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Day Hiking
The forest is abundant with wonderful day hikes to choose from. We've listed several of our favorite trails for you to explore. Lower elevation trails (less than 5,000') are best for fall/winter/and spring hikes. Upper elevation trails are best hiked in the summer months, unless you are ready and equipped for a snowshoeing adventure!
Please remember to wear clothing and footwear appropriate for the trail and weather. Don't forget your sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses! Even on short day hikes we recommend carrying a backpack with snacks, at least 2 liters of water, a pocket knife, flashlight, whistle, and a first aid kit. Remember to check the weather and leave an itinerary with someone you trust before you head out on the trail.
Day Hiking Areas
- Barton Flats - San Gorgonio Recreation Area
- Alder Creek Trail 2W18
- Aqueduct Trail 2W04
- Aspen Grove Trail 2E05
- Bear Wallow Trail 2E10
- Big Falls Trail 1E13
- Clark's Ranch / Siberia Creek Trail 1W10
- Columbine Springs Spur Trail 1W01
- Dollar Lake Spur Trail 1E03
- Dry Lake Trail 1E05.3
- Fish Creek Trail 1W07
- Forsee Basin / Johns Meadow Trail 1E16
- Forsee Creek Trail 1E06
- Government Canyon Trail 2W12
- Halfway Trail 1E18
- Jack Straw Spur Trail 1E17
- Jenks Lake Trail 1E20
- Kitching Peak Trail 2E24
- Little San Gorgonio Trail 1E11.2
- Lodgepole Trail 1E14
- Lost Creek Trail 1E09
- Millard Canyon Trail 2E09
- Momyer Creek Trail 1E06
- North Fork Meadows (Big Tree) Trail 1E05.3A
- Oak Glen Divide Trail 1W08
- Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Whitewater to Onyx Peak
- Ponderosa Vista Nature Trail 1E19
- Poopout Hill Trail 1E21
- Raywood Flat Trail 2E07.2
- Rio Monte Trail 1E28
- San Bernardino Peak Trail 1W07
- San Gorgonio Mountain Trail 1E02
- Sand to Snow National Monument
- Santa Ana River Trail 2E03
- Sky High Trail 1W07.3
- South Fork Trail 1E04
- The Sink Trail 2E09.1
- Tunnel Trail 2E08
- Vivian Creek Trail 1E08
- Whispering Pines Trail 1E33
- Wildhorse Creek Trail 2E02
- Wilshire Peak Trail 1E10
- Wilson Creek Trail 1W20
- Big Bear Lake Recreation Area
- Alpine Pedal Path Trail 1E50
- Bluff Mesa Trail 1W16
- Castle Rock Trail 1W03
- Champion Lodgepole Trail 1W11
- Cougar Crest Trail 1E22
- Glory Ridge Trail 1W02
- Gold Fever Interpretive Site
- Grays Peak Trail 1W06
- Hanna Flat Trail 1W05
- Hawes Ranch Trail 2W14
- Holcomb Crossing Trail 2W08 (east)
- Muddy Springs Trail 2W02
- Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Onyx Peak to Holcomb Ck
- Pineknot Trail 1E01
- Seven Oaks Trail 0E01
- Siberia Creek Trail 1W04
- Sugarloaf National Recreation Trail 2E18
- Woodland Trail 1E23
- Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
- Camp Creek National Recreation Trail 1W09
- Deep Creek Hot Springs
- Dogwood Trail 3W04
- Enchanted Loop Trail 3W18
- Exploration Trail 2W09X
- Fisherman's Camp / Crab Creek Trail 2W07
- Hawes Peak Trail 2W08/2W14 (west)
- Heaps Peak Arboretum Day Use Area
- Heaps Peak Arboretum Trail 3W05
- Heart Rock / Seeley Creek Trail 4W07
- Hot Springs / Goat Trail 3W02
- Little Green Valley Trail 3W10
- Metate / Rock Camp Trail 3W15
- North Shore National Recreation Trail/Little Bear
- Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Holcomb Ck to Silverwood
- Pinnacles Trail 3W16
- Splinters Cabin Day Use Area
- Trail of the Phoenix 2W09
- Tunnel 2 Trail 3W19
- Lytle Creek - Cajon Pass Recreation Area
- Chaparral Neighborhood Trail 6W03
- Cucamonga Peak Trail (7W04)
- Middle Fork Trail 6W01
- Mormon Rocks Interpretive Trail 6W04
- Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Silverwood to Wrightwood
- San Jacinto - Santa Rosa Mountains Recreation Area
- Black Mountain Trail 2E35
- Cahuilla Mountain Trail 2E45
- Cedar Springs Trail 4EI7
- Climbers Trail 3E06 to Suicide Rock
- Deer Springs Trail to Suicide Rock 3E17 to 3E33
- Devils Slide Trail 3E05
- Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 3E07
- Fobes Trail 4E04
- Humber Park Trailhead Parking
- Marion Mountain Trail 2E14
- Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Garner Valley to I-10
- Ramona Trail 3E26
- Seven Pines Trail 2E13
- South Fork Trail 2E17 (San Jacinto District)
- South Ridge Trail (3E08)
- Spitler Peak Trail 3E22
- Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout
- Thomas Mountain Bike Trail 3E27
- Webster Trail 2E16
- Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mtns. National Monument
- Art Smith Trail
- Bear Creek Oasis Trail
- Boo Hoff Trail
- Bump and Grind Trail
- Cactus Spring Trail 5E01
- Carumba Trail 3E04
- Cedar (Laws) Trail 3E16
- Clara Burgess Trail
- Fuller Ridge Trail
- Garstin Trail
- Hopalong Cassidy Trail
- La Quinta Cove to Lake Cahuilla Trail
- Little Tahquitz Valley Trail 3E41
- Live Oak Springs Trail 4E03
- Long Valley Loop Trail
- Martinez Canyon Trail
- Museum Trail
- North Lykken Trail
- Palm Canyon Creek - National Wild & Scenic River
- Palm Canyon Trail 4E01
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Pinyon Trail 5E03
- Randall Henderson Trail
- Sawmill Trail 5E02
- Skunk Cabbage Trail 3E42
- South Lykken Trail
- Tramway to San Jacinto Peak
- Wild Horse Trail
- Willow Creek Trail 3E02
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.
