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Trail Popularity ?
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Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
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      Sweetwater Preserve is a scenic area with a split personality. The terrain varies from smooth hiking paths along the Sweetwater River to steep singletrack on Mother Miguel Mountain. Whatever your preference for trails, you'll likely find it here.

      If you're coming from out of town, there is centralized camping with trails leaving right from the campground.

      There is also a thoroughly enjoyable bike park that shouldn't be missed.

      Much of the area is part of the San Diego National Wildlife Reserve so please tread lightly and respectfully.
      Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
      Land Status: Regional Recreation Area
      Land Manager: various
      Parking google parking directions
      Activities Click to view
      Region Details
      • 6
      • 3
      • 17
      • 19
      • 1

      Region Status
      Caution as of Jun 8, 2025
      Local Trail Association

      Stats

      Avg Trail Rating
      Trails (view details)
      46
      Trails Mountain Bike
      50
      Trails E-Bike
      11
      Trails Horse
      12
      Trails Hike
      47
      Trails Trail Running
      46
      Total Distance
      56 miles
      Total Descent
      6,783 ft
      Total Vertical
      1,509 ft
      Highest Trailhead
      1,522 ft
      Reports
      357
      Photos
      223
      Ridden Counter
      5,749

      Photos of Sweetwater Reservoir Mountain Bike

      10 |
      Feb 24, 2025 @ 5:39am
      Feb 24, 2025
      2 |
      Feb 24, 2025 @ 5:38am
      Feb 24, 2025
      3 |
      Feb 24, 2025 @ 5:38am
      Feb 24, 2025
      2 |
      Feb 24, 2025 @ 5:38am
      Feb 24, 2025
      2 |
      Feb 24, 2025 @ 5:38am
      Feb 24, 2025
      3 |
      Nov 10, 2024 @ 3:38pm
      Nov 10, 2024
      2 |
      Nov 10, 2024 @ 3:38pm
      Nov 10, 2024
      trail: Dawg Leash
      99 |
      Feb 1, 2017 @ 11:50pm
      Feb 1, 2017

      Videos of Sweetwater Reservoir Mountain Bike

      What a view
      0:09 | 103 | Aug 8, 2020
      Rock house dh clip
      0:21 | 419 | May 18, 2019
      Crashed
      0:06 | 666 | May 18, 2019
      fun run in sd
      3:57 | 567 | Oct 18, 2014
      youtuber Chasing the sunset on this ride! || Sweetwater...

      10:40 | 60 | May 7, 2024
      Sweetwater Bike Park Flow Trail | San Diego...

      0:52 | 294 | Jan 25, 2022
      Chula Vista Trails w/Mountain Bike Monk |...
      12:00 | 535 | Dec 18, 2021 , Chula Vista
      Chula Vista Trails w/Mountain Bike Monk |...
      12:00 | 236 | Dec 18, 2021 , Chula Vista

      Recent Trail Reports

      Activity Feed

      usernameactiontypetitledate
      ChadColtonaddreportactivity #73381889 and 1 more
      Jun 8, 2025 @ 2:28pm
      Jun 8, 2025
      alfredoK8jEx4votetrailactivity #73021782
      Jun 3, 2025 @ 2:04pm
      Jun 3, 2025
      Tcamis01wishlistregionactivity #72752900
      May 31, 2025 @ 12:57am
      May 31, 2025
      Skbrumerwishlistrouteactivity #72005573
      May 19, 2025 @ 3:35pm
      May 19, 2025
      MattRZ7S8Xwishlisttrailactivity #70174695
      Apr 22, 2025 @ 4:05pm
      Apr 22, 2025

      Recent Comments

      usernametypetitlecommentdate
      mjones1625trailRock House TrailRode down this. I don’t recommend. Too many...
      Apr 8, 2025 @ 2:54pm
      Apr 8, 2025
      mjones1625trailRattlesnake Ridge Single TrackVery rutted. I don’t recommend. Needs a lot...
      Mar 30, 2025 @ 10:54am
      Mar 30, 2025
      christinebestreportSweetwater Park LoopLooks like you were biking through a swamp.
      Mar 13, 2025 @ 7:58am
      Mar 13, 2025
      MattGs2ZQ1trailSweetwater ReservoirThe trail has some Gnarly ruts and a few areas...
      Jan 29, 2025 @ 7:22pm
      Jan 29, 2025
      MattGs2ZQ1trailSweetwater ReservoirThe trail has some early
      Jan 29, 2025 @ 7:19pm
      Jan 29, 2025

      Nearby Areas

      namedistance
      Chula Vista Canyon Trails 16 15 42.4 km
      City Heights 8 1 15.4 km
      Otay Valley Regional Park 147.1 km
      Otay Reservoir 10 67.9 km
      Balboa Park 17 30 78.5 km

      Local Badges

      Bike & Skill Parks

      nametypecityrating
      Sweetwater Bike Parkskill parkChula Vista

      Activity Type Stats

      activitytypetrailsdistancedescentdescent distancetotal verticalratingglobal rankstate rankphotosreportsroutesridelogs
      Mountain Bike4756 miles6,781 ft20 miles1,509 ft
      #2,003#1,08123137085,551
      E-Bike1114 miles325 ft3 miles1,043 ft
      2371499
      Horse1217 miles1,447 ft5 miles1,171 ft
      8621
      Hike4754 miles6,572 ft20 miles1,509 ft
      #1,527#95113702323
      Trail Running4654 miles6,280 ft19 miles1,506 ft
      #1,593#9793672329
      • By trailthugTF Pro & contributors
      • Admins: SDMBA, SDMBA-CV
      • #20151 - 8,640 views

      Downloading of trail gps tracks in kml & gpx formats is enabled for Sweetwater Reservoir.
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