Upper Newport Bay is one of the premier recreational and environmental assets in our region. The Back Bay Loop Trail provides an exciting opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to discover a magnificent regional trail experience at the Bay. The 10.5 mile Trail is well-signed as it winds around Upper Newport Bay, with scenic stops at places like Upper Castaways Park, the County of Orange’s Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, the new Back Bay Science Center at Shellmaker Island, and Big Canyon. The Back Bay Loop Trail also links with the 22-mile Mountains to Sea trail - this National Recreational Trail runs from Upper Newport Bay through Irvine past Peters Canyon Reservoir and into the rugged mountains of Weir Canyon north of Irvine Regional Park.
The Back Bay Loop Trail has multiple entry points, with opportunities for scenic stops and visits to local nature and educational facilities, including:
- Back Bay Science Center at Shellmaker Island
- Newport Aquatic Center
- Upper Castaways Park
- Environmental Nature Center
- Mariners Park and Library
- Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
- Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
- Back Bay View Park
- Big Canyon
