San Diego Hikes: Grasslands Loop at Mission Trails
Grasslands Loop trail at San Diego’s Mission Trails Regional Park is an easy 2-mile hike. It is a perfect hike for families with children, but it can also be combined with other hikes in the park.
- Starting Point: 2 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119 (by Kumeyaay Lake Campground entrance)
- Length: 2 miles
- Elevation: 100 foot gain and loss
- Type: Loop
Mission Trails Regional Park is a huge park with four major access points. Grasslands Loop is located in the northeast section by the Old Mission Dam and the East Fortuna Staging Area.
The location is right off the 52 freeway by Mission Gorge Road. If you are coming from the visitor center it is at the end of the one-way Father Junipero Serra Trail. There is free parking at Old Mission Dam and also along Father Junipero Serra Trail.
The main access point for the loop is Grasslands Crossing, located east of the dam on Father Junipero Serra Trail near Kumeyaay Lake Campground. The crossing leads down a short path along bridges that cross the San Diego River. This area is covered by trees and almost looks like a swamp in Louisiana.
The short path comes out at the official start of Grasslands Loop. At this point the scenery opens up to the huge grassland area. The peaks of Mission Trails are clearly visible. On the far right is North Fortuna, next to North Fortuna on the left is South Fortuna. To the far left is Kwaay Peak on the left side of Mission Gorge which cuts between Kwaay and the Fortuna mountains.
At Grasslands Loop there is the option to go left or right. We tend to be counter-clockwise hikes so we always turn right. A short distance some trails will split off to the right to the East Fortuna Staging Area. Bear to the left to stay on the loop.
This heads directly towards North Fortuna mountain where there is a major intersection with North Fortuna Perimeter Trail. Grasslands Loop continues to the left. Going right goes on a steep hike up North Fortuna.
Turning left heads directly toward Old Mission Dam. At this point the trail parallels Oak Canyon Trail, which is directly to the right. Oak Canyon Trail is a great hike and can be combined with Grasslands Loop to add a little extra challenge.
At the Old Mission Dam overlook the trail makes another left turn. The overlook provides a nice view of the dam. Note you could start Grasslands Loop at the dam parking lot. This would add about a mile to the hike.
As you head back to the Grasslands Crossing area make sure and stop at the grinding rocks. These rocks are directly off the trail on the left. They were used by the Kumeyaay Indians to grind spices and other food.
Right past the grinding rocks you will complete the loop and turn right to head out the way you came at Grasslands Crossing.
The entire Grasslands Loop can be done in under half an hour and is almost completely flat. For a longer hike you can start at Old Mission Dam or East Fortuna Staging Area. Both these locations add about a mile to the hike with no uphill.
If you want to climb up a mountain, the trail up Kwaay Peak is right across the street from Grasslands Crossing along Father Juniperro Serra Trail. This is the shortest peak in Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge.
For more hikes in Mission Trails Regional Park be sure and check out our full guide.
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