Trail Updates from SLO Ranger Service – March 2026

Visit the new Trail Projects webpage to stay informed about Ranger Service projects.

The City of San Luis Obispo Ranger Service has been hard at work building new trails, improving existing ones, and teaming up with volunteers to keep expanding trail connectivity and accessibility to support biking, hiking, and outdoor enjoyment for all community members. 

New Trail Projects Webpage Now Live 

Ranger Service is excited to share a new way to stay connected with work that is happening across San Luis Obispo’s open spaces. Ranger Service has launched a Trail Projects webpage to serve as a hub where community members can learn about all current and upcoming trail design, maintenance, and construction projects.

Community members can see the status on current projects, updates from the field, and a map to see where work is taking place in the open space system. Whether you bike, hike, volunteer, or simply interested in how Ranger Services is keeping our trails safe, sustainable, and enjoyable for everyone, be sure to visit the new Trail Projects webpage. 

 Righetti Open Space: Bunny Hops Trail 

Bunny Hops trail was completed in November 2025.  Rangers packed this beginner-friendly trail with one purpose-built feature after another; Bunny Hops includes jumps, berms, drops, rock gardens, rollers & rhythm sections, skinnies, and a wooden roller coaster feature.  Every feature is designed to help beginner riders progress their skills, and most importantly have fun!

All features include go-arounds so riders can choose which features they are comfortable with.  Completion of Bunny Hops marks the full build out of Righetti Hill Open Space’s trail system: Quarry trail provides hikers a serene climb and panoramic views en route to the summit; Roadrunner Roundabout provides a multi-use, loop option, and, together with Bunny Hops, gives new riders the next step in progression from the Beginner Mountain Bike Loop at Laguna Lake Bike Park.  

 Reservoir Canyon Open Space: Backburn Trail

Rangers and volunteers are still building a new, hiking-only trail at Bowden Ranch in Reservoir Canyon Open Space. Backburn trail will access the summit as a mellow alternate to the existing, steep Firefighter Trail. Over two miles of trail are complete and open to the public; hikers can use the existing Firefighter Trail to make several loop options from the Lizzie St Trailhead, or continue up Backburn trail to where it currently dead ends.

Rangers host weekly volunteer days on Wednesday mornings and occasionally on Saturdays. Sign up online via the City’s Volunteer portal at volunteer.slocity.org.

 Laguna Lake Bike Park: Expert Line 

At the Laguna Lake Bike Park, Rangers and Volunteers have completed the dirt jumps Expert Line. Riders can develop their skills on the progressive line and challenge themselves on the expert line. Phase 2 of the bike park includes 2 full jump lines, and a mulch jump for a total of 11 different jumps providing riders plenty of options and variety to enjoy.

Additionally, construction is under way on a fresh beginner jump line. Built to be pure fun for kids, this line is the ultimate place for young riders to build their confidence and master the basics of airtime.  

The Laguna Lake Bike Park also includes a beginner mountain bike loop and kids’ pump track for younger and novice riders. More info can be found on the Laguna Lake Bike Park project page.

 Maintenance Trail Work 

Heavy November rains triggered a landslide that damaged a section of Summit Trail on Bishop Peak, and Rangers quickly stabilized the slope and repaired the trail.

In late 2025, rangers conducted maintenance operations to ready trails for winter, including road work on Filipponi Connector trail above Johnson Ranch, Cerro San Luis, Stenner Springs and more. Our modern trail design and construction techniques require little maintenance, allowing rangers to focus on new trail projects for most of the year. 

Maintenance and improvements are currently underway on Stenner Flow trail in Stenner Springs Open Space. Originally hand built in 2014 the trail is undergoing a major overhaul using modern techniques and rangers’ specialized trail equipment. Though it will take some time for loose soil to set in, expect new features, improved drainage and sustainability, and better flow!  

 Strategic Trail Plan

In conjunction with the Office of Sustainability and Natural Resources, ranger trail staff are developing a Strategic Trails Plan to support the major city goal of expanding trail connectivity and accessibility to support biking, hiking, and outdoor enjoyment for all community members. 

•  Rainy Days = Planning Time! 
  While winter rains give our trail crews a break from muddy fieldwork, they also open up time to focus on long-term planning. That means more thoughtful, sustainable trail design is in the works! 

•  Trail Talk with Ranger Niels! 
  Ranger Niels, trail project lead, is gearing up to give a special presentation on how trails are designed and built. Stay tuned for more details! 

Coming Soon

Upcoming projects include maintenance and improvements at the Eucs in Stenner Springs Natural Reserve, and design and layout of extension and improvements to HiBar and Panorama trails at Miossi Open Space in preparation for construction to begin this year.