Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail is a 1.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Cima, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, rock climbing, and bird watching and is best used from September until May. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The main feature of this trail is the rings which are physically demanding.
Dirt Parking lot at Hole in the Wall Information Center
Contact Hole in the Wall Information Center at (760) 252-6104 or (760) 928-2572 if not open call Kelso Depot open 7 days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM at (760) 252-6108
From Interstate 40, Exit Essex Road, exit 100 and make a left and go 10 miles to Black Canyon Road and go another 10 miles to Hole in the Wall Visitor Center and make a left, the Trailhead is in the parking lot. Entrance fee to the Preserve is Free
April 10, 2021Outstanding experience. It was so much fun going into the rock formation looking like it is a dead end only to find the path showing a way through. The rings were well placed for me (5 ft 10 in tall). It was an effort to lift myself and it took some thinking and planning to make sure my dominant leg was at the right place at the right time. Recommend going up the rings trail. I will avoid going down the trail.
April 8, 2021Go the prescribed route. it is Much Much harder going the reverse
April 8, 2021This loop was quick but fun, I recommend taking it clockwise so you begin at the left entrance. This allows you to go up the rings instead of down. Going up is much more fun and a bit less difficult. The loops can be a bit difficult for kids and I definitely don't think you can get a dog up or down, so thats something to consider before you begin. Our car had a difficult time getting to the trailhead from Old Government Road/Black Canyon Road. If your car is not good at off-roading, I absolutely recommend entering from the South.
April 1, 2021Hot in the sun. Banshee canyon/rings part quite short but fun. Too steep for dogs. Nice short desert hike
March 31, 2021not a great loop but challenging
March 31, 2021Amazing hike!! one of my favorites .. other then the cattle poop everywhere and the hike being too short for my taste. The beautiful white rocks and rings are awesome, the trials are marked, not a lot of traffic which is always nice.
March 25, 2021Awesome trail with the slot canyon and series of rings to help you "climb out!
March 21, 2021Short hike, but super memorable! Would love to do it again
March 20, 2021March 20, 2021Amazing little trail ! Very short but you see a lot of cool stuff in there. The climbing hikes are always fun to me , very easy so I’d say just about anyone could do it.
March 17, 2021Loved everything about this trail. The geology is fantastic. Areas look like life illustrations from Dr Seuss. The rings were so much fun!!!
March 15, 2021So beautiful, pictures don’t do it justice, you need to see it for yourself!
March 12, 2021Very interesting rocks and a lot of potential for climbing on this trail! Definitely go clockwise like everyone says - so you're going up the rings instead of down them. Didn't see anyone else while there on a Friday afternoon.
March 9, 2021Awesome and easy hike! Great for kids to explore, just keep an eye on them and make sure they don't fall. Go clockwise, because it's going to be a lot easier to go up the canyon than down it. Some people found the rings to be difficult to climb but we got our 35 lb dog up just fine. I wouldn't recommend trying to get a larger dog up though.
February 28, 2021February 27, 2021Definitely go clockwise on the trail. Also, bathroom facilities were not open at the information center so plan accordingly. Otherwise, really cool holes in the wall.
February 27, 2021Narrow rings not good with bad knee!
February 21, 2021Nice easy trail that is not overly crowded. Highly recommend going clockwise.
February 14, 2021really dope trail! some rock carvings and beautiful landscapes. rings aren't difficult at all. it was very windy when i went.
January 17, 2021Long drive over bumpy dirt road, but lots of uniqueness to this place... rings, climbing, wild horses, cacti. Definitely do the trail starting to the left of the parking lots when facing the rocks.
January 3, 2021The "rings" portion of this was super cool. Climbing up through a canyon. The rest was a little boring, but its only a mile so just do it you drove all the way out.
January 1, 2021December 31, 2020December 26, 2020November 28, 2020Awesome little trail! We were told by the ranger that it’s great with kids. And it is if they are bigger but not with toddlers. There is a part that is rock climbing and is not that easy. Our 8 year old did fine. But we made it and we had a lot of fun!
November 28, 2020Amazing sunset color. We went counterclockwise and took the rings down. It was fun playing in the holes.
November 16, 2020Today is a great day. Earlish start at the trailhead, 10 AM Promises to be great hiking weather, upper 60 to mid 70’s. Wonders around each bend. Ring trail, followed by Barber Loop.
November 1, 2020Stay on the trail & do not climb up anything that is not part of the trail ie the rings. People keep getting stuck in the overlook area. No down climbing, either. Found owl pellets. Petroglyphs are amazing.
November 1, 2020Challenging if you aren’t fit. But one of my favorites! Love exploring around
