If there’s a full moon tonight (and there is) it must be time for a Boat Canyon night hike.
Boat Canyon is a terrific 8.2 mile hike in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, climbing up above Boat Canyon, dropping down to Laguna Canyon Road and climbing back up again before returning to the trailhead — it’s a serious workout! There are fantastic ocean views and it makes a fun hike to do in the evening with the trail lit by the full moon.
Time: ~3 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,769 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year round
Pass the gate and head up the hill on Boat Road. At the first junction, you can take a short detour to the left for panoramic views up and down the Orange County coastline, including Laguna Beach and Newport Coast. Backtrack to the junction and continue up Boat Road. The next junction comes at the ridge. You’ll turn left here and head down Bommer Ridge.
Take the steep Big Bend Trail (the first right) down almost all the way to Laguna Canyon Road. The trail is well marked to the left and the Big Bend parking area, but take the lesser traveled trail to the right. This trail parallels Laguna Canyon Road back towards the coast before finally turning back uphill on the steep Laguna Ridge Trail.
When you reach the top of the ridge, you’ll jog to the right about five yards and turn left on Boat Road, returning the way you came and completing the lollipop loop.
I’ve hiked this several times with a group during full moons, although officially the park closes at sundown. I don’t know of anyone who has received one, but you technically could get a citation for doing this after the park is closed. Consider yourself warned!
Tips for a Moonlight Hike
- Don’t go alone! There is safety in numbers. Go with others and stick together.
- Have the Ten Essentials, especially a flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries.
- Make sure someone knows where you will be, and when you expect to return.
Trail Map and Elevation Profile
Photo Gallery
Jeff says
July 7, 2010 at 10:07 amThanks for the great maps and descriptions for all your prep hikes. I’ve been having trouble finding local hikes that have a good amount of elevation gain and this one looks great. Keep up the great work. This site has become a sweet resource for me and other hikers.
SoCal Hiker says
July 7, 2010 at 11:41 amThanks, Jeff! This hike definitely has some decent elevation. I hiked this at the last full moon in June and the bottom section of the trail (along Laguna Canyon Road) was very overgrown. It doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic, so you might want long pants.
David says
September 14, 2010 at 2:18 pmWow – nice pictures, I’ll definitely have to do this one sometime.
Weldon Coccoli says
December 1, 2010 at 5:22 amGreat info! I will need a bit of time to absorb this job:D
Glenn Jones says
February 7, 2012 at 7:35 amWait a minute. I thought the park closed at dusk. That’s what the signs say (lol). Beautiful photos Jeff. I usually come in from Park Ridge in Newport Coast myself.
Jeff Hester says
February 7, 2012 at 7:52 amGlenn, yep. That’s why I say in the last paragraph: “I’ve hiked this several times with a group during full moons, although officially the park closes at sundown. I don’t know of anyone who has received one, but you technically could get a citation for doing this after the park is closed. Consider yourself warned!” 😉
Jishita says
May 14, 2015 at 10:31 pmI am planning to go to this hike trail, but do I really have to do it at night? Would it be ok to do it during day time?
Laura Cohen says
July 5, 2015 at 2:34 pmHello, Jishita,
Please do hike in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park during the daytime, observing park hours (7:00 am until sunset). This is the kindest thing you can do for park wildlife. Bobcats and other animals need time to hunt. We have found using our remote wildlife cameras that bobcats here will go completely nocturnal rather than encounter visitors, although they would normally hunt at sunset and in the early morning. Wilderness Parks are the only homes left for bobcats and other mammals. If people keep bobcats from hunting and eating by being in the park at all times of the day and night, bobcats will die of starvation. Everyone can choose to do what’s best for wildlife by learning the park rules before they visit. You can also avoid a citation by following park rules.
Brad Warbiany says
November 7, 2015 at 6:27 pmI did this hike today… All I can say is when Jeff says a hike is “strenuous”, I’m going to believe him.
I’m not in terrible shape, but that second big climb on Laguna Ridge Trail damn near killed me. I clearly bit off more than I could chew.
Overall, the distance of the hike wasn’t a bother, and everything *except* that climb was fine. But that’s a very aggressive climb, especially when it comes ~5+ miles into the hike.
I need to keep working on my conditioning to be able to do the ones marked “strenuous”, I think…
Laura Cohen says
August 14, 2016 at 5:24 pmJust wanted to leave a note letting people know that Laguna Coast Wilderness Park closes at sunset. This is important to the survival of the wildlife in the park, especially for animals like the bobcat that will not hunt while people are present. Since Laguna Coast has hundreds of thousands of visitors a year and it is a wildlife reserve, we work to support the wildlife and also facilitate recreation. The animals need time to go about their lives. I’m writing to ask people to please respect the park’s hours so we can keep our animals that are sensitive to human presence.
Also, Laguna Ridge Trail is closed because there was a wildfire in the area. Now, the area is prone to disturbance, since many of the plants have burned, leaving soil exposed. Feet and tires break up the soil, making erosion much more likely if there is rain. Disturbance can also destroy roots still alive below the ground. Help protect our park by giving this area a rest.
Charles C says
September 21, 2016 at 9:40 pmDid this as an early am hike. Avoided most mt bikers. Very enjoyable and challenging with great views.
Renee Machat says
November 1, 2016 at 5:27 pmI’m so happy I found this website! I recently moved to OC and recently discovered hiking! I’m having so much fun discovering new trains and exploring the OC “outback.” Thank you for all the great info!
Andrew.outdoor says
January 10, 2017 at 4:40 amJust like to make sure you’ll come or will cancel the hike even love a workout, but if you can’t make it, and I have to drive all the way down in very busy schedule now.
Midori says
April 26, 2018 at 4:01 amWhen’s the next group hike?