Santa Fe Depot

Outdoors

Horseback riding near San Bernardino

Trails and recreation areas near San Bernardino open to horseback riding, including horse camps.

Good to know: Check trailer parking and stock water at the trailhead, and whether certified weed-free hay is required.

Within 30 miles (5)

2 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service

San Bernardino National Forest

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting

14 mi northeast · USDA Forest Service · Campground

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

17 mi south · National Park Service

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

20 mi north · Bureau of Land Management

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

25 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Prado Dam

This San Bernardino County Parks managed area is an oasis within one of the fastest growing areas of Southern California. Riverside County and the City of Corona also provide recreation facilities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

30 to 75 miles (11)

38 mi east · Bureau of Land Management

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

38 mi east · Bureau of Land Management

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

39 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers

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

40 mi east · Bureau of Land Management

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

41 mi east · Bureau of Land Management

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

42 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

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

43 mi west · USDA Forest Service

Angeles National Forest

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
  • Hiking
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback riding
  • Off-highway vehicles
  • Picnicking

44 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers

Whittier Narrows Dam

This project is managed by Los Angeles County Parks and the City of Pico Rivera. Whittier Narrows has no permanent pool.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

45 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

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

56 mi southeast · Bureau of Land Management

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

58 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

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

Questions

Where is the closest place for horseback riding near San Bernardino?

San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service), about 2 miles southeast of San Bernardino as the crow flies. Next are Fishermans Group (14 mi) and Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (17 mi).

When is the best time for horseback riding near San Bernardino?

Based on San Bernardino’s average highs, October–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

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