Pinyon Flats campground is located in a desert landscape with views of the surrounding mountains.
Accessible. 18 sites available.
Latitude 33° 35′ 5.5572″ N
Longitude 116° 27′ 24.3576″ W
This 110-mile route traverses the rim of the San Bernardino Mountains from Cajon Pass to San Gorgonio Pass. The Rim of the World Scenic Byway travels through some of the most naturally beautiful areas in Southern California. Spectacular vistas and panoramas exist everywhere along the route. This Byway encompasses portions of California Highways 138, 18, and 38. This Byway is open year-round, but you may need chains in the winter as this area does receive snow. the portion of the route between Mill Creek and Onyx Summit offer unique views of the Sand to Snow National Monument. Call the Big Bear Discovery Center (909) 382-2790 (closed Tues/Wed) for more information.
Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S
Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W
This family campground is located at 6,400′ in elevation in a pine/fir forest near the Santa Ana River along Hwy 38 between Angelus Oaks and Big Bear Lake. There are 28 sites. Each site accommodates a maximum of 8 persons. First come/first serve; no reservations accepted. Open during the summer and fall months only.
From the Discovery Center take SR Hwy 38 towards Redlands for 23 miles and turn left into the campground.
From the Mill Creek Work Center take SR Hwy 38 towards Big Bear for 21.6 miles and turn right into the campground.
Latitude 34° 10′ 10.6824″ N
Longitude 116° 49′ 38.7048″ W
Rising abruptly from the desert floor, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument reaches an elevation of 10,834 feet. Providing a picturesque backdrop to local communities, visitors can enjoy magnificent palm oases, snow-capped mountains, a national scenic trail, and wilderness areas. Its extensive backcountry can be accessed via trails from both the Coachella Valley and the alpine village of Idyllwild.
Jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service, the Monument’s boundary encompasses about 280,000 acres, including public lands within the BLM’s California Desert Conservation Area and the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest. The Monument includes two Federal wilderness areas — the Santa Rosa and the San Jacinto.
The Monument was established by an Act of Congress on October 24, 2000, "in order to preserve the nationally significant biological, cultural, recreational, geological, educational, and scientific values found in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains" (Public Law 106-351). Establishment of the Monument reflects the vision of local citizens and national leaders to ensure this special landscape is protected for all time.
Information about the Monument can be obtained at each agency office or at the link below. The Idyllwild Ranger Station is a good source for hiking information. The Idyllwild Nature Center offers natural and cultural history exhibits and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center (760-862-9984) south of Palm Desert on Highway 74, has interpretive displays, information about the Monument, and hosts many events and activities. Mt. San Jacinto State Park has a small visitor center at the top of the Palm Springs Aeriel Tram.
For more information, please visit the monument webpage: https://www.blm.gov/nlcs_web/sites/ca/st/en/prog/nlcs/SantaRosa_SanJacintoMtns_NM.html
Latitude 33° 39′ 56.9268″ N
Longitude 116° 23′ 41.6652″ W
This road travels from the junction with North Shore Spur Road 2N96 (street legal only road) to the junction with Skyline OHV Road 2N27Y and Rouse Ranch OHV Road 2N25.
Important Note: Rouse Ranch OHV Road is restricted to street legal vehicles only from 2N27Y/2N28Y to Torrey Pine Road. Also 2N96 is also street legal vehicles only.
Latitude 34° 16′ 33.2832″ N
Longitude 117° 10′ 2.9136″ W
Located on State Highway 138 west of Summit Valley Road (part of the Rim of the World Scenic Byway). This unpaved overlook offers views of Cajon Pass, home to Interstate 15 and 4 railway lines, this location is popular with railroad fans. Do not venture near the cliff. Open all year.
Cajon Pass is a moderate-elevation mountain pass between the San Bernardino Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California in the United States. It was created by the movements of the San Andreas Fault. The Mojave Desert pass provides an important economic link from the Greater San Bernardino Area, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, to Victor Valley, and northeast to Las Vegas.
The California Southern Railroad, a subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, was the first railroad to use the Cajon Pass as a route through the mountains. The rail line through the pass was built in the early 1880s as part of a connection between the present day cities of Barstow and San Diego. Today, the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway (the successor to the Santa Fe) use this pass to access Los Angeles and San Bernardino. Due to the high volume of trains, noteworthy scenery and easy access, it is a popular location for railfanning, and numerous photographs of trains on Cajon Pass appear in books and magazines about trains. The current Amtrak Chicago-Los Angeles Southwest Chief passenger train travels through the pass.
