Potato Chip Rock is a thin slab of granite that sticks out from the top of Mt. Woodson, high above Poway and Ramona. From the right angle it looks like a giant chip balanced over thin air, and it has become one of the most photographed hikes in San Diego County. The climb is real, though. The trail is steep, there is little shade, and summer heat makes it dangerous. This guide covers the two main trailheads, parking and fees, hours, heat safety and how to get there without leaving a car on the side of a highway.
Quick answer: Potato Chip Rock sits near the top of Mt. Woodson. You can hike to it from Lake Poway (14644 Lake Poway Road, Poway), the longer route with a steady climb on dirt trail, or from the Mt. Woodson Gateway parking area on Highway 67 in Ramona (16286 Highway 67), a shorter but very steep paved service road. Lake Poway charges non-residents $10 on weekends and holidays. The Highway 67 lot opened in March 2026 and charges $5 a day. Start early, carry plenty of water, and skip the hike on very hot days.
Book Your RidePotato Chip Rock at a glance
Mt. Woodson rises between Poway and Ramona in inland North County. Its slopes are covered in chaparral and huge granite boulders. Potato Chip Rock sits just below the summit, near the 2,800-foot line on the City of San Diego trail map. The trail system crosses land managed by the City of San Diego, the City of Poway and the County, so you will see different signs along the way.
- What it is: a thin rock ledge that makes a famous photo, plus wide views over Poway, Ramona and the inland valleys.
- West trailhead: Lake Poway Recreation Area, 14644 Lake Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064.
- East trailhead: Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve parking area, 16286 Highway 67, Ramona, CA.
- Difficulty: strenuous from either side. Both routes climb hard, and the top is exposed to the sun.
- Best time: early morning, on a cool day from late fall to spring.
The two Potato Chip Rock trails
There are two common ways up. Pick the one that suits your fitness, your schedule and how you are getting there.
From Lake Poway (west side)
This is the classic Potato Chip Rock hike. You start at the lake, follow the trail around it, then turn onto the Mt. Woodson Trail and climb through chaparral and boulders to the top. It is the longer route. Most hikers plan a full morning for the round trip, and the steepest part is the long climb in the middle. Lake Poway has the park facilities, so it is the easier place to start with a group.
From Highway 67 (east side, Ramona)
The east route starts near a fire station off Highway 67 and follows a paved service road up the mountain in tight switchbacks. It is much shorter than the Lake Poway route, but it is steep the whole way, and the pavement holds the heat. Hikers who want the photo and less time on the trail usually choose this side.
For years, hikers on this side parked on the shoulders of Highway 67 and walked along or across fast traffic. The County calls that a safety problem, which is why it built the Mt. Woodson Gateway parking area. Do not park or stop on the highway shoulder.
Lake Poway vs. Highway 67
| Detail | Lake Poway trailhead | Highway 67 trailhead |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 14644 Lake Poway Road, Poway | 16286 Highway 67, Ramona |
| Route | Longer, dirt trail, steady steep climb | Shorter, paved service road, steep throughout |
| Parking fee | $10 for non-residents on weekends and holidays | $5 day-use per vehicle |
| Hours | Park open daily 6 a.m. to sunset; gates locked at sunset | Lot open sunrise to sunset; walk-ins allowed outside lot hours |
| Facilities | Lake park facilities and a restaurant | Portable restrooms, about 200 spaces |
| Best for | A full hiking morning with a lake view | A quicker trip for the photo |
Potato Chip Rock parking and fees
Parking is the part of this hike that most often goes wrong. Both lots fill up on nice weekends, and each has its own rules.
Lake Poway parking
The City of Poway charges a $10 fee for non-residents on weekends and holidays. The entry station is staffed from 6 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset. Poway residents with proof of residency, active military with ID and holders of a valid fishing permit do not pay. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to sunset, and the gates are closed and locked at sunset. If you hike late, make sure you are back before the gates close.
Mt. Woodson Gateway parking (Highway 67)
The County of San Diego opened this lot on March 18, 2026. It has four parking areas with about 200 spaces, 7 accessible spaces and portable restrooms. The trailhead is reached from Parking Area A. Day-use parking is $5 per vehicle and can be bought online. A County Parks annual pass also works here. The lot is open from sunrise to sunset, but the County says hikers can still walk in to the trailhead outside those hours.
With a private ride you avoid both problems. You don’t hunt for a space at 7 a.m., and nobody has to leave a car on the side of Highway 67.
Heat safety on Mt. Woodson
Heat is the biggest danger on this hike. Inland Poway and Ramona get much hotter than the coast, and the trail has very little shade. The City of Poway warns that it gets hotter as you climb, even if the start feels cool.
- Heat closures: the City of Poway has closed the trail from Lake Poway to Potato Chip Rock when temperatures are forecast to reach 100 degrees or a heat warning or advisory is in effect. Signs are posted at the trailheads. Check the city’s news page before a hot-weather hike.
