Glen Canyon Trails

Address

Bosworth Street and O’Shaughnessy Blvd San Francisco, CA 94131

Park Hours: 5 a.m. to Midnight

Beyond Glen Canyon Park’s recreation center, ball field, and tennis courts lies a large urban canyon that has incredible spring wildflower displays, dramatic rock (chert) formations, and Islais Creek, one of the few remaining free-flowing creeks in San Francisco. This 60 acres of wilderness, formerly referred to as the San Miguel Hills, not only provides critical habitat for a wide array of wildlife but serves as a relaxing sanctuary from the city’s urban bustle. An extensive network of hiking trails leads through a variety of habitats.

Glen Canyon Trails

An extensive 3.7 mile trail network leads through a variety of habitats, from the lush creekside vegetation to the rocky grass- and scrublands of the canyon’s steep eastern slope, where a profusion of wildflowers blooms each spring.  The 1.2 mile Creek to Peaks  trail starts along Islais Creek and rises up towards Twin Peaks, where sweeping views of San Francisco and the Bay can be enjoyed.

Islais Creek supports a diverse streamside ecosystem of willow trees, horsetails, seep monkey flower, and red columbine. These plants provide habitat for adult and larval insects, which in turn feed amphibians, reptiles, and birds, some of which travel from as far away as South America.

Related Links

Glen Canyon Park Main Page

Glen Park Recreation Center

Creeks to Peaks Trail Page

(Photos by Melissa Loesgren)