If you’re looking for a great hike in North County San Diego, you can’t go wrong with this amazing Lake Calavera hiking trail! It’s beautiful and has plenty of plant and animal wildlife, and is perfect for an evening or weekend hike. It’s also takes you up to an extinct volcano! Want to know more about where to go, how to hike this trail, and everything else you need to know before you go? Read on!
What is Lake Calavera, Carlsbad?
Lake Calavera is a man-made lake in Carlsbad, California. The dam was constructed in 1940 and it was originally used as an agricultural reserve. Today, it is simply a recreational body of water and is part of the 256-acre Lake Calavera Preserve.
This preserve was established as part of the city’s attempt to protect the diversity of plants and wildlife in San Diego County, and Carlsbad notes that there are four sensitive plant species and twelve sensitive animal species making the preserve their home. This preserve is also home to a great diversity of wildlife (including birds you wouldn’t usually see in upland coastal sage scrub habitats, such as egrets, herons, and other waterfowl). And because it neighbors with the Carlsbad Highlands Ecological Reserve, there are plenty of trails to explore throughout this area!
Notably, Mount Calavera stands nearby, which was once one of the smallest volcanoes in North America. While it was at one point active, it is now extinct and safe to explore. As you walk around the lake and explore the surrounding areas you will easily spot the columnar joints (six-sided columns of cooled lava) that give the mountain its distinctive look.
Lake Calavera Hiking Trail Experience
The Lake Calavera Preserve and the neighboring Carlsbad Highlands Ecological Reserve are gorgeous areas with a large network of trails to explore. At one point, there was a high concentration of social trails (informal trails cause by traffic from people and animals) but in recent years they have tried to clean up the paths so that only the main and approved ones are still in use.
Part of the lake trail is paved, part is dirt and rocks, and yet another part crosses a creek so it uses a bridge made of wood. But my first impression upon arriving here was that I really didn’t know where to go! There were a lot of clear trails leading in different directions (and a lot that were clearly marked as not trails) but no real signs telling you where to start or which direction to proceed to get to where you want to go. As more of an urban hike (with neighborhoods just outside the preserve) I was surprised to see such a lack of organization.
So we just chose a trail and decided to see where it leads, and honestly, I have to say this is the best way to explore the Lake Calavera hiking trail! Of course, you must stay on the main trails (don’t create your own!) but within this you really get a choose-your-own-adventure that is quite delightful.
So we started our trek by walking across the dam and admiring the gorgeous blue of the water. There were ducks splashing in the lake, and tons of dogs on the paths out for a stroll with their owners.
One thing I really enjoyed was that there is such a diversity of plant life here, and if you go in the spring you will be treated to the sight of so many vibrant and beautiful flowers!
As you continue around the loop trail, you’ll come to a trail that leads steeply up the mountain. While at first you may be unsure if this really is the trail because it’s so steep, this is in fact the way you get up to see the top of Mount Calavera up close. There are signs on the way up this trail, as well as at the viewing area at the top, so you know it is a marked trail that you are free to follow.
As you walk into this area, you get your first close look at the columns of lava that cooled here into columnar joints. It is a really unique landscape, and one that you wouldn’t expect to see in Carlsbad!
Following the trail up to the foot of this lava formation leads you to a rock maze made by previous hikers, as well as sometimes a fun little message. When I was there last, the rocks read “HOPE.” You are welcome to wander through the rock maze, and this is particularly fun for children!
From this point, there is a trail that leads up to the lava columns, but I don’t recommend taking this trail to get to the top of the mountain as it is super steep and the rocks come loose very easily. If you happen to step wrong, you could go tumbling down the side. Some people do take this trail, but it’s a risk I wouldn’t personally take. Instead, you can continue along one of the trails that leads around the mountain until you come to a more stable trail leading up the side.
Making it to the top of the mountain provides you with excellent views over the lake and over the nearby neighborhoods! It is so beautiful, especially on a sunny day. However, when I was there in spring there were bees everywhere on the top of Mount Calavera. They kept flying into my hair and getting stuck and it was unpleasant for all involved—both for me and for the bees.
It’s important to note that this trail along the top of the extinct volcano requires you to walk very close to the edge of the mountain, so if you have bees in your hair like I did you’ll want to be careful not to freak out and accidentally go over the edge. And if you’re bringing any kids along, you may want to skip this part of the trail (it’s not actually a necessary part of the Lake Calavera loop as there is a lower trail that bypasses the mountain altogether) However, if you’re feeling adventurous and want the best view in the area, as well as to say you’ve been to the top of a volcano in Carlsbad, then this is definitely part of the trail you should take!
The Lake Loop Trail is only 1.9 miles, but because of the nature of the trail system you really could make this shorter or longer depending on your hiking preferences. The trail connects up with lots of other trails including the Oak Riparian Loop Trail (1.4 miles), the East Loop Trail (0.9 miles), the Monkey Flower Trail (0.9 miles) and the Serpantine Trail (0.7 miles). None of these trails are particularly well-marked, so you won’t really know if you’re on one of them unless perhaps you’re following a map very closely, but as you’re never very far from civilization there’s no real danger of getting lost and not being able to find your way out. There is also cell service in the area if that makes you feel better, so really just get out into nature and enjoy the discovery process!
How to Get to the Calavera Lake Trail and other FAQ
Here are a few things you may want to know before you go to Lake Calavera!
1. Where do I go and where do I park at Lake Calavera?
To get to this hiking area, I like to drive to the Lake Calavera Trailhead and park on the side of the road. There’s lots of easy parallel parking available for free, and you can simply park your car and then hop out and start exploring.
2. Are there restrooms at the trail?
There is a small outhouse-type restroom near the Lake Calavera Trailhead mentioned above. You will see it before crossing the dam.
3. Are there maps of the trail?
When I’ve been there, there have been guides for dog owners (about taking your dogs on the trails) but there have been no physical maps for you to take with you on the trails. There is one large map on the side of the above-mentioned restroom, which you can take a look at or take a picture of before you head out on the trails.
However, if you know you want to follow a specific route or if you are concerned about finding your way around, you can also download a trail map here.
4. Can I fish or swim in the lake?
Lake Calavera in Carlsbad is a recreational lake, but one that is purely for beauty’s sake and meant to be enjoyed by looking at it…not by fishing or swimming, unfortunately. The water here is solely from rainfall and from urban runoff, so it’s really not recommended to fish or swim in it.
5. Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are allowed on the Lake Calavera trails as long as they are on a leash and you clean up after them. Tons of dog owners love to bring their dogs here, so the more the merrier!
6. Can I ride my bike here?
Bikes are allowed on most of the trails, although there are a few places they require you to dismount and walk your bike. Motorized vehicles and horses are not allowed, though.
Interested in more things to do in San Diego and San Diego County? Check out this San Diego bucket list!
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