- Water: the city says hikers can lose about a quart of water an hour, more when climbing in the sun. Start drinking a couple of hours before, carry extra, and turn around when half your water is gone.
- Start early: be on the trail at first light. Avoid the middle of the day.
- Dress for sun: a hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and light clothing that covers your skin.
- Know the signs: dizziness, nausea and muscle cramps can mean heat exhaustion. Stop, find shade and get help if it gets worse.
- Wildlife: rattlesnakes and mountain lions live in the area. Stay on the trail and watch where you put your hands on the rocks.
Late fall, winter and early spring are the best months. Even then, a Santa Ana wind day can push inland temperatures up fast, so check the forecast the night before.
Getting the photo safely
Most people come for one picture: standing on the thin end of the rock with the valley far below. The camera angle makes the drop look much bigger than it is, but there is still a real drop next to the rock, and falls happen.
- Expect a line. On weekends, groups take turns at the rock. Bring patience and agree on your photos before your turn.
- Don’t jump. Jumping on or off the rock is how people get hurt. Step on and off slowly.
- Stay off the edge. Don’t walk to the very tip, and don’t stand there in strong wind.
- Use a photographer below. The famous shot is taken from the rocks below the chip. Your friend stays on safe ground.
Getting to Potato Chip Rock without a car
Both trailheads are inland. From downtown San Diego or San Diego International Airport (SAN), the drive is roughly 35 to 45 minutes in normal traffic, mostly via I-15 to Poway. Allow more at weekday rush hour. There is no simple public transit to either trailhead.
Drop-off and pickup
The easiest plan is a drop-off at the trailhead and a pickup when you finish. You have two ways to book it with Trip Limo Service:
- Two one-way rides: book a ride from your hotel to the trailhead, then a second ride back for the time you expect to finish. This works well for the Lake Poway route, which takes a full morning.
- Hourly service: book the SUV by the hour (3-hour minimum) on our hourly booking page. Your chauffeur waits nearby while you hike, and the SUV is ready the moment you are back. This suits the shorter Highway 67 route or a day with more stops.
Our black SUVs (Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon XL or Chevrolet Suburban) carry up to 6 passengers, so a whole hiking group rides together. The price is fixed per vehicle and shown before you book. It covers the vehicle, chauffeur, fuel and tolls. Gratuity is not included. You can cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Hiking on the day you fly in or out
Some visitors fit the hike around a flight. Our San Diego airport car service tracks your flight and waits up to one hour after landing at no extra charge. Plan the hike for a separate morning, not right after a long flight. Our San Diego airport guide covers terminals and pickup points.
Make it a backcountry day
Ramona sits on the way to the mountains, so Potato Chip Rock pairs well with a trip further east. Hike at sunrise, then continue up Highway 78 to the old gold-mining town of Julian for lunch and apple pie. Our Julian day trip guide covers what to see there. Hourly service is the easiest way to link both stops in one day. If you prefer a coastal hike with ocean views, our Torrey Pines Reserve guide covers a gentler coastal reserve closer to town (closed for repairs until about March 2027; the beach below stays open).
Potato Chip Rock FAQ
How long is the Potato Chip Rock hike?
From Lake Poway it is the longer route, and most hikers plan a full morning for the round trip. From the Highway 67 trailhead in Ramona it is much shorter but steep the whole way. Your time depends on fitness, heat and the line at the rock.
Where do you park for Potato Chip Rock?
Park at Lake Poway ($10 for non-residents on weekends and holidays) or at the Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve lot at 16286 Highway 67 ($5 day-use). Don’t park on the Highway 67 shoulder. A drop-off and pickup avoids parking altogether.
Is the Potato Chip Rock hike hard?
Yes. Both routes are steep and exposed to the sun. Bring more water than you think you need and start early.
What time does the trail open?
Lake Poway is open daily from 6 a.m. to sunset, and the gates are locked at sunset. The Highway 67 lot is open sunrise to sunset, and the County allows walk-in access to the trailhead outside those hours.
Is the trail ever closed for heat?
Yes. The City of Poway has closed the trail from Lake Poway to Potato Chip Rock when temperatures are forecast to reach 100 degrees or a heat warning or advisory is in effect. Check the city’s website before a hot-weather hike.
How far is Potato Chip Rock from downtown San Diego?
Roughly 35 to 45 minutes by car in normal traffic, mostly via I-15. The time is similar from San Diego International Airport.
Can you get a ride to the trailhead and back?
Yes. Book two one-way rides, or book an SUV by the hour (3-hour minimum) so your chauffeur is ready when you finish. Up to 6 passengers ride in one SUV for one fixed price.
Book your Potato Chip Rock ride
Skip the parking lines and the highway shoulder. Book a private black SUV to the Lake Poway or Highway 67 trailhead, hike at your own pace and ride back in comfort. Enter your pickup address and the trailhead on the booking page to see your fixed price before you pay.
Book Your RideQuestions? Call (858) 413-8888.