Orange Hills Regional Park closes at sunset.

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Trails may be closed for up to three days following rain.

Annual passes are available to purchase at the park office at Irvine Regional Park. Please call ahead for staff availability.

Parking is available at Irvine Regional Park and Peters Canyon Regional Park.

• Park Brochure (updated 11/19/25)
• View Map​ (updated 11/19/25)
• View Map (español)​ (updated 01/28/26)

Overview

Orange Hills Regional Park offers a vital biological and cultural link between Irvine Regional Park and Peters Canyon Regional Park. These irreplaceable rolling foothills encompass 396 acres of aromatic shrubland, perennial grassland, historic cattle pasture, oaks, and cottonwood-laden streams. Every spring, they are adorned with a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers.   Situated on the ancestral homeland of the Acjachemen/Juaneño and Tongva/Gabrieleño, this land features a prehistoric village site that is eligible for the California Register of Historic Resources.  Residents and park visitors share a profound sense of relief and appreciation for these hills because they serve as a natural buffer between the dense urban development to the west and the undeveloped rural gateway to the Santa Ana Mountains to the east.

Mammals include mountain lion, mule deer, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, spotted skunk, long-tailed weasel, opossum, raccoon, and woodrat. Reptiles and amphibians include western spadefoot, California toad, Baja California chorus frog, Belding’s orange-throated whiptail, Blainville’s horned lizard, California kingsnake, San Diego night snake, San Bernardino ring-necked snake, and Southern Pacific rattlesnake.  Birds include Least Bell’s vireo, coastal California gnatcatcher, grasshopper sparrow, western meadowlark, white-tailed kite, northern harrier, California quail, and greater roadrunner. Invertebrates include Crotch’s bumble bee, bindweed turret bee, globe mallow bee, tarantula, tarantula hawk wasp, trapdoor spider, Pacific velvet ant, and scorpion.  Rare plants include intermediate mariposa lily and many-stemmed dudleya.

Park Features

• Size: 400 acres
• Habitats: Coastal seascrub, riparian zones, grasslands
• Wildlife: Mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, raptors, and various native bird species
• Cultural Significance: Location of a prehistoric Native American village archaeological site
• Connectivity. A vital link between Irvine Regional Park and Peters Canyon Regional Park

Activities

The park offers trails, a graded road, and a paved road providing opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians to travel from Irvine Regional Park to Peters Canyon Regional Park. The Bennyhoff Bump Trail provides a panoramic view of Orange Hills and the surrounding area.  The Puma Ridge Trail and White-tailed Kite Loop Trail offer unparalleled bird-watching opportunities for rare grassland species.  Gray Fox Trail offers a short up-and-back with a mix of shady oak woodland and grassland.  Cottonwood Spur Trail offers a glimpse of the vibrant black cottonwoods and sycamores that line the headwaters of Peters Canyon Reservoir.  Old Peters Canyon Road offers a peaceful and secluded route along a historic rural two-lane road where cars are no longer allowed.

Location Amenities

• Location Amenities
• Dogs Permitted on Leashes
• Equestrian Trails
• Hiking Trails
• Interpretive Programs Center
• Picnic areas (tables)
• Scenic overlook

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