About Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area

Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area is a five thousand acre region of public land located east of Chula Vista, home to trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The landscape is mostly peaceful grass and chaparral strewn hills and low peaks, with some areas of oak forest and boulder formations. The Hollenbeck Canyon Trail is a nice 4.5 mile out and back that highlights the beauty of this region. Keep an eye out for red-tail hawks, barn owls, and golden eagles; coyotes, gray foxes, and bobcats; mule deer, rabbits, and definitely rattle snakes.

This area is exposed with very little cover so we would recommend going in the winter – with the added bonus that after rain it will be lush and green with sporadic wildflowers. Also, hunting dove, quail, and rabbits is allowed during open seasons (intermittently from July to January) so make sure you don’t get Elmer Fudded.

Best Parts

• Getting away from it all
• Moving your body
• Seeing animals

Behind The Counter

In southwestern San Diego County there is a patchwork of public lands that together create a near continuous wildlife corridor and ecological reserve stretching from Chula Vista in the west to Cleveland National Forest in the east, Jamul in the north to the Mexican border in the south. These public lands are managed by numerous public entities, both federal and state. These include the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve (CDFW), Sycuan Peak Ecological Reserve (CDFW), San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS), Otay Mountain Wilderness Area (BLM), and Cleveland National Forest (USFS).

The Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area was purchased by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2001.