Welcome to San Bernardino Forest

660,000 acres of the San Bernadino Mountains were set aside in 1893 by President Benjamin Harrison to manage the mountain sheep and wildfires that frequent the area. The forest lands are found in two major sections; one covering the San Bernardino Mountains (north of I-10) and the other covering the San Jacinto mountains (south of I-10).

This area includes the highest mountains in Southern California. Elevations range from 1,000 feet to Mount San Gorgonio - 11,502 ft.

Explore over 500 miles of trails that include fresh pine forest, scenic mountain meadows and seasonal desert wildflowers. This is a unique region shared by desert cactus and snow-peaked mountains. And the big bodies of water, like Big Bear Lake, that serve as a recreational oasis for parched and thirsty Southern Californians.

San Bernadino National Forest
United States Forest Service
1824 S. Commercenter Cir., San Bernadino, CA 92408-3430; - 909-383-5588
Forest Website; Forest Camping
Most sites are available on a first come/first served basis.
Big Pine Flat - 17 Sites / 6800 ft elev. - 7 miles NW of Fawnskin on Forest Road 3N14 (May-Oct)
Hanna Flat - 88 sites / 7000 ft elev. - 2.5 miles NW of Fawnskin on Forest Road 3N14 (May-Oct)
Holcomb Valley - 19 sites / 7400 ft elev. - 4 miles N on 2N09 to 3N16 E (right), continue on 3N16 3/4 mile (Year round)
Horse Springs - 11 sites /5800 ft elev. - 12 miles NW of Fawnskin on Forest Road 3N14 (year round)
Pine Knot - 48 sites / 7000 ft elev. - S on Summit Blvd. to Bristlecone, left 1/4 mile to campground (May-Oct)
Serrano - 132 sites / 6800 ft elev - N Shore Lane off SR-38, about 2 miles E of Fawnskin (Apr-Nov)

Wilderness Areas:
Cucamonga Wilderness Area - High range in San Gabriel Mountains
San Gorgonio Wilderness Area -
Santa Rosa Wilderness Area
San Jacinto Wilderness Area - and State Park

Cucamonga Wilderness Area
Protects area that includes Cucamonga Peak, one of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains. Named for Tiburcio Tapia's Rancho Cucamonga, the mountain towers above the western region of the Inland Empire. The peak can also be seen on a perfectly clear day from San Jacinto 46 miles (74 km) southeast of the peak. The most accessible trailhead for hiking Cucamonga Peak is Icehouse Canyon. Forest Service Trail 7W07 leads from here to Icehouse Saddle, from which the Cucamonga Peak Trail (7W04) leads to the summit. This route is 12 miles round trip, with 4,300 feet of elevation gain.

Mount San Jacinto State Park
13,522 acres just west of Palm Springs and encompasses many popular hiking trails on 10,805 foot Mount San Jacinto.

Viator - Guided VIP Tours for The Inland Empire
Guided VIP Tours to area theme parks, wilderness adventures, dinner cruises, nightclubs, aviation and many other exciting adventures.

Pacific Crest Trail Tour
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is the jewel in the crown of America’s scenic trails, spanning 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. Hikers cross the beauty of the desert, glaciated expanses of the Sierra Nevada, and provides commanding vistas of volcanic peaks and glaciers in the Cascade Range. The trail also passes through historic mining sites and evidence of human’s endless quest for natural resources.

Rim of the World Drive
Highly recommended scenic drive on SR-18. 40-mile road winds through the San Bernardino Mountains upto Lake Arrowhead and other scenic mountain resort communities interspersed with high-elevation panoramic views of the Southern California.

Exciting high adventure opportunities for exploring, boating, camping, hiking, watersports, weekend retreats and more.
Inland Empire Adventure Tour Guides - San Bernardino Forest
Order Free Brochures Here - Over 100 Options

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Since 1963, over 13 million visitors have escaped the heat of the desert floor and ascended up to the pleasant cool atop Mount San Jacinto. The 10-minutes, 2.5 mile ride begins at the Valley Station (2643 ft) and ends at the Mountain Station (8516 ft).

Big Bear Discovery Center
40971 North Shore Dr. (SR-38) P.O. Box 66 Fawnskin, California 92338; 909-866-3437; Center Website;
Summer Hours: Open Daily 8:30AM-4:30PM;
Winter Hours: Open Fri-Tue 8:30AM-4:30PM;
This facility opened in 1998 as a prototype for urban forest Visitor Centers around the country. Forest experience center - hiking trails, ranger adventure programs, school groups, mountain biking, camping info. The center will heighten your awareness to become a more responsible forest caretaker while increasing your enjoyment and knowledge of California’s most recreated forestland.
Mountain Amphitheater - Summer Concert Series
Big Bear Bluegrass Festival - 4th Saturday in July at Mountain Amphitheater

Inland Empire Adventure Tours
Explore the Golden State - (Keyword: Inland Empire)

Inland Empire Sports & Recreation

Sports & Athletics
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Festival Guide - Sports Events
Regional Golf Courses

Inland Empire Boy Scouts
Outdoor Recreational Adventure Activities for Youth:

Big Bear Area Ski Resorts
Get uptodate local snow reports and ski information on the following major winter resorts in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Ski Big Bear Mountain Park - The only full service mountain resort in the world devoted almost entirely to freestyle terrain.
Ski Mountain Home - The terrain will be mostly intermediate and there will be a small assortment of jumps, rails and fun boxes including some of the newest features like The Toolbox.
Ski Mount Baldy - Mt Baldy is the Largest and Steepest Resort in Southern California. 26 Runs spanning 3 Mountains covering 800 Acres with 2,100 Vertical Feet.
Ski Snow Summit - Southern California's premier resort for traditional skiers, snowboarders and families with children.
Ski Snow Valley - Snow Valley has 35 different ski trails and the longest run is 1.25 miles long.
Ski Sunrise - Ski Sunrise is one of the West's only upside down ski areas.

The San Gorgonio Wilderness includes the tallest mountains in Southern California. On a clear day this landmark formation can be seen from across most of Southern California. Usually snow covered and most readily visible immediately following a good winter storm. It is the only area that has a distinct alpine line.

Its 58,969 acres harbor two small lakes, meadows, streams, 100+ miles of trail, densely forested northern slopes, and rugged terrain.