Annie’s Canyon (formally known as “The Mushroom Caves”) is one of California’s best slot canyons and is located in North County San Diego’s San Elijo Lagoon. Hiking the Annie’s Canyon Trail is an unforgettable adventure for all ages. The 1.5-mile Annie’s Canyon Trail took less than an hour with our eight-year-old son. However, there is plenty more to explore when visiting the San Elijo Lagoon. If you want to expand your day beyond Annie’s Canyon, make sure to read this post about visiting the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center and surrounding trails.
In this post, I will give you all of the details you need to plan your family’s adventure hiking the Annie’s Canyon Trail. Although temporarily closed for a portion of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annie’s Canyon Trail is now open to the public and ready to be explored. Take an hour or so this week to do exactly that!
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WHERE IS ANNIE’S CANYON?
Just off of I-5 in Solana Beach, the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Preserve is home to Annie’s Canyon. Although the slot canyon is located just west of I-5, the trailhead is located at the end of Rios Avenue in Solana Beach. Areas in the surrounding neighborhood were once used to access Annie’s Canyon, but many of these trailheads have been closed and are no longer accessible.
WHERE TO PARK FOR ANNIE’S CANYON
In order to access Annie’s Canyon, you will need to enter the San Elijo Lagoon from the south side in Solana Beach. Park responsibly along Rios Avenue to access the Annie’s Canyon trailhead. Parking is free, but please remember you are parking in a neighborhood. Be mindful of driveways and no parking signs. There are two entrances to the San Elijo Lagoon at the end of the Rios Avenue cul-de-sac. Take the entrance on the right, heading East and pictured below, to access the Annie’s Canyon Trail.
WHEN SHOULD I VISIT ANNIE’S CANYON?
Early morning is a great time to visit due to the popularity of the Annie’s Canyon Trail. Weekends and holidays tend to be especially crowded, so if you are looking to avoid sharing the slot with many others, aim for weekday mornings.
Annie’s Canyon is NOT open at night. All trails in the San Elijo Lagoon are only accessible from sunrise-sunset. Before the slot canyon was open to the public, it was an illicit party spot for locals. This not-so-glamourous history of Annie’s Canyon can be seen as you climb through and pass remnants of graffiti, carvings, and fire damage to the sandstone. Thanks to an anonymous donation, locals were able to clean it up and open it to the public. Make sure to follow the signage for the trail and not venture off. There are dangerous sections of the canyon that have been closed for a reason!
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE ANNIE’S CANYON HIKE?
The Annie’s Canyon Trail is rated as strenuous, but the walk to and from the canyon is rather easy. However, when you reach the slot canyon, it will require some climbing and pulling yourself up at times. At the end of the slot, you climb a small ladder to exit the canyon. This highly-trafficked trail can become very crowded. If you are visiting during peak times, you may feel claustrophobic in the actual slot portion of the trail.
ACCESSIBILITY ON THE TRAIL
The trails through the lagoon that lead to Annie’s Canyon are rather flat and wide. However, Annie’s Canyon is not stroller-friendly and is labeled as a more strenuous adventure. The popularity of this trail can make it feel especially crowded as you begin wedging through the canyon walls.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING ON MY HIKE?
Although the experience of the slot canyon is incredibly unique, it is only about 1/4-mile of the 1.5-mile hike. As with any hike, plan to bring water and wear sturdy shoes. You will definitely want a camera when you get to the top of the canyon. Bird lovers should bring binoculars for birdwatching along the lagoon.
There are no bathrooms on the trail or at the trailhead. The closest restroom is on the other side of the lagoon at the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Preserve Nature Center. The trailhead starts in a neighborhood, so make sure to pack all trash out of the trail and neighborhood to take home with you.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR KIDS HIKING ANNIE’S CANYON
When hiking with kids, I recommend making sure they have sturdy shoes due to the slippery nature of the sandstone in the canyon. If your little one is sensitive, I also recommend long sleeves to avoid scrapes from the walls during the narrowest portion of the canyon. As always when hiking with kids, it does not hurt to have some bandaids in case of a fall or scratch that only a bandaid can magically “fix!”
