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Outdoors

Wildlife viewing and birding near Menifee

Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Menifee for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.

20places to see wildlife
16 mito the closest
4within 30 miles

Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.

Closest picks

1

Falcon Group

16 mi west · USDA Forest Service

Falcon Group Campground has three individual group campsites just off the scenic Ortega Highway in Southern California, which connects San Juan Capistrano and Temecula Valley Highway.

2

Boulder Basin

26 mi east · USDA Forest Service

Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is recommended with a minimum ground clearance of 6 inches. Drive at your own risk.

Map of all 20 places

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Within 30 miles (4)

16 mi west · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Falcon Group

Falcon Group Campground has three individual group campsites just off the scenic Ortega Highway in Southern California, which connects San Juan Capistrano and Temecula Valley Highway.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Photography
  • Scenic Drive
  • Star Gazing
  • Wilderness

26 mi east · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Boulder Basin

Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is recommended with a minimum ground clearance of 6 inches. Drive at your own risk.

  • Backpacking
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Mountain Biking
  • Picnicking

28 mi north · USDA Forest Service

San Bernardino National Forest

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting

30 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Prado Dam

This San Bernardino County Parks managed area is an oasis within one of the fastest growing areas of Southern California. Riverside County and the City of Corona also provide recreation facilities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

30 to 75 miles (16)

37 mi north · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Shady Cove Group Campground

Shady Cove Group Campground is a beautiful place to camp within the Children's National Forest. It provides access to numerous trails and a lookout tower, with a climbing area nearby.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Ranger programs
  • Wildlife viewing

38 mi northeast · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Lobo Group

The Lobo Group Campground is nestled in the beautiful Barton Flats area of the San Bernardino Mountains. It is surrounded by picturesque pine trees, providing ample shade and miles of scenic landscapes.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Ranger programs
  • Wildlife viewing

38 mi northeast · USDA Forest Service · Campground

San Gorgonio

The San Gorgonio Campground provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, as well as a beautiful location in which to enjoy nature.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Ranger programs
  • Wildlife viewing

41 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers

Carbon Canyon Dam

Managed by Orange County, there is no permanent pool, but varied facilities such as fishing, picnic areas, a nature trail, and tennis. The site of the historic oil boom town of Olinda. Adjoins Chino Hills State Park.

  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Picnicking
  • Wildlife viewing

41 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

San Gorgonio Wilderness

This wilderness is part of the eastern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains with topography rapidly changing from low, rolling foothills and canyons to steep, rugged mountains. Elevations range from 2,300 to 5,500 feet.

  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Photography
  • Wilderness
  • Wildlife viewing

41 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

Sand to Snow National Monument

Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.

  • Accessible Swimming
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Photography
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Winter sports

43 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve/ACEC is well recognized as an important wildlife corridor that links BLM's San Gorgonio Wilderness with the San Bernardino National Forest and Joshua Tree National Park.

  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Ranger programs
  • Wildlife viewing

43 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers

Fullerton Dam

Managed by Orange County, CA, there are facilities fishing, picnics, nature exhibits, handball and field sports. No permanent pool.

  • Picnicking
  • Wildlife viewing

45 mi east · Bureau of Land Management

Palms to Pines Scenic Byway

This scenic driving tour climbs from the desert through the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, before descending again to the desert.

  • Photography
  • Picnicking
  • Wildlife viewing

48 mi north · Bureau of Land Management

Juniper Flats

Juniper Flats covers 101,272 acres of mixed public and private lands. Located between the Mojave Desert and the forests of the San Bernardino Mountains, Juniper Flats hosts a unique mixture of plants from both environments.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Nature education
  • Off-highway vehicles
  • Photography

53 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

Bighorn Mountain Wilderness

The north-central portion of this Wilderness area holds the rugged Bighorn Mountains and the eastern foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains.

  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Nature education
  • Photography
  • Ranger programs
  • Wildlife viewing

54 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Santa Fe Dam

Facilities at Santa Fe are operated by Los Angeles County Parks. Swimming, fishing, non-power boating, hiking and picnicking are available. Of interest are the five distinct biological communities within the area.

  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

55 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Whittier Narrows Dam

This project is managed by Los Angeles County Parks and the City of Pico Rivera. Whittier Narrows has no permanent pool.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

56 mi east · Bureau of Land Management

Santa Rosa Wilderness

The terrain within the Santa Rosa Mountains Wilderness is rugged with elevations rising dramatically from just above sea level to 7,000 feet.

  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Photography
  • Wilderness
  • Wildlife viewing

58 mi northwest · USDA Forest Service

Angeles National Forest

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
  • Hiking
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback riding
  • Off-highway vehicles
  • Picnicking

62 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

Johnson Valley OHV Area

Click here for the latest information concerning upcoming military training and closures of the Shared Use Area. Overview Johnson Valley is a varied landscape for the off-highway vehicle driver.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Photography
  • Recreational Vehicles
  • Wildlife viewing

Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Menifee. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.

Get outside around Menifee

I actually loved the hike😅 it was three peaks loop in Menifee, CA video thumbnail

THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT

I actually loved the hike😅 it was three peaks loop in Menifee, CA

A local activity Short shared by We Are Dan and Sam.

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Around Menifee

Cherry hills golf 1 pond 18th, Menifee
Cherry hills golf 1 pond 18th 2Seauton · CC BY-SA 4.0
Menifee fertility rocks
Menifee fertility rocks 1Seauton · CC BY-SA 4.0
Menifee eagle rock
Menifee eagle rock 1Seauton · CC BY-SA 4.0

More outdoors near Menifee

Questions

Where is the closest place for wildlife & birding near Menifee?

Falcon Group (USDA Forest Service), about 16 miles west of Menifee as the crow flies. Next are Boulder Basin (26 mi) and San Bernardino National Forest (28 mi).

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

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