Welcome to the 2026 Take A Hike Challenge! We have selected seven hiking routes in our parks to introduce you to the beauty and biodiversity of your San Mateo County Parks! A special reward is available for those who complete the #2026TakeAHikeChallenge.
Follow these steps to complete the challenge:
- Plan ahead for your hike.
➤ Try your best to complete the route and explore other parts of the park if you have the time!
➤ You can complete the challenge in any order you prefer. We will be highlighting a different park each month, but you do not need to complete them in the same order.
➤ Coyote Point Recreation Area, Sam McDonald Park, and San Bruno Mountain have a $6 vehicle entrance fee. Find out if you qualify for a vehicle entry fee waiver.
➤ Some parks allow dogs and others do not. Check out the individual pages for each park for more information! Learn more about dog access in County Parks. - Take a selfie or group photo at the designated spot. See the photos below for where to take your picture.
- Help promote the challenge and share your photo on social media with the hashtag #TakeAHikeChallenge and the hashtag at the particular park, for example #SanBrunoMountain. Note: You don’t have to share on social media to qualify for the prize.
- To report your completed challenge and to submit for a prize, please fill out our Take a Hike Challenge completion form and email your challenge photos to sanmateocountyparks@gmail.com.
The deadline to complete the 2026 Take A Hike Challenge and claim your prizes is October 31st 2026.
Prize Levels
Four Challenges - Spiral Notebook + Take A Hike beanie
All Seven Challenges - Above prizes + fanny pack
Please note that supply for prizes is limited to the first 150 participants.
Tails on Trails Participants!
Those participating with your four-legged family members, be sure to bring your pup to the parks that permit dogs (Coyote Point Recreation Area and Devil’s Slide Trail) and include them in your photos for a special pup prize!
Hike Materials
- Route 1: Wunderlich Park
- Route 2: Coyote Point Recreation Area
- Route 3: Sam McDonald Park
- Route 4: Crystal Springs Regional Trail
- Route 5: San Bruno Mountain Park
- Route 6: Edgewood Park
- Route 7: Devil's Slide Trail
Come Hike with Us!
This year we’re offering in-person Take A Hike events in addition to the Take A Hike Challenge. Each month from April to October, San Mateo County Parks staff will be leading one of the featured hikes. Register for the hikes with the links below. Please note that event registration will open the 1st of the month prior to the hike.
Questions
For questions or concerns, please email sanmateocountyparks@gmail.com.