San Diego's Natural History Museum Offering Free Guided Hikes Throughout the County

The San Diego Natural History Museum’s Canyoneers are back for their 51st season, offering over 60 free, guided hikes throughout San Diego County through June 2025.

Led by trained naturalists, the hikes are designed to immerse participants in the region’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems, with trails ranging from coastal estuaries to rugged desert paths.

This season introduces several new hikes, including Twin Peaks Trail in Poway, Strontium Mine & Elephant Tree Trail, and Pepperwood Springs Mesa. Each hike is guided by a knowledgeable naturalist who provides insights into the area’s unique flora, fauna, and geology.

Canyoneer hikes — Hikers learning about San Diegos’ native plants from a guide from the Natural History Museum

Several new hikes were added this year, including:

Strontium Mine & Elephant Tree Trail: On December 21, 2024, hikers will visit an old WWII strontium mine site on an ancient volcano where celestite was mined for making flares. Then, a stop at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park will let hikers appreciate unique elephant trees and typical desert vegetation.

Twin Peaks Trail: The name Twin Peaks refers to two small mountains sitting next to each other near Poway, an exhilarating place to explore. On January 19, 2025, hikers will pass through sage scrub and chaparral habitats, appreciating the plant and animal life that lives there.

In-Ko-Pah Trail: In-Ko-Pah County Park near the Jacumba Hot Springs is home to granitic intrusive bedrock and weathered into dramatic piles of residual boulders, making for some spectacular scenery. On February 23, 2025, the Canyoneers will explore several miles of meandering trails through the property.

Pepperwood Springs Mesa: Sweeping views of the mountains and desert in the far east of San Diego make McCain Valley a unique experience for explorers participating in this hike on April 27, 2025. The area is dotted with large granitic boulders, islands of oak groves, and even palm oases.

The hikes are free, though reservations are required. For more details and to sign up, visit the Canyoneers’ website at sdnat.org/canyoneers.

You can see the full list of upcoming hikes here.