With over 8,000 acres of pristine San Diego habitat rich with local flora and fauna, and cultural sites unique to our park, it’s no wonder Mission Trails Regional Park remains a top destination for outdoor education.
Self-guided field trips are available for educators to reserve on Mondays only.
Getting around
The area surrounding the Visitor and Interpretive Center includes a native plant garden with interpretive signs, exhibits of local wildlife species, and hikes along the Visitor Center Loop, Grinding Rocks and Oak Grove Loop trails. Inside the Visitor Center, the first floor of the exhibit hall presents cultural, geological, and historical information, while the second floor features information on the various plants, wildlife, and habitats found throughout the park and San Diego County. In the theater there are four different informative video presentations shown upon request. Please note, for a successful self-guided trip, a pre-trip visit to the park and Visitor Center is highly encouraged and recommended. Park trail maps are available here.
Know before you schedule
- Educators are expected to read through the educator’s packet before scheduling a field trip. After making your reservation, educators will receive a confirmation email, followed by a personalized email either requesting additional information or confirming your field trip.
- Self-guided field trips are available to reserve on Mondays only, Ranger-led field trips are available Tuesdays and Thursdays and Foundation-led field trips can be scheduled on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Schedule Self-Guided Field Trip
Please contact Park Ranger and Education Coordinator Heidi Gutknecht at rangered@mtrp.org for more information.