Best Parks & Nature in the Inland Empire With Kids

Perris · Parks & Hiking

Big sandy swim beach, boat/kayak/paddleboard rentals, fishing and camping. Arrive early for parking on hot days.

Yucaipa · Parks & Hiking

Three fishing lakes, playgrounds, pedal-boat rentals, disc golf, trails and picnic shelters make this an all-day park; the half-acre swim lagoon with dual-flume slides is summer only, with a 48-inch height minimum for the slides. Fishing permits are per person and the county stocks on Thursdays, so aim for a Thursday visit.

Ontario · Parks & Hiking

Family park with a splash pad, fishing lakes, and shaded picnic areas on the site of a former Cucamonga-area winery. Established in 1976, the park still keeps an old wooden wine vat on the grounds as a nod to its past, alongside two fishing lakes and wide picnic areas for groups.

Chino · Parks & Hiking

A big San Bernardino County regional park on the Chino side of the Santa Ana River with a fishing lake, wide lawns, shaded picnic shelters and a disc golf course. Pack a rod and buy a day fishing permit, or just bring bikes and let the kids loose on the flat paths. Weekends fill with birthday parties, so arrive early for a good picnic spot.

Chino Hills · Parks & Hiking

90+ miles of trails with almost no shade and common rattlesnakes — go early, carry water, and skip it after rain (the clay roads close).

Jurupa Valley · Parks & Hiking

A big Riverside County park along the Santa Ana River with playgrounds, mini-golf, disc golf and a stocked fishing lake. The day-use fee is cheap and buys a whole afternoon; pack a picnic and claim a shaded table early on weekends. Little kids love the ducks and the fishing pond even if you don't cast a line.

Jurupa Valley · Parks & Hiking

A big Riverside County park along the Santa Ana River with playgrounds, mini-golf, disc golf and a stocked fishing lake. The day-use fee is cheap and buys a whole afternoon; pack a picnic and claim a shaded table early on weekends. Little kids love the ducks and the fishing pond even if you don't cast a line.

Riverside · Parks & Hiking

Paved 3.2-mile loop to a summit cross with big views, doable with older kids. Park free at Ryan Bonaminio Park, not the residential streets.

Jurupa Valley · Parks & Hiking

Part of a 40-acre parkland along the Santa Ana River with an old pecan grove, native plant gardens and easy walking trails. A quiet, free spot for a stroller-friendly nature walk and a favorite for spotting birds and lizards. Wear closed shoes and bring water, since shade is patchy and the trails are unpaved.

Riverside · Parks & Hiking

Historic Olmsted-firm park with lakes, a splash pad, playgrounds and swan pedal boats.

Free; boat rentals extra

Riverside · Parks & Hiking

Living-history park among working orange groves with picnic lawns, trails, and a glimpse of SoCal's citrus heyday. Almost half of the 248-acre park is planted with more than 100 citrus varieties, tracing back to 1873, when the USDA sent Riverside resident Eliza Tibbets two of the first navel orange trees grown in California — trees that helped launch the state's entire citrus industry. Trails wind through the working groves past historic buildings and exhibits explaining how citrus reshaped the region.

Free; parking ~$5

Moreno Valley · Parks & Hiking

This county reserve above Moreno Valley is where you go for wide-open Inland Empire views and the trail out to the giant hillside 'M' landmark. Trails are exposed and rocky, so it's best for families with older kids — go early morning to beat the heat and bring plenty of water. Access from Box Springs Mountain Road, and watch for wildflowers in spring.

Jurupa Valley · Parks & Hiking

Life-size dinosaur replicas, a rock/fossil collection and gem-mining sluice — a quirky hit with dino-obsessed little kids.

Eastvale · Parks & Hiking

Just south along the Santa Ana River, this 1,500-acre preserve has miles of easy hiking and a self-guided nature trail, plus a Nature Center open Saturdays where kids can see local wildlife exhibits. Parking is cash-only, so bring small bills. Go early in summer to beat the heat, and watch for birds and river views along the flatter sections.

Norco · Animals & Nature

The city-run 80-acre center (covered arenas, a barn, a hall and a lawn) is the heart of Horsetown USA and hosts horse shows, gymkhanas, rodeos and family days. Each event sets its own admission and hours, so check the calendar before driving out and bring cash for parking at big events.

