Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve

Category: Nature preserve in Fallbrook, California

Address: 4251 River Edge Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028, USA

Phone: +19093720138

Opening hours

Sunday: 8AM–4:30PM

Monday: 8AM–4:30PM

Tuesday: 8AM–4:30PM

Wednesday: 8AM–4:30PM

Thursday: 8AM–4:30PM

Friday: 8AM–4:30PM

Saturday: 8AM–4:30PM

Reviews

Pedro Valdivia

Jul 5, 2022

Beautiful natural setting and fun to enjoy with your family or friends. Lots of trees so most of the time you walk under shaded areas. You can spot fish and turtles on the river, and the sound of birds chirping on the trees is amazing. We've done this hike a couple of times and is an easy trail about 3 miles long round trip. Today the weather was very nice and the breeze was soothing. I highly recommend this trail and would do it over and over again!!

Larry Hoehn

Jun 7, 2022

Easy parking. There are many apparent forks in this trail that may take you off course. The Alltrails app was pretty accurate except for the half way point of the river loop. At that point, there is a deep river crossing unless you venture up the trail a little further where there are exposed rocks to make the crossing a dry one. Lots of shade during the hike.

Ravi Dhungel

Apr 5, 2022

This is trail for everyone. It’s fairly flat and easy trail. The water make this trail more beautiful, lovely and live. Walking in the water is fun. If you are lucky you will see some horses, it’s in the very low land where river is flowing. Very quiet and usually few people- been to this trail two times and would love to go third time 😕

Michael

Apr 2, 2022

Great trail for beginners and pets. You can dip your feet in the water so make sure you grab some towels and some hiking boots, the rocks can be slippery so you need some grip.

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Questions & Answers

Are dogs allowed?

Scott Stoll | Aug 22, 2021
Mark Collins | Aug 22, 2021

Yes, great place for dogs. 2 rules I found: keep them on a leash and bring baggies

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can you swim on the river?

Francisco Llamas | Jul 23, 2022
Joanna Sarinana | Jul 23, 2022

When I went last year, there were people swimming and splashing there. The river was flowing. This year, we went and the river was shallower and had less of a current, so idk if you could actually swim, but you could get dipped and refreshed if you wanted to. I did notice that since the river wasn't as full, the deeper part had still water instead of running water, which made the perfect environment for more mossy stinky water.

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Are there hiking trails with picnic bbq area near San margarita river trail? much appreciated.

Paul Lee | Jun 23, 2022
Stephanie York | Jun 23, 2022

There's no picnic or bbq area but lots of hiking and horse trails. Dogs are welcome as well.

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Is overnight camping allowed?

Estela ramos | Aug 22, 2021
Brayden Barfuss | Aug 22, 2021

No

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How many miles are from parking lot to the river.

Jesus Perez | Aug 22, 2020
Jason Swann | Aug 22, 2020

Parking lot to the most commonly used part of the river is maybe 5-10 minutes depending on age kids you bring. If you go about 1.5 miles (20-25 min.) there are several spots along the way to stop if open and hang out. Our family goes the full 1.5 mi. to a bend in the river. More secluded, not as many.people go that far. Very pretty hike and very pretty spots all along the way.

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when does the santa marguerita river trail reopen?

eleonore pum | Aug 22, 2020
B Dunn | Aug 22, 2020

Its open already. Small parking area.

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Is this trail bike friendly?

Tad G. | Aug 22, 2020
Poetess Frances Irene | Aug 22, 2020

Yes. Parts are bike trails and some are for just hiking. Great place!

How hard of a trail is this?

Diana W | Aug 22, 2020
James Conklin | Aug 22, 2020

Very easy and calming.

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Are all the equestrian trails open?

K “Kai” Kai | Aug 23, 2019
Jesus Cecena | Aug 23, 2019

There were a couple of trails closed off don't know if there still closed.

Where can I rent the horse ride ?

Kenny ng | Aug 23, 2019
H Hh | Aug 23, 2019

I saw people riding horses in the trail. Not sure if those were their own or rented.

Can a double wide stroller fit on the course of the trail?

Stephanie Tucker | Aug 23, 2019
Selina Smethurst | Aug 23, 2019

Stephanie Tucker, it is not a path for a strollers.... only real way to take the baby is on your back( baby pack) the trail is very rocky and steap.

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Is there parking available? if so, does it cost anything to park?

Ali Kuzis | Aug 23, 2018
Kim Zajac | Aug 23, 2018

Yes, there is a dirt parking lot at the trailhead. Parking is free. However, the signs say you must move your car at a specific time after the trail closes or you will be towed- and the towing is enforced almost to the dot after closing time.

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we are allowed to wade or swim in the water?

Katherine Webster | Aug 23, 2018
alejandro velasco | Aug 23, 2018

No swimming, but if the hiking trail crosses thru the creek then you can walk in it to reach the other side.

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Can i snorkol there

Jose Hernandez | Aug 23, 2018
H Hh | Aug 23, 2018

Shallow at the very upstream. U can try at the downstream but the water velocity is high. FYI, water quality probably is not so good due to a large bacteria population.

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Can i go fishing here ? Lmk asap

DARK ONE | Aug 23, 2018
alejandro velasco | Aug 23, 2018

No im sorry, its shut down to all swimmers and fisherman due to the fact that its a natural preserve, and they're trying to maintain nature by restricting most activities in the area. They also have a nice security guard who relays all rules to the public to insure their is no,confusion about the rules of this trail.

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