Cowles Mountain Trailhead (Mission Trails)
It's free, but the lot is small and there are two traps. The main Cowles Mountain trailhead lot at Golfcrest Drive & Navajo Road (7001 Golfcrest Dr) is free, open sunrise to sunset, and fills by about 8:30am on weekends. Free street parking is plentiful nearby — but on the sloped residential streets you must turn your wheels toward the curb or you'll get a citation, and the trailhead lot has a known car-break-in problem, so take valuables with you. No Adventure Pass or any pass is required — this is Mission Trails Regional Park.
The facts
- Trail served
- Cowles Mountain Trail to the summit (~3 mi RT, moderate) — the highest point in the City of San Diego
- Cost / pass
- Free — no parking fee, no entry fee, no permit
- Lot size
- Small dirt/paved lot at Golfcrest & Navajo; free street parking overflows into the neighborhood
- When it fills
- Weekends and holidays: by about 8:30am
- Overflow option
- Free street parking on Golfcrest Drive and nearby residential blocks — mind the posted rules and curb your wheels
- Tow / citation risk
- Not towing so much as citations: turn wheels toward the curb on the hills, and don't block driveways or hydrants on the residential streets
- Restrooms
- Portable/restroom facilities at the main trailhead; none on the trail
- Road to the lot
- Paved city streets to the Golfcrest & Navajo trailhead in the San Carlos neighborhood
- Busy season
- Year-round, but go early — it's an exposed, shadeless climb that bakes on summer afternoons
Getting there
7001 Golfcrest Dr, San Diego, CA 92119
Get directions →The most-hiked peak in San Diego — and its tiny lot
Cowles Mountain is San Diego's highest city point and Mission Trails Regional Park's most popular hike, so parking is tight. The free lot at Golfcrest Drive and Navajo Road opens at sunrise and is often full by 8:30am on weekends. The summit is a short but steep, unshaded three-mile round trip; an early start means cooler air as well as a parking space.
No pass or fee is required. Mission Trails is a regional park, so an Adventure Pass, America the Beautiful pass, and State Parks pass do not apply.
Street parking without the ticket (or the break-in)
When the lot fills, look for free street parking on Golfcrest Drive and nearby San Carlos blocks. On the hills, California law requires you to turn the front wheels toward the curb when facing downhill and away from it when facing uphill. The area is patrolled. Do not block driveways or hydrants, and follow posted permit and time limits.
Cowles has a persistent car-break-in problem. Leave no bags, electronics, or other visible items in the car.
Frequently asked questions
Is parking free at Cowles Mountain?
Yes — the trailhead lot at Golfcrest and Navajo is free, as is nearby street parking, and there's no entry fee or permit. It's part of Mission Trails Regional Park. The catch is that the lot is small and fills by about 8:30am on weekends.
Where do you park for Cowles Mountain?
The main lot is at 7001 Golfcrest Dr (Golfcrest & Navajo) in San Diego. When it's full, park free on the surrounding residential streets — but curb your wheels on the hills to avoid a ticket, and don't leave valuables in the car.
What time does the Cowles Mountain lot fill up?
By about 8:30am on weekends and holidays. Arriving before then also beats the heat on this shadeless climb. Street parking is the reliable overflow.
Do you need an Adventure Pass for Cowles Mountain?
No. Cowles Mountain is in Mission Trails Regional Park, not national forest, so no Adventure Pass, America the Beautiful pass, or State Parks pass is required. Parking is free.
Facts on this page last verified August 1, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.