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.

Ontario · Parks & Hiking

Family park with a swim lagoon, summer water slides, fishing lakes, and shaded picnic areas.

Chino · Parks & Hiking

A 60-acre stocked fishing lake plus campsites with hookups (CA fishing license required for ages 16+).

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).

Beaumont · Parks & Hiking

Up the hill in Oak Glen apple country, Riley's is a working orchard and living-history farm where kids can pick apples in fall, press cider and meet farm animals. The classic autumn family outing for Pass-area families, with cooler mountain air a bonus. Open Thursday through Saturday, and fall apple-picking weekends get busy, so arrive early.

Chino Hills · Parks & Hiking

An 8-acre neighborhood park built around a man-made lake with a little waterfall, broad lawns and shady gazebos. Kids love watching the ducks while the playground and picnic areas keep everyone happy for an afternoon. Pack a blanket, and note the park can close during heavy rain when water levels rise.

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.

Riverside · Parks & Hiking

Living-history park among working orange groves with picnic lawns, trails, and a glimpse of SoCal's citrus heyday.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rialto · Parks & Hiking

This 25-acre park on N Ayala Dr is a favorite for youth soccer, with wide-open fields, gazebos and a fenced playground set back from the parking lot. The play area being separated from cars is a real plus with toddlers who bolt. Clean restrooms and drinking fountains make it easy to camp out a whole afternoon.

Rialto · Parks & Hiking

At 31 acres, Frisbie on N Acacia Ave is the big one, with playgrounds, a skate park, a dog park, softball fields and shady picnic areas. Older kids gravitate to the skate park while little ones stick to the play structures. Grab a covered picnic table early on weekends — they go fast for birthday parties.

Fontana · Parks & Hiking

A 38-acre flagship park with a big skate/BMX park, dog park, tiered playgrounds and an amphitheater. Go early before the inland heat peaks.

Ontario · Parks & Hiking

Family park with a swim lagoon, summer water slides, fishing lakes, and shaded picnic areas.

Chino · Parks & Hiking

A 60-acre stocked fishing lake plus campsites with hookups (CA fishing license required for ages 16+).

Perris · Parks & Hiking

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

Perris · Parks & Hiking

A 35-acre sports complex with scaled-down replicas of Yankee Stadium, Fenway, Dodger Stadium and the Big A, plus a playground, batting cages, and a restaurant with an arcade. Even if your family isn't playing, kids love watching games in the mini ballparks. A fun, free spot to wander, with a sit-down meal on site.

Perris · Parks & Hiking

One of the nicest free parks in town, with a splash pad, multiple play structures, basketball, and a stage that hosts Movies in the Park and the End of Summer Splash. The splash pad is the local go-to for cooling off on a hot afternoon. Mornings are best in summer before the equipment heats up.

Chino · Parks & Hiking

Chino's largest community park at roughly 140 acres, with sprawling ballfields, playgrounds, picnic shelters and batting cages. It's the classic free local pick for burning off energy or catching a weekend youth game. The batting cages need helmets and run on their own schedule, so call ahead if that's the plan.

Rancho Cucamonga · Parks & Hiking

A ~3.2-mile out-and-back to a seasonal waterfall. No dogs, no trailhead restrooms, and the lot fills on weekend mornings.

Chino Hills · Parks & Hiking

A sports complex with replica big-league ballfields where families come to watch or play in youth and adult leagues, with stadium-style settings and concessions — a fun outing even as spectators. Call ahead since access depends on league schedules and tournaments.

Chino Hills · Parks & Hiking

A spacious park anchored by baseball and softball fields, with snack shacks on game days. The McCoy Trailhead here connects to scenic hiking with local flora and wildlife, so you can pair a playground stop with a short nature walk. A favorite for youth sports, so weekends are lively.

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).

Chino Hills · Parks & Hiking

A well-equipped community park with age-specific playgrounds, an adaptive swing and a trike play area great for little ones, plus lighted courts for basketball, tennis and pickleball and a walking trail. A covered picnic area and BBQs make it an easy spot for a family gathering.

Chino Hills · Parks & Hiking

An 8-acre neighborhood park built around a man-made lake with a little waterfall, broad lawns and shady gazebos. Kids love watching the ducks while the playground and picnic areas keep everyone happy for an afternoon. Pack a blanket, and note the park can close during heavy rain when water levels rise.

Menifee · Parks & Hiking

This 11-acre park off Newport Road packs in a skate park, lighted basketball court, ball fields, a leisure playground and a walking path with fitness equipment. Three lighted picnic shelters mean shade is easy to find on a hot Inland Empire afternoon — great when you want skating and playground time in one stop.

Menifee · Parks & Hiking

An 8.7-acre neighborhood park with a modern playground featuring climbing walls, slides and toddler-friendly zones over soft rubber flooring, plus a basketball court, tennis, four lighted pickleball courts and a fitness jogging path. Covered picnic tables with BBQ grills make it easy to stay for a cookout.

Beaumont · Parks & Hiking

Beaumont's big sprawling park off Oak Valley Parkway, with playgrounds, shaded picnic ramadas, walking paths and the youth ball fields where half the town's kids play on weekends. Bring a ball and a picnic; the grassy open areas are perfect for little ones to run off energy. It also hosts community events like Spring Fling — check the rec district calendar before you go.

Menifee · Parks & Hiking

This big Valley-Wide park is a local go-to with ball fields, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and shaded play areas. There's plenty of picnic space, so pack a lunch and let the kids burn energy. Restrooms on site make a full afternoon easy.

Beaumont · Parks & Hiking

Up the hill in Oak Glen apple country, Riley's is a working orchard and living-history farm where kids can pick apples in fall, press cider and meet farm animals. The classic autumn family outing for Pass-area families, with cooler mountain air a bonus. Open Thursday through Saturday, and fall apple-picking weekends get busy, so arrive early.

Beaumont · Parks & Hiking

Just up in Cherry Valley, Bogart is the more rugged, foothill park with real hiking, biking and horse trails climbing toward the hills above town. Kids love the easy creekside loops and the lookout hike when it's not too hot. Go in the cooler morning hours, pack water, and bring cash for the entrance booth.

Hemet · Parks & Hiking

Large reservoir with shoreline trails, a marina, seasonal fishing, and an aquatic center for paddling.

Menifee · Parks & Hiking

A short drive toward Hemet gets you to one of the region's biggest reservoirs, with a marina, boat and kayak rentals, and the scenic Lakeview Trail for family hikes and biking. The panoramic water-and-valley views are worth the trip. Go early in summer to beat the heat and catch calm morning water.

Murrieta · Parks & Hiking

Oak woodlands and seasonal vernal pools; the flat Transpreserve loop is family-doable. Little shade — summer afternoons bake.

Temecula · Animals & Nature

Pig races, pony/train rides and gem mining (winery for the adults). Go a weekday in October to dodge the crush.