San Bernardino National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
Outdoors
Hiking near San Bernardino
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near San Bernardino, closest first.
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Within 30 miles (17)
North Shore (Ca)
North Shore Campground is a quiet place to camp, away from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Fishermans Group
This campground is Hike In only. Fisherman's Group Campground is a semi-primitive campground reached by a 2.5-mile hike into the mountains of southern California.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Wildlife viewing
Tent Peg Group
Tent Peg Group Campground offers a semi-primitive location for an extended family or large group outing. The area provides easy access to many off-road vehicle trails.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Crab Flats
Crab Flats Campground is an off-roaders paradise, with plenty of off-road vehicle trails nearby for both beginner and experienced riders.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Green Valley
Green Valley Campground is located near Arrowbear in the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Shady Cove Group Campground
Shady Cove Group Campground is a beautiful place to camp within the Children's National Forest. It provides access to numerous trails and a lookout tower, with a climbing area nearby.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1200 miles through the homelands of 70+ Tribal communities. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA.
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Mojave River Dam
San Bernardino County Parks manages this project in the high desert wilderness at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains. No permanent pool, but camping and picnicking facilities are available. Access to the Pacific Crest Trail.
- Hiking
Bluff Mesa Group Camp
Bluff Mesa Group Campground is conveniently located for campers to enjoy all the beautiful Big Bear Lake area has to offer. A variety of trailheads are nearby, leading visitors through the scenic forest that surrounds the campground.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Juniper Flats
Juniper Flats covers 101,272 acres of mixed public and private lands. Located between the Mojave Desert and the forests of the San Bernardino Mountains, Juniper Flats hosts a unique mixture of plants from both environments.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
Boulder Group Camp
Boulder Group Campground is a great place to bring an extended family or large group for a relaxing camping excursion.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Ironwood Group Camp
Ironwood Group Campground offers a secluded place for an extended family or large group getaway in the mountains of Southern California.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground
Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground is a beautiful place to take the horses on a camping outing.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Grays Peak Group Camp
Grays Peak Group Campground is conveniently located for campers to enjoy all that the Big Bear Lake area has to offer. Many trailheads are nearby, leading visitors through the scenic forest that surrounds the campground.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
Hanna Flat
Hanna Flat Campground is a family-friendly facility nestled in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California. It offers access to a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities and a beautiful location to enjoy nature.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Council
The Council Group Campground is a great place to enjoy a large outdoor gathering with just about everything the San Bernardino National Forest has to offer.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
30 to 75 miles (14)
Carbon Canyon Dam
Managed by Orange County, there is no permanent pool, but varied facilities such as fishing, picnic areas, a nature trail, and tennis. The site of the historic oil boom town of Olinda. Adjoins Chino Hills State Park.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
El Mirage OHV Area
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
San Gorgonio Wilderness
This wilderness is part of the eastern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains with topography rapidly changing from low, rolling foothills and canyons to steep, rugged mountains. Elevations range from 2,300 to 5,500 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Sand to Snow National Monument
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Accessible Swimming
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Brea Dam
The recreation facilities at this project are managed by the City of Fullerton (CA) Community Services. Golf and tennis are main attractions at this project, located among the picturesque rolling hills in the City of Fullerton.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Bighorn Mountain Wilderness
The north-central portion of this Wilderness area holds the rugged Bighorn Mountains and the eastern foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve/ACEC is well recognized as an important wildlife corridor that links BLM's San Gorgonio Wilderness with the San Bernardino National Forest and Joshua Tree National Park.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Johnson Valley OHV Area
Click here for the latest information concerning upcoming military training and closures of the Shared Use Area. Overview Johnson Valley is a varied landscape for the off-highway vehicle driver.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Recreational Vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Angeles National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness
The Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 33,610 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Barstow
The Ord Mountain Route Network is south of Barstow and links the Stoddard Valley and Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Areas, also known as Open Areas. Travel within the network is limited to posted open routes.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Newberry Mountains Wilderness
Rugged and volcanic in origin, the Newberry Mountains rise with relative gentleness toward rather broad and flat tops with elevations ranging from 2,200 feet in the north to 5,100 feet in the south.
- Hiking
- Wilderness
Beauty Mountain Wilderness
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wilderness
Rodman Mountains Wilderness
Colorful escarpments, white mountains splotched with red and black, a maze of canyons, and majestic bajadas come together in Rodman Mountains Wilderness.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wilderness
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown San Bernardino. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near San Bernardino
- Camping near San Bernardino
- Fishing near San Bernardino
- Boating and kayaking near San Bernardino
- Biking and mountain biking near San Bernardino
- Picnic spots near San Bernardino
- Horseback riding near San Bernardino
- Wildlife viewing and birding near San Bernardino
- Swimming holes and lakes near San Bernardino
- Parks in San Bernardino
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near San Bernardino?
San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service), about 2 miles southeast of San Bernardino as the crow flies. Next are North Shore (Ca) (13 mi) and Fishermans Group (14 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near San Bernardino?
Based on San Bernardino’s average highs, November–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.