The Union Pacific Railroad operates and owns one track through the pass, on the previous Southern Pacific Railroad Palmdale cutoff, opened in 1967. The BNSF Railway had two tracks and began to operate a third main track in the summer of 2008. The railroads share track rights through the pass ever since the Union Pacific gained track rights on the Santa Fe portion negotiated under the original Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. The original BNSF (ATSF) line was constructed in 1890 and later roads, U.S. Route 66 and I-15, roughly followed this route.
The railfan community can play a key role in ensuring America’s rail network remains safe from vandalism, terrorism and incidents.
Because America's railroads have a long history in the growth and development of this country, and many people follow the industry and trains with interest, it is only natural to tap that interest to help safeguard railroads from incidents.
In 2006, BNSF was an industry leader in developing the first community-based rail fan reporting program called Citizens for Rail Security (CRS). Since inception rail fans have joined CRS in helping protect the railroad by reporting security violations, trespassers or unusual occurrences. Today, BNSF is broadening that effort by further educating community and legislative groups, police authorities and schools on rail security and how citizens can help.
As part of this education program, a DVD will be distributed to help communities understand the vitality railroads bring to the economy and who and what to report to either the local or railroad police. When possible, BNSF Resource Protection Officers will also make presentations to groups on railroad safety or security in addition to providing the DVDs.
Maintaining a sound and safe rail network is a priority for this nation. Railroads carry hundreds of commodities that help communities and individuals thrive, including lumber, automobiles, chemicals for water purification, coal, and many consumer products.
Help support a safe rail network by joining the Citizens for Rail Security. To report suspicious activity, contact BNSF’s Resource Operations Center at (1-800) 832-5452.
Latitude 34° 19′ 31.0044″ N
Longitude 117° 25′ 44.9220″ W
These three remote camping sites offer isolated scenic locations ideal for tent and car camping or a relaxing picnic far from the crowds. Other than a pit for campfires, these sites do NOT contain the amenities found at developed campgrounds. There is no water, no picnic tables, no restrooms nearby, and no trash containers. Please pack it in – pack it out! All sites are first-come, first-served.
Campfire permits are required for any type of fire use – campfires, charcoal BBQ’s, or stoves. Campfires may not be allowed certain times of the year. See Current Conditions below or call the Lytle Creek Ranger Station (909-382-2851).
Coldwater Canyon Yellow Post Sites are reached via forest roads 3N06and 3N06A. Please refer to the Yellow-post site map available by clicking on this link or for free at the Lytle Creek Ranger Station.
High-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles are required for reaching the Coldwater Canyon sites (17 through 19 on the map) on Forest Road 3N06A. 3N06A is the rocky road to the left that begins by crossing the wash about 1.4 miles past the Lytle Creek Firing Line (shooting range). There is no road sign to identify it.
Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S
Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W
This short 2/10 mile OHV road connects Holcomb Valley OHV Road 3N16 to White Mountain OHV Road 3N17.
Important Note: Non-street legal vehicles cannot travel east on 3N16 from 3N56.
Latitude 34° 19′ 32.7864″ N
Longitude 116° 58′ 41.4444″ W
The largest of three designated shooting sites in the Big Pine Flat area, this location is ideal for target shooting with rifles or long range target practice. Pistol and shotgun are also appropriate for this site as well. The shooting site is approximately 100 to 150 yards long, backing up to a hillside.
Latitude 34° 18′ 31.1472″ N
Longitude 116° 59′ 45.0276″ W
Black Mountain Fire Lookout (elev. 7,772 ft.) is located in the San Jacinto Mountains. Access is via either a 1-mile round-trip hike on a dirt road from Boulder Basin Campground, or the longer Black Mountain Trail. The tower is staffed by volunteers and is usually open between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm during fire season. Visitors are welcome to come up to the top and view the mountains, learn about the National Forest, use the Fire Finder and learn about fire prevention. The tower season is generally from Memorial Day to November.
Built in 1926, Black Mountain was the third lookout built on the San Bernardino National Forest. In 1935 the original lookout was disassembled and rebuilt on Barton Peak. The lookout that sits on Black Mountain today was completely in 1962.
Black Mountain has spectacular views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Mt. Palomar Observatory to the south, San Gorgonio Pass to the north, and on a clear day you can see as far as the ocean to west. Occasionally, hosts and guests are greeted by glider planes that come over San Jacinto Peak, riding the desert and mountain wind currents, wisping by silently.
Latitude 33° 49′ 21.5904″ N
Longitude 116° 45′ 18.6588″ W