Hiking The Bonelli Park Loop Trail

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park is a recreational park in Southern California that contains the 250 acre Puddingstone Reservoir. This park provides countless recreational activities for those that love the outdoors. On any given day you can see boaters, kayakers, mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, and beach goers. The Bonelli Park Trail loops around the perimeter of the reservoir and is the feature of this guide.

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Directions And GPS Tracks:

• To hike the Bonelli Park Loop Trail, drive to 1925 McKinley Ave # H, La Verne, CA 91750 at Bracket Field Airport and park in the lot outside of Norm’s Hangar Coffee Shop. Make sure to use these directions because if you just type Borelli Park into Google Maps, you’ll end up at the Via Verde entrance on the Southwest side of the park. You can still reach the trail from here, but you’ll have to pay $11 for parking.
• Download GPX
• See track on Strava
• View Bonelli Park Trail map

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Key Points:

• Distance: 7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 590 ft
• Minimum Elevation: 864 ft
• Maximum Elevation: 1100 ft
• Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: (1/5)
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash
• Permit Required: No
• Park Hours: Sunrise to 7PM October to March, Sunrise to 9PM April to September
• Parking: Free from Brackett Airport, $11 from Bonelli Park
• Trail Condition: Single track, fire road, asphalt
• Cell Phone Reception: Very good

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Make sure to hike with the right gear. See my current hiking gear list. 

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Hike Map And Elevation Profile:

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Hike Description:

0.0 Miles- Starting on McKinley Dr in front of Bracket Field, walk west toward Bonelli Park. After 0.4 miles of walking on the road you’ll see the trailhead. Pass through and begin the Bonelli Park Trail. You’ll see an RV park to the left of the trail. Once you have completed your loop hike, you will finish by passing through the RV park to return to McKinley Rd.

The Bonelli Park Trail starts out along a fence and then passes through a shaded area that runs along a creek. Keep an eye out for mountain bikers, as they can come flying around the blind turns here.

0.9 Miles- The trail hits an eroded wash, turn right and walk until the trail dead ends at a developed lunch and picnic area. Go right again when you see the picnic area and the concrete walkway will spit you out near Puddingstone Dr. Don’t walk all the way out to the street though. A trail runs parallel to Puddingstone Dr. on the park side of the road.

1.2 Miles- Just before reaching Puddingstone Dr., you’ll see a dirt trail that runs parallel to the road on the park side of the street. Go left and follow the trail west.

1.8 Miles- The trail passes over a few access roads before bringing hikers in for a view close to the shores of the Puddingstone Reservoir at Ski Beach. At this point the trial runs very close to the waters and parallels a shoreline walkway. There is a stairway that leads down to the beach if you want to stop and take in the views.

After leaving Ski Beach the trail leaves the shores to wrap up and around the powerboat launching area. This section of trail is fairly close to the road, but not for long.

2.4 Miles- The trial heads away from the reservoir, passes through a few gates, and crosses Lakeside Dr. Look for the trail to pick up right on the other side of Lakesde Dr.

After crossing Lakeside Dr, you catch a glimpse of the waterslides at the nearby Raging Waters theme park. This is also where the trail can get a little confusing from a lack of markers. You’ll be able to see the reservoir walls up ahead though. As long as you’re heading in that direction, you’re on the right path.

2.9 Miles- There is a set of stairs at the base of the reservoir wall that leads up to Lakeside Dr. Walk past the stairs and you’ll see the trail pick back up. In the photo above, the trail picks up in the shaded area at the base of the reservoir wall.

Once you reach Lakeside Dr. you can walk south for 0.5 miles on the asphalt road with views of the reservoir to your left.

3.5 Miles- You’ll reach Sailboat Cove and see a ticket booth in the middle of the road. You can follow this road or pick up the trail on the left hand side.

3.7 Miles- Stay vigilant here. If you’re not paying attention you’ll walk straight into the cove! To your right the trail picks up on the right hand side of the road. This junction is only marked with a cone. This section is called Lake View Trail.

4.3 Miles- You’ll pass through the parking area for the South Shore. This is a popular area for beachgoers in the warmer months. You’ll also see a playground up ahead and an area called Picnic Valley. Follow the trail along the water until you see a bridge. Cross over the bridge.

4.5 Miles- Once you’ve crossed over the bridge, you’ll be on a paved road that leads all the way back to the RV Park and the trailhead from where you started. To make things a little more interesting, take the Tree Line Trail that begins just on the other side of the bridge.

The reason I suggest the Tree Line Trail is that it provides the best views of the Puddingstone Reservoir in the park. It’s easy to get caught up staring at the waters from up on the tree line.

5.4 Miles- The Tree Line Trail ends and you can continue on the asphalt road that runs along the water.

6.2 Miles- The RV park comes into view. Pass through here and walk back to your vehicle via McKinley Rd.