20+ Parks with Workout Equipment in Orange County for Outdoor Fitness
March 23, 2021
Check out these local parks with workout equipment in Orange County featuring outdoor fitness machines for those who want to exercise outdoors.
Also known as open air gyms or outdoor gyms, this post is meant for individuals looking for outdoor exercise equipment in public parks near you. Most of these parks are free, but some of the regional parks require a $3-$5 entrance/parking fee.
These are the parks in Orange County with sections set up specifically for public outdoor fitness with outdoor fitness stations designed for individual use.
These parks with workout equipment in Orange County parks have exercise areas with outdoor fitness equipment -- usually for use by persons 14 and older. Do your strength training outside before or after your walk/run!
El Toro Park in Lake Forest
The fitness section of El Toro Park in Lake Forest is set apart from the playground by tennis courts.
You can’t even see the playground from here!
However, there’s a wide array of equipment that gets shade in the morning and evening hours (this photo was taken at 2pm in the afternoon).
Rimgate Park in Lake Forest
Rimgate Park in Lake Forest has fitness stations distanced out along the sidewalk that loops through the park filled with shade trees.
There is also basketball and tennis court at this park.
Portola Park in Lake Forest
Portola Park in Lake Forest has a fitness station at the entrance to the park and walking/running trails nearby.
Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo
There’s a section of Oso Viejo Park called “Village Green” which is on the opposite side of the park from the awesome playground.
I’ve written about the fitness area and the Oso Creek Trail before.
There are three different stations working different parts of the body.
Irvine Regional Park
Irvine Regional Park has a full bank of exercise equipment on a concrete pad at the far end of the park between parking Lot M and Lot R.
It's completely in the sun in the middle of the day, but nice and shady around sunset.
Cedar Grove Park in Tustin
Cedar Grove Park was redesigned in August 2013 with a fitness area for adults.
Tri-City Regional Park in Placentia
Tri-City Park in Placentia has a concrete pad workout area in the shade of eucalyptus trees with a view of the lake.
Mandeville Park in Laguna Hills
Mandeville Park in Laguna Hills has a short fitness trail loop, which you can make a bigger workout by running some of the hills you’ll go up to get to the park (Mandeville Road — or Aliso Hills Drive).
Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley
Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley is run by OC Parks and requires a $3-$5 parking fee unless you park on nearby streets. The fitness course runs around the park. Ask about it when you get your pass.
Sycamore Creek Park Trail in Dana Point
Sycamore Creek Trail has no playground, it’s just a wide fitness trail and green space that links up to the bike trail along San Juan Creek.
It’s right near Del Obispo Park, though. And you can walk to many parks from here: Creekside Park, Mission Bell Park, and Descanso Park on your way to downtown San Juan Capistrano/Los Rios Historic District on the bike trail.
Park off Del Obispo on Quail Run.
Concourse Park in Portola Hills
Concourse Park in Portola Hills has a sidewalk circuit of workout equipment that you can travel along with park views on the edge of Whiting Canyon.
Mason Regional Park in Irvine
Mason Regional Park’s fitness course is tucked in the north corner of the park near the playground with the red slide.
Head to your right and the back of the park after you go through the entrance.
You will have to pay $3-$5 to access this park.
Canyon View Park in Aliso Viejo
This fitness equipment overlooks a spectacular view of Aliso Wood Canyon.
Ridgecrest Park in Aliso Viejo
Ridgecrest Park in Aliso Viejo has fitness equipment stations set up along the exterior paths of the park – so you can walk from station to station.
Rush Park Near Los Alamitos (Rossmoor)
Rush Park in Rossmoor (near Los Alamitos) has a LifeTrail fitness course around this really nice neighborhood park.
San Clemente Beach Trail
Perfect trail for walking or running with a view. Pull-up bars near the Lifeguard Station by the pier.
Marblehead Park in San Clemente
Marblehead Park in San Clemente is a smallish park, but has a number of fitness stations.
Marina Park in Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula
This is a popular playground, so parking can be a challenge unless you come early.
But if you are out for a morning bike ride or walk on the peninsula then this is a great stop.
Laurel Glen Park in Tustin
This park is rectangular with a sidewalk stretching around it.
The fitness course has about 4 or 5 stations around the perimeter.
Deerfield Community Park in Irvine
Only a few stations here, but spread out across this spacious park — and tons of other recreational uses like tennis courts and sand volleyball courts.
Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim (near Yorba Linda)
Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim has tons of walking trails, but also two fitness courses on the east end of the park off Parking Lot K.
More Parks in Orange County with Outdoor Fitness Equipment (info from readers):
- Garden Grove has 5 parks with outdoor fitness equipment (Garden Grove Park, Magnolia Park, Jardin de los Niños, Clinton, and Eastgate Park).
- Santa Ana also has a number of fitness parks and even has a Fitness Task Force which offers 5 fitness maps of the city (Golden Trail East, Downtown Santa Ana, El Salvador Park, Jerome Park, and Santa Anita Park.) There are a number of recreation facilities in the city. Garfield Park also has a fitness area.
- Grijalva Park in Orange has a workout area outdoors, but under shade cover.
- Pine Tree Park in Tustin
- Tracks at Brea Trail
- Schaffer Park in the City of Orange has an outdoor gym.
More Tools for Outdoor Exercise:
Originally published in July 2013.