Falcon Group
21 mi northwest · 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.
Outdoors
Wildlife viewing and birding near Temecula
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Temecula for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
16places to see wildlife
21 mito the closest
1within 30 miles
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
Closest picks
Boulder Basin
32 mi northeast · 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.
Prado Dam
39 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
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.
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Within 30 miles (1)
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
30 to 75 miles (15)
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
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
San Bernardino National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
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
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
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
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
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
Fullerton Dam
Managed by Orange County, CA, there are facilities fishing, picnics, nature exhibits, handball and field sports. No permanent pool.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
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
Cabrillo National Monument
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States.
- Hiking
- History
- Wildlife viewing
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge protects a rich diversity of endangered, threatened, migratory, and native species and their habitats within a highly urbanized coastal environment.
- Birding
- Fishing
- Motor Boat
- Wildlife viewing
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
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
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve preserves one of the largest remaining examples of coastal wetland habitats in the southern California sub-region.
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Temecula. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Around Temecula
More outdoors near Temecula
Questions
Where is the closest place for wildlife & birding near Temecula?
Falcon Group (USDA Forest Service), about 21 miles northwest of Temecula as the crow flies. Next are Boulder Basin (32 mi) and Prado Dam (39 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.