If you plan to explore more of the lagoon trails that branch off of the Annie’s Canyon Trail, I also recommend binoculars for kids. The Nature Center is a great stop on the way to pick up the Kids in Parks Track Trails brochures. These brochures will help them identify the different birds in the lagoon while they work to earn free prizes via snail mail! Check the link above for more details on the program
If you are hiking Annie’s Canyon with a baby, I highly recommend an Ergobaby baby carrier or something similar. It is important to have a carrier that allows you to maneuver through the canyon walls easily. You will also want to cradle the baby’s head with your hands as you wedge through the narrowest spots of the canyon. We love our Osprey Poco Child Carrier, but it would not work well in Annie’s Canyon, nor would similar backpack-style carriers.
IS ANNIE’S CANYON DOG-FRIENDLY?
Most of the Annie’s Canyon Trail is flat and great for dogs. However, the slot portion of the canyon is not dog-friendly. I have seen people trying to wedge their frightened dogs up the canyon, and it looks ridiculous. Unless you have a tiny dog you can carry like a baby, please don’t do that to your dog. Especially with the ladder at the end. If you have your dog with you, skip the slot and take the switchback trail up for the views from the top of the canyon.
ANNIE’S CANYON TRAIL GUIDE
After finding your parking spot on Rios Avenue in Solana Beach, walk towards the lagoon at the end of the street. Take the entrance on the right, towards the east, to begin your adventure! As you head down the small hill, the brush clears and you’ll get some incredible views of the lagoon. Keep an eye out for birds perched on the brush.
About a 1/4 mile down the trail, you’ll reach a fork in your path. Continue straight for the most direct route, or head left to the 1/2-mile Gemma Parks Loop that brings you closer to the wetlands. Although a bit longer, this is a more scenic route that provides great lagoon views and benches for birdwatching or a quick snack.
After the Gemma Parks Loop Trail, you will connect back to the main Annie’s Canyon trail. The entrance to the slot canyon is clearly marked when you reach the grove of eucalyptus trees. As you head towards the canyon, you will reach a sign that explains your two options. The slot canyon is one-way, so if you want to hike through the sandstone, you will head to the right. If you are looking for an easier route, head left up the switchbacks for an incredible view of the lagoon from the top of the canyon.
ENTERING THE SLOT CANYON
As you head into the sandstone, you will notice the trail begins to narrow as the walls around you appear to grow.
Shortly after, everything begins to narrow and you will have moments where you have to lift yourself up through the sandstone.
On the left, you will see the largest “mushroom cave” still covered in graffiti and fire damage. You can take a moment to climb in, but this area does get crowded. It is a great place to pass other hikers or let other parties pass if you want to spread out before the upcoming narrowest portion of the canyon.
From here, things get VERY tight, but only for a few more feet.
Once you reach the ladder, you are almost done! One final climb to the top!
THE TOP OF ANNIE’S CANYON
Once you are here, you will find the views are worth it! This is a great spot to soak it all in. It is incredible to see the cars flying to your right down I-5. Living down here you sometimes forget the beauty right next to you when you come and go on the freeway. Pretty amazing to stop and look around. You know we have to pause to have one of our favorite kombuchas up here!
After you take in the view, head down the switchbacks to exit the canyon. This portion of the trail is open both ways for hikers who opt to skip the slot canyon and just want to take in the view. You will end up right where you started, completing the full loop that is Annie’s Canyon.
At this point, let the kids take some time to explore the stumps under the trees in the Eucalyptus grove. From here, you decide whether to head back to the Rios Avenue entrance where you parked or continue exploring the various trails of the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Preserve.
Have you hiked Annie’s Canyon? Any tips you have for doing it with kids?
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