Pumpkin rock is newly painted each year in October. Therefore, we thought we'd share our old article once again. We visited pumpkin rock on Halloween Day in 2018 and had an amazing time. Here is our experience.....
Hiking to Pumpkin Rock:
Distance: 2 choices - 2.7 miles, or 1 mile
Kid Friendly: Yes! But not stroller friendly
Terrain: Dirt and steep at times
After the excruciating heat we endured last week, waking up to a cool, crisp, and slightly misty Halloween morning was a real treat. We were inspired by the perfectly fall-like weather, and decided to take a trek to Pumpkin Rock.
Pumpkin Rock is located in the city of Norco, near Corona, CA. Although the city is right off the I-15 freeway, visiting Norco is like stepping back in time. Norco was named after the North Corona Land Company, and was developed in a Western-Theme. In fact, city ordinances require that any development or building maintains this theme. The goal of Norco is to stay as a rural, equestrian, and animal-keeping town. Norco is quaint and interesting, and is definitely worth exploring while you are there.
But onto the rock! This giant rock sits atop a hill in the middle of the city. It is surrounded by equestrian land and hiking trails, making it a fun and unusual hiking spot. The trail is quite popular, and we saw quite a few people while we were there. I would imagine it can get quite busy during the weekend. The rock is maintained by volunteers, who keep up the paint, and paint over graffiti when it gets too covered. During the Halloween time, the rock is maintained very well.
You will have two options for getting to the rock. The first is through the main trail, which is a 2.7 mile loop, with an established trail head, bathrooms, and a parking lot. If you choose this option, you will drive to the end of Sixth Street [Enter Norco Animal Control Shelter into your map, and it will lead you down the correct street - just keep going past the shelter!]
Your other option is to park in the neighborhood on Vandermolen Dr [3372-, 3402 Vandermolen Dr, Norco, CA 92860]. You will enter the trail through the equestrian path, and head straight up hill. While this option is considerably shorter, it is fairly steep, so little ones might struggle a bit. I attempted the hill with my 4 year old son, however, and he did just fine!
Either way you go, the hike is an open dirt path, with no shade. We had lovely weather for such a hike, but I would not recommend on a hot day.
As you hike along, you will begin seeing the bright orange rock peeking over the hill at you. It is so fun, and was definitely a motivation for my son. The last bit of the hike it quite steep. It’s nothing a 4-year-old can’t do, but it certainly is not stroller friendly. Once you reach the top, you will be greeted by an impressively large, bright orange, smiling Jack Skellington pumpkin rock. So festive!
It is now November 2nd, Halloween it over, and yet my son continues to ask to go back to the pumpkin rock. We will definitely be back soon, on another cool, crisp, and inspiring day!
Want some more fall fun ideas? Click the links below:
🦉 Local Pumpkin Patches and Festivals
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