Hikes in San Bernardino National Forest

The Morton Peak Hike is a fun outdoor journey in the San Bernardino National Forest that will see you gain elevation for beautiful views. While out hiking the trail, you will follow along a dirt road as it snakes uphill to the summit of Morton Peak, where you will enjoy sweeping views of Southern California. If you are after a hike that is more about the destination than the journey, then you will certainly enjoy the Morton Peak Hike.

The Mount San Jacinto Hike is an unforgettable, albeit challenging, adventure in the San Bernardino National Forest that will take you up to the summit of Southern California’s second tallest peak. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way through a pristine stretch of wilderness, before pushing on to the summit of Mount San Jacinto for incredible views that stretch out to the ocean on a clear day. If you are planning on hiking in Southern California, then you certainly will not want to miss this trail.

The Aspen Grove Trail is a fantastic outdoor adventure in the San Gorgonio Wilderness area that will expose you to a lovely woodland setting. While out on the trail, you will trek through the lush forest and cross over several streams, all while taking in the views of the beautiful Aspen trees that are uncommon in Southern California. Be sure to obtain a permit before hiking in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area.

The Ernie Maxwell Trail is a spectacular nature hike in Southern California that features a variety of terrain and wonderfully scenic views. While out hiking the trail, you will gain a small amount of elevation as you work through the forest and take in the awesome views of surrounding mountain peaks. Sections of this route are a bit narrow and rocky, but it is still a great trail that the entire family can enjoy.

The Castle Rock to Lookout Point Hike is an amazing adventure in the San Bernardino National Forest that will take you to a series of viewpoints with stunning scenery. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill through the forest landscape and summit Castle Rock for views over Big Bear Lake, before continuing on past Bluff Lake to arrive at Lookout Point. Hikers should take note that some sections of this trail are poorly marked, so it is a good idea to bring a GPS or trail map to stay on the correct route.

The Big Bear Discovery Center Nature Trail is a fantastic family-friendly adventure in the San Bernardino National Forest that features a lovely woodland setting and informative signs. While out on the trail, you will follow along a well-maintained path through a beautiful stretch of forest and will be able to learn about local plant and animal life from a series of interpretive signs. Be sure to arrive early so that you can easily secure parking close by.

The poppet Flat Divide Truck Trail is a quick and easy adventure in San Bernardino National Forest that follows along a forest service road and offers views over the surrounding landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will gain a small amount of elevation along the road as you work your way to the lookout at Ranger Peak, before heading south for some more views. Although this route largely follows a long and flat dirt road, there is one section of rocks that you will need to traverse, making proper hiking boots a necessity.

The Cougar Crest Trail is a fantastic moderate length hiking route in San Bernardino National Forest that will offer a bit of a challenge and provide beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will work your way uphill through the forest and take in the beautiful views of the surrounding area, before arriving at the endpoint of the route at a junction with the PCT. Hikers should take note that you will need an Adventure Pass in order to park at the trailhead, otherwise you can park 0.6 km east at the Big Bear Discovery Center.

The Mormon Rocks Interpretive Trail is a short hiking route in the San Bernardino National Forest that will take you through an area filled with interesting geological formations. While out on the trail, you will meander around a short loop and traverse the rugged sandstone Mormon Rocks while taking in their natural beauty. Although some of the terrain here is a bit rough, it is a great little adventure that the entire family can enjoy.

The Skyline to Snow Summit Trail is a wonderful hiking route in the San Bernardino National Forest that will lead you uphill through the woodland terrain to reach the top of a ski hill. While out on the trail, you will work your way through the forest along well-maintained paths, before arriving at the top of Snow Summit for beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Hikers should also take note that the slopes are popular with mountain bike enthusiasts in the summer, so make sure to keep an eye out and allow others to safely pass.

The Keller Peak Hike is a spectacular long distance adventure in the San Bernardino National Forest that will take you up to a summit viewpoint with beautiful scenery. While out hiking the trail, you will work your way uphill through the beautiful woodland terrain, gaining a fair bit of elevation along the trail before taking in the views from Keller Peak. Hikers should take note that you will need to display an Adventure Pass in your vehicle in order to utilize this trail.

The Sugarloaf Mountain Trail is a challenging hiking route in San Bernardino National Forest that climbs uphill for views of the surrounding mountains. While out hiking the trail, you will gain a large amount of elevation as you climb uphill through the forest to reach the scenic viewpoint atop Sugarloaf Mountain. Take note that you will need to display an Adventure Pass on your vehicle in order to utilize this trail, otherwise you will be fined.

The Hanna Flat to Grays Peak Hike is a great route west of Fawnskin in the San Bernardino National Forest that will take you to a summit vantage point for views of the surrounding area. While out hiking the trail, you will traverse a stretch of undulating terrain with light tree cover, before making the climb up to the summit of Grays Peak for scenic views. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, as large portions of this trail are exposed to the sun.

The Little Bear Peak Hike is a great family-friendly adventure in San Bernardino National Forest that will see you climb to the summit of a small peak with big views. While out on the trail, you will work your way uphill through a bit of light forest cover, before pushing on to the summit of Little Bear Peak for gorgeous views of the surrounding California landscape. Hikers should note that you will need an Adventure Pass displayed in your vehicle in order to utilize this hiking route.

The Big Falls Trail is a short and beautifully scenic hiking route in the San Bernardino National Forest that will lead you to a charming waterfall. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill through the forest alongside Falls Creek, where you will quickly arrive at the viewpoint for the Big Falls. Due to the high volume of search and rescue operations that have been conducted in the area, hikers are no longer allowed to continue on past the falls.

The Grays Peak Trail is an amazing intermediate length hiking route in San Bernardino National Forest that will take you up to a gorgeous summit viewpoint. While out on the trail, you will work your way uphill through a wonderfully atmospheric stretch of woodland terrain, before arriving at the top of Grays Peak for views of Big Bear Lake. Hikers should take note that this trail is sometimes closed due to habitat protection, so make sure to check its status in advance of your hike.

The Bradford Ridge Path to Deep Creek Hot Springs is an amazing adventure in the boundaries of San Bernardino National Forest that will take you to a series of relaxing thermal pools. While out hiking the trail, you will leave the rugged landscape of the mountains behind in order to traverse the desert, where you will eventually reach the serene hot springs set along Deep Creek. Hikers should take note that you will need an adventure pass displayed in your vehicle in order to utilize this trail.

The Whispering Pines Nature Trail is a spectacular family-friendly adventure in the San Bernardino National Forest that will see you complete a short loop through the forest. While out on the trail, you will be surrounded by calming woodland scenery, as you traverse the loop in a laid back fashion. Hikers will need to have their Adventure Pass displayed in their vehicle in order to utilize this hiking route.

The Cleghorn Mountain Trail is a rugged adventure in the San Bernardino National Forest that climbs uphill through undulating terrain for gorgeous views. While out hiking the trail, you will follow along a rough road and gain a decent amount of elevation, before arriving at the summit of Cleghorn Mountain for views of nearby peaks. Hikers should take note that off-road vehicles are also permitted to utilize this route, so make sure to stick to the side of the trail, as well as keep an eye on children and dogs.

The Camp Seely to Cedarpines Park Loop Trail is a short adventure in San Bernardino National Forest that offers scenic views overlooking the Valley of Enchantment. While out on the trail, you will climb uphill through the forest and loop around to a lookout with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, before descending into the trailhead. This is a fun hiking route that the entire family can enjoy, just be prepared to break a bit of a sweat!