San Bernardino National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

San Bernardino National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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San Bernardino National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Tips

By Ann Marie Brown
  • Dark Canyon Campground near Idyllwild has only 17 sites, some near Dark Canyon's stream and others in the dense shade of mixed conifers. Despite the masses of Southern Californians who come to Idyllwild's mountains to escape the summer heat, all is peaceful here. Neighboring Fern Basin and Marion Mountain campgrounds are also good choices.
  • A forest of Jeffrey pines surrounds Hanna Flats Campground near Fawnskin, Big Bear Lake's most charming town. The lake is a busy place on summer weekends, but the dirt access road to Hanna Flats limits the number of people who camp here. A hiking and mountain-biking trail leads from camp to Grout Bay.
  • Pine Knot Campground is located up on a hill above Big Bear Lake, adjacent to Snow Summit Ski Area. Its 52 sites are tucked among the conifers, providing plenty of privacy and the flush toilets are a welcome luxury. This is a great spot for families, with only a short drive to the lake and town.
  • San Bernardino National Forest allows "yellow post camping" at designated sites near Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, and Idyllwild. Yellow post camps are flat clearings with a picnic table and firewood, but no water or toilet facilities. Campers must pack out their own trash. There is no fee, but an interagency access pass and campfire permit are required.

San Bernardino National Forest Overview

If it weren't for the San Bernardino Mountains, Los Angeles probably would have sprawled all the way to Phoenix a long time ago. It takes a formidable wall of rock to contain a city the size of L.A., and the San Bernardinos are exactly that. Read More

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Hotels

Stargazers Inn & Observatory

717 Jeffries Rd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Distance: 5.1 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0

Chateau du Lac

911 Hospital Rd.
Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352

Distance: 16.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0

Pine Knot Guest Ranch

908 Pine Knot Ave.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Distance: 4.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
All San Bernardino National Forest Hotels »
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Attractions

Mount San Gorgonio

expert favorite attraction
San Gorgonio Wilderness/San Bernardino National Forest
602 S. Tippecanoe Ave.
San Bernardino, California 92408

Distance: 12.3 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Mount San Gorgonio encompasses 58,969 acres of trails, lakes, meadows, streams, mountain slopes, and forests.... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Tahquitz Peak

expert favorite attraction
San Jacinto Wilderness/San Bernardino National Forest
P.O. Box 308, 25905 Hwy. 243
Idyllwild, California 92549

Distance: 31.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Tahquitz Peak trail wanders through varied forest to an elevation of 8,828 feet, where granite peaks overlook the San Bernardino National Forest.... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Bertha Peak

San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake
602 S. Tippecanoe Ave.
San Bernardino, California 92408

Distance: 8.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: An easy and popular three-mile trail, Bertha Peak follows a fairly level path to mountaintop views of Big Bear Lake and the San Gorgonio Wilderness.... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
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Airports

Major Airports near San Bernardino National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Ontario International Airport 40.9 map
Santa Ana John Wayne Airport 64.6 map
Burbank Bob Hope Airport 82.0 map

Other Smaller Airports near San Bernardino National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Palm Springs Municipal Airport 33.2 map
Palmdale Air Force 42 Airport 74.1 map
Long Beach Municipal Airport 74.8 map

Flight Deals to San Bernardino National Forest

Originating From
Seattle (SEA) to Ontario (ONT) $187
Denver (DEN) to Ontario (ONT) $200
Salt Lake City (SLC) to Ontario (ONT) $213
Austin (AUS) to Ontario (ONT) $234
Kansas City (MKC) to Ontario (ONT) $244

Feature Articles

More San Bernardino National Forest Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (1) »
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Trip Ideas

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    Whether it’s for a few hours or a few days, we’ve all got to get away sometime. Since we can’t always explore the Amazon after work or trek Tibet in a weekend, we bring you an inspired list of the country’s best city-centric, all-natural playgrounds—ones within city limits, and ones just beyond the suburban sprawl—tailor-made for bite-sized bursts of urban adventuring.
  • Pacific and Indian Oceans: Southern California
    Top 10 Spots for Experiencing Sharks

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