San Francisco has no shortage of parks and hiking trails. From Land’s End to the Presidio, we love to hike. But if you are looking for a more “back country” feel that doesn’t have a tourist bus in sight, Glen Canyon Park is a perfect spot.

Nestled in the Glen Park neighborhood, this 70 acre nature reserve will make you feel like you’re in the Sierra Mountains, but is only moments away from BART and Muni. Glen Park Canyon has numerous trails with varying levels of difficulty, from low impact strolls through the nature reserve to high intensity bouldering. Depending on the time of year, you will be able to spot hawks and native California flowers, like poppies!

The formal entrance of the park is the best way to access the canyon. You can access the canyon from the surrounding neighborhoods but be warned: you might find yourself tromping through someone’s backyard. Don’t be surprised if you have to navigate through a little league game or birthday party on your way to the trails. The park offers a playground for children, a recreational center, and best of all: public restrooms. This truly is a neighborhood gathering place.

There is no food for sale in the park, so I bring snacks if I’m planning to be there for a couple hours. If I’m looking to get a bite or have a full meal after my hike, I pop over to Diamond Street.