Del Dios Highlands County Preserve

Del Dios Highlands County Preserve is the name despite one sign on the property calling it Del Dios Highlands Preserve and another calling it Del Dios County Preserve… One trail runs through the preserve, and it is, unsurprisingly, called Del Dios Highlands Trail. The trail consists of dirt/gravel and is wide enough to accommodate vehicles but is meant for hikers, equestrians, and cyclists. The trail is a one-way uphill climb of 1.3 miles. At the 1.3-mile mark you have the option of continuing your hike by entering the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve or turning around. The parking lot/staging area is a dirt parking lot with enough space for cars, SUVs, trucks with horse trailers, etc. Being a dirt parking lot, it may not be a good idea to go there during or after a heavy rain unless you are equipped for and/or don’t mind driving through mud. The staging area has a kiosk but no other services like water or restrooms. The preserve does not charge a fee.

Trail is bit steep. Be sure to gear up, specially right shoes. There bathroom and water at halfway picnic area. No shades. It's little bit packed during weekend and sunny day but totally acceptable. Recommend for people with basic fitness level. But do not fret because there many break point on the way up! The trail to lake are mostly sealed off.

Loved this hike! Great for beginners. Cam do all sorts of lengths. First 1.3 Miles are steep but on a path, no scrambling. Stay to the left for great views and picnic area.

Really nice panoramic views at the top. Good workout getting up the hill. Actually didn’t quite realize how steep it is until we descended back down. The downward hill from this side is hard on the knees. Also, took our trail dog and the 6ish miles was hard on her paws. She’s normally good, but if you bring your dog, make sure you have plenty of water, and check their paws. The rocky and dry conditions were tough for our dog.

Good access point from the south side of the mountain range to the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve and the Olivenhain Reservoir. Why the area is called the Del Dios Preserve and the adjacent area the Elfin Forest Reserve is unclear ... but their division is about 1.5 miles up and there is gate and sign delineating the two. But it is another option if you are coming from the south as opposed to driving all the way to Valley Parkway and through Harmony Grove. Wide decomposed gravel road most of the way up with some fairly steep places... probably a 25 degree grade. You can see the back side of the reservoir most of the way up. Once you cross into Elfin Forest you can see the reservoir and access the trails that go around it. It was about an 1:15 minutes from the parking lot up into Elfin Forest to the Ray Brooks Overlook which is on the north side of the dam.