Carbon Canyon Regional Park is a 124-acre park in Brea, California, with a lake, recreation facilities, and Orange County’s only grove of coastal redwoods. You can follow a nature trail to the grove, then plan around the park’s seasonal hours and vehicle entry fees.
- Location: 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, California 92823.
- Size: 124 acres, including 60 developed acres.
- Redwood grove: Three acres, reached by a 1.1-mile nature trail.
- Hours: Open daily
- Vehicle entry: $3 Monday through Friday and $5 Saturday and Sunday; some holidays and event days cost more.
What does Carbon Canyon Regional Park offer?
Carbon Canyon Regional Park brings together open space, a lake, recreation facilities, and a distinctive coastal redwood grove. The park covers 124 acres, of which 60 acres are developed.
The 4-acre lake has two piers for fishing. Other amenities include a native plant garden, a nature center, and a historic dam, alongside facilities for sports and play.
The park grew from the area around Carbon Canyon Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the dam in 1961; in 1974, 114 acres upstream of it were leased to Orange County for a regional park. The park opened in 1975.
Which trails lead to the redwood grove?
A 1.1-mile nature trail leads to the grove, a three-acre stand of coastal redwoods described as the only one of its kind in Orange County. The trail length does not clarify whether it measures one way or a round trip, so plan your walk with that uncertainty in mind.
The park also has hiking and bike trails and equestrian trails. The park page does not provide live, itemized updates on which trails or facilities are open, or report current closures. Check the official site before you go for current visitor information.
Where can you picnic, play, and spend time outdoors?
Picnic areas with tables and restrooms make it possible to plan a meal in the park. Barbeques are available, and picnic shelters can be reserved.
For active time outdoors, amenities include five playgrounds, eight lighted tennis courts, two ballfields, and three volleyball courts. The lake’s two piers offer fishing access, while the park’s trails provide options for walking, biking, and riding.
Dogs are permitted on leash. For a visit that combines a walk with a picnic, you can head for the nature trail and grove first, then use the picnic facilities afterward.
What are the park hours, fees, and parking details?
The park opens daily at 7:00 a.m. Its closing time is 6:00 p.m. in fall–winter and 9:00 p.m. in spring–summer.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 7 AM–9 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Vehicle entry costs $3 Monday through Friday and $5 Saturday and Sunday. Higher fees apply on some holidays and event days. These are vehicle entry fees, rather than a separate trail ticket.
For current hours, fees, and access information, check the official site before you go. The park’s trails and facilities may not all be open, and closures are not reported through a live status listing.
For another stop on a Brea itinerary, Brea Mall combines shopping and dining.
How do you get to the park from Brea?
Carbon Canyon Regional Park is at 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, California 92823. It is about 5 miles east of the I-57 freeway on Carbon Canyon Road, also identified as SR 42. From a motel in Brea, the park is a practical local day trip.
For questions about a visit, call 714-973-3160 or 714-973-3162, or email carboncanyon@ocparks.com. The park page does not give accessibility details for trails or facilities, so contact the park directly if you need specific information before visiting.
If you are also planning time in town, Downtown Brea’s dining, arts, and getting around can help shape the rest of your visit.
FAQs
How long is the trail to the redwood grove?
The nature trail leading to the grove is 1.1 miles long. The trail length does not say whether that is one way or round trip.
Can you fish at Carbon Canyon Regional Park?
The park has a 4-acre lake with two piers for fishing.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Can you reserve a picnic shelter?
Yes. Picnic shelters are available for reservation.