.

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Inside Chino Hills State Park

The landscape is the star of the show at Chino Hills State Park, and the best way to explore it is on the park’s 90-mile trail network. Stroll down the easy Telegraph Canyon Trail or enjoy the challenge of the strenuous Campground and Ranch Loop. Bikers love the single track on Upper Aliso Creek Gilman Peak Loop is popular among equestrians. If you’re hiking, be aware that you’re sharing the path with bikers and horseback riders, and if you’re bringing a pet, be sure to check the trail-specific restrictions. Not interested in exploring? Chino Hills is also a popular spot for bird-watching and wildlife spotting.

Chino Hills State Park

Chino Hills State Park is a state park of California, in the United States. It is located in the Chino Hills, foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. It is a critical link in the ChinoPuente Hillswildlife corridor, and a major botanical habitat reserve for resident and migrating wildlife.

Visitors can walk, horseback ride, or mountain bike on trails through valleys and along ridge tops through woodlands, sage scrub and grasslands. 60 miles of trails and fire roads also offer opportunities for viewing wildlife and native plants. Facilities consist of a picnic area, camping sites, equestrian staging area and corrals, a historic barn, water and restrooms. Most of the trails are multiple mode use. A few trails are designated for hiking only for safety or habitat protection.

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Entering Chino Hills State Park

Chino Hills State Park is open every day of the year, and you can remain on the trails from sunrise to sunset. The gates are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from October through March and 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from April through September. If you’re driving inside the park, please note that staff locks the gates at closing time.

Chino Hills State Park Per vehicle: $5.0

Chino Hills State Park Per vehicle: $4.0

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