Mountain biking in Laguna Beach

Three parks, three rule sets

Laguna Beach sits between two OC Parks wilderness parks, and Crystal Cove State Park lies up the coast. OC Parks sets the rules at the first two, and California State Parks sets them at Crystal Cove. The city’s own rules, for streets, sidewalks and city parks, are on the biking page. The wilderness trails are the mountain biking.

OC Parks’ maps give each trail a difficulty and a symbol set. A bike symbol means the trail is open to bikes. Trails marked hiking only carry no bike symbol. Authorized trails are marked with posts, and OC Parks calls any other trail unauthorized.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

OC Parks lists mountain biking here. Its November 2025 map puts a bike symbol on 17 trails. A sample:

• Easy: Stagecoach North (0.75 mile), Upper Laurel (0.65 mile).
• Moderate: Boat Road (1.3 miles), Water Tank (1.5), Emerald Canyon Road (3), Bommer Ridge (3.75), Serrano Ridge (4), Stagecoach South (4.2).
• Difficult: Big Bend (1.5), Laguna Bowl (1.5), Laguna Ridge (1.25), Lizard (1.2), Willow Canyon Road (1.5).

Laguna Ridge, Lizard, Old Emerald and Old Emerald Falls carry hiker and bike symbols without a horse. Thirteen trails are hiking only, including the two by Barbara’s Lake and Laurel Canyon Trail. The Boat Road page covers the south end, and the park guide covers staging areas. Dogs and all e-bikes are banned.

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

OC Parks’ August 2023 map shows bikes on most of the park’s trails. A sample:

• Easy: Wood Canyon Trail (3 miles), West Ridge Trail (2.5), Aliso Summit Trail (2), Coyote Run Trail (1.25).
• Moderate: Cholla Trail (0.35 mile).
• Difficult: Canyon Acres (1), Car Wreck (1), Rock-it (1.25), Sheep Run (1.25), Mathis Canyon (1.5).

Aliso Peak, Cave Rock, Nature, Toovet, Valido and Wood Creek trails are hiking only. The Dripping Cave trail is a 0.20-mile spur open to bikes. A 10 mph speed limit applies at all times. OC Parks’ amenities page requires helmets for riders under 18 and strongly recommends them for everyone, and it says some trails gain or lose more than 600 feet. OC Parks bans e-bikes on unpaved trails, types 1 to 3. The map puts an e-bike symbol on the Aliso Creek Bike Trail, so ask the park office at (949) 923-2200 where e-bikes may ride.

Crystal Cove State Park

State Parks says the Moro Canyon backcountry has 2,400 undeveloped acres of fire roads and single-track trails for hiking, biking and horse riding. Trails are open 6 a.m. to sunset. Stay on designated trails, and pets are not allowed in the backcountry. State Parks lists vehicle day use at $15, or $20 at special rates, as of October 2026. For e-bikes, its table allows class 1 only on roads and trails from the Moro Canyon area coastward and closes the other inland trails. Call (949) 494-3539 to confirm.

Wet trails

OC Parks says trails may close for three days or more after rain at both wilderness parks, and its rules call each park subject to closure in rainy weather. Crystal Cove says trails may close for weather or public safety and names no wait. Call the park office first. OC Parks and State Parks both tell you to stay on designated trails.

Guided rides, shops and trail days

As of October 28, 2026, XEN MTB lists guided mountain bike tours and a Laguna Coast Wilderness ride of 12.5 miles at intermediate level, 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Its page shows no price. The Laguna Canyon Foundation’s events calendar lists hikes, stewardship days and nature walks but no bike rides. It maintains 26 miles of singletrack and holds volunteer trail work days from October to June.

This page lists no bike shop or rental.

Before you ride

Pick up a map at the park, check the day’s conditions and the sunset time, and keep to the posted trails. For walking routes in the same parks, see the hiking guide.