Overview
O’Neill Regional Park is 4,500 acres and is situated in beautiful Trabuco and Live Oak Canyons. The park serves both as overnight camping and a day-use/picnic facility. The park is heavily wooded with coastal live oak and sycamore trees. The hillsides surrounding the park are filled with cactus, wild buckwheat, sagebrush, and chaparral of scrub oak, buckthorn, and mountain mahogany.
Adventure
O’Neil Regional Park offers an adventitious getaway for any van lifer while still being in the city. The park has 23 miles of hiking trails to explore and horseback riding at the local stable. It’s sitting at the base of the saddleback mountains, which at over 5000feet, offers a great day 18 miles hike to the top and back.
Trabuco and Hickey Creeks also meander through the park, flowing in winter and early spring, dry in summer and fall.
Picnic areas vary in size and are available on a first-come, first-served basis or by reservation. Barbeques and picnic tables are available throughout the park. Call the park for more information.
Brochure: O’Neill Regional Park Brochure
Hiking
There is 23 miles of hiking trails that go throughout the park that you can explore. Trails range from easy to moderate. Horseback riding is allowed on a few of these trails.
For a more challenging hike, use O’Neil Park as a basecamp and hike to the top of Saddleback Peak. The hike is 18-miles round trip on the Holly Jim Trail. The trailhead is approximately 4-miles from the park.
Map: O’Neill Regional Park Map
Camping
The Arroyo campground offers 79 campsites varying in size to accommodate RVs or tent camping for up to eight people per site. Reservations for individual sites can be made online, phone, or in person. The park offers eight large group campsites for parties of 17 or more and five equestrian campsites, each equipped with horse corrals, barbeques, and fire pits.
Visit: Reservation Systems
Parking
Parking fees (day use): $3 per vehicle entry Monday – Friday; $5 Saturday – Sunday; Higher for some holidays and events.
References and Other Adventures
- Website: O’Neil Regional Park
- Map: O’Neill Regional Park Map
- O’Neill Regional Park Brochure
- Park Phone Number: (949) 923-2260
- Sun – Sat: 7:00 AM – Sunset
Places to Visit in Fullerton while Traveling in a Van
There are many amazing places to visit while in Fullerton. Fullerton is home to Cal State Fullerton, one of the largest colleges in Southern California. Besides Cal State Fullerton, there is also Fullerton College and Hope International University. So that means the city has over 50K college students, which gives it a vibrant nightlife with plenty of bars and over 200 restaurants.
Chino Hills State Park
Chino Hills State Park is a 14,102-acre park right in the middle of Los Angeles that is perfect for any van or RV lifer who wants to spend the day exploring. It’s a unique park in that it provides refuge for both biodiversity and solitude to the visitors who enjoy their outdoor experiences. The park allows its visitors to hike, mountain bike, or ride a horse on miles of trails.
