Oso Flaco Lake Trail Hike

Healthy People Healthy Trails: Oso Flaco Lake Trail Hike

Join us for a fun and refreshing in-person hike along the beautiful Oso Flaco Lake Trail! It’s a great way to get moving, enjoy nature, and meet new friends who love the outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking to explore, this event is for you.

Meet us at the Oso Flaco Lake Trailhead between 12:45 PM and 1:00 PM for check-in at our registration table and to sign our liability form. If you would like to park in the parking lot near the trailhead, parking is $5.00; otherwise, free parking is available outside of the lot.

The trail begins from the Oso Flaco Day Use Area and travels along an asphalt road roughly 0.25 miles to a bridge. The bridge, which crosses over a portion of Oso Flaco Lake, has slots in the rails designed to allow fishing.

Beyond the bridge, the trail continues for 0.5 mile along a coastal dune boardwalk and terminates at an ocean overlook. The surface is asphalt and wood. Sections of the boardwalk navigate over or through moving sand dunes that occasionally deposit sand on the boardwalk surface.

The trail is generally flat, with slopes of less than 5% and intermittent sections between 5% and 10%. Along the bridge and boardwalk, benches and educational panels invite visitors to rest and learn about the area’s native people, animals, and plants.

Accessible picnicking, parking, and vault restrooms are available at the trailhead parking lot. An additional accessible vault restroom is available roughly 0.8 miles from the trailhead parking lot. It can be accessed from the boardwalk or from a special disabled user ATV landing area and connecting walkway.

Bring your water, snacks, comfy shoes, and a smile—let’s make healthy living a group adventure!

For more information, resources, and tips, visit HealthyPeopleHealthyTrails.org. Tag us in your photos and follow us: @HealthyPeopleHealthyTrails

Organizer: Santa Barbara County Nutrition Services