Norco · Animals & Nature

A guided horse-drawn wagon ride of about 45 minutes tours Norco's riverbed trails and neighborhoods — the easiest way for toddlers and grandparents to experience Horsetown USA. Trail rides need riders age 7 or older; the campfire and s'mores add-on runs Friday–Sunday only.

Colton · Parks & Hiking

A 13.7-acre city park at 290 E O St with a seasonal splash pad, two playground areas (one for tots), ball fields and picnic shelters with BBQs, beside the Luque Community Center and branch library. The city page gives no splash-pad dates, so call before bringing swimsuits.

Jurupa Valley · Parks & Hiking

A well-kept neighborhood park with a playground and a summer splash pad that's a lifesaver on hot Inland Empire afternoons. The whole thing is free — an easy no-plan outing when you just need to burn off energy. Pack towels and a change of clothes in summer, because kids will not leave the splash pad dry.

Fontana · Parks & Hiking

A 150-acre park with trails into the Jurupa Hills, a playground and picnic shelters. Hike early — little shade, scorching afternoons.

Colton · Parks & Hiking

A 2.26-acre park at 955 Torrey Pines Dr with a fully replaced playground, a picnic shelter with tables and BBQs, restrooms and a turf area. Parking is street-only, so plan on a short walk from the car.

Fontana · Parks & Hiking

A low-key nature center with live animal exhibits and easy trails in the Southridge area — great for young kids.

Eastvale · Parks & Hiking

At nearly 47 acres this is the open-space giant in town, with wide soccer fields, a jogging and biking loop, restrooms, and well-designed playgrounds for various ages. It hosts big community events like Picnic In The Park, and the room to run makes it great for kites, scooters, and tag. Bring your own shade — the grassy expanses are wide open.

Moreno Valley · Parks & Hiking

A neighborhood favorite for younger kids thanks to its enclosed splash pad right next to a shaded playground. Because the water area is fenced, little ones can't wander off, and the layout lets you park at a picnic table and watch both zones at once. The splash pad runs seasonally, so pack towels and arrive earlier for shade and parking.

Moreno Valley · Parks & Hiking

Six acres of green space next to Bethune Elementary with ball fields, picnic shelters, a playground and a summer splash pad that's a local go-to on hot days. The splash pad runs roughly Memorial Day through early September and also fires up on weekdays when temps hit 95+. Grab a picnic shelter early on weekends.

Rialto · Parks & Hiking

A smaller, mellow 3.4-acre neighborhood park on W Etiwanda Ave with a playground, basketball court and shaded picnic spots. The kind of low-key green space you hit when you just need to burn off energy without a big production. Reserve the shelter through the city if you want a guaranteed table for a gathering.

Loma Linda · Parks & Hiking

Loma Linda's largest neighborhood park at 11800 Mountain View Ave with a playground, lighted walking track, basketball, two lighted tennis courts and a fenced dog park with small- and large-dog sections. The track gives older kids a safe loop for scooters and bikes while little ones use the playground.

Eastvale · Parks & Hiking

The big all-in-one Eastvale park: a large playground, ball fields with batting cages, a walking path, and a 10,000 sq ft skate park with bowls and ramps. There's also a fenced dog park split into big-dog and small-dog sides. Come early on weekends when the youth ballgames pack the lot.

Eastvale · Parks & Hiking

A local favorite for hot days thanks to its free splash pad, plus two playgrounds for different ages, shaded picnic tables with BBQs, and walking paths. Pack towels and water shoes since the splash area has no shade right over it. The picnic tables fill up fast on summer weekends, so stake one out early.

Rialto · Parks & Hiking

Rialto's downtown anchor park on E San Bernardino Ave, with a modern playground, ball fields, sports courts and outdoor fitness gear. A solid mid-morning stop before it heats up. Street parking fills fast on Little League game days, so aim for a weekday if you want the playground to yourselves.

Fontana · Parks & Hiking

A neighborhood park with a playground, a seasonal pool, and an amphitheater with a splash pad that hosts free community concerts and festivals.