The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The San Gorgonio Wilderness consists of nearly 96,000 acres of desert and sub-alpine terrain in the San Bernardino Mountains. It’s part of the Sand to Snow National Monument, which is 154,000 acres large. The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management take care of the national monument and the wilderness within. When you’re exploring the peaks, valleys, and streams of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, you’ll have a hard time believing that downtown Los Angeles is less than an hour and a half to the west. One awesome national park within driving distance of the San Gorgonio Wilderness is Joshua Tree National Park, which is just an hour and a half to the east. This desert national park in both the Sonoran Desert and the Mojave Desert is home to plenty of Joshua Trees, cacti, and desert wildlife. If you drive two and a half hours west of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, you’ll reach Ventura, from which you can take a plane or boat to Channel Islands National Park. These islands off the coast of California are full of distinctive flora and fauna, fantastic locations for scuba diving and boating, and excellent places to watch whales and birds.
This challenging but rewarding hike leads to the summit of San Bernardino Peak and stunning views of the wilderness. Length: 16.9 miles Intensity: Hard
This out-and-back trail to San Gorgonio Peak features an elevation gain of nearly 5,500 feet as it takes hikers to the summit of the mountain. Length: 19 miles Intensity: Hard
This beautiful out-and-back hike is full of lovely river views and peaceful forest tranquility. Length: 7.6 miles Intensity: Moderate
If you’re looking for a lengthy backpacking adventure, then this hefty wilderness hike to the top of the mountain may be right for you. Length: 21.3 miles Intensity: Hard
Jenks Lake, the Whitewater River, and the Santa Ana River provide excellent places for fishing and boating. Big Bear Lake is only an hour away, so you could easily visit this popular California lake.
The best rock climbing in this region can be found at Joshua Tree National Park, which is home to thousands of routes and numerous bouldering areas. Climbing routes like White Rastafarian, Slashface, Illusion Dweller, and Bird of Fire await.
When you visit the San Gorgonio Wilderness, you might be able to see predators like mountain lions and bears. Deer and bighorn sheep call this wilderness home, as do numerous species of birds. To see even more wildlife native to this area, you can visit the Whitewater Preserve, which is an hour away.
Picnicking areas are located near the trail heads of the Vivian Creek Trail and Momyer Trail at Falls Picnic Area. You can also picnic at Jenks Lake and Thurman Flats. There are also plenty of gorgeous places within the wilderness where you can sit, eat, and take in the beauty around you.
In the wilderness area itself, though there are no Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, you can camp on the Aspen Grove Trail. There are plenty of other places to camp in the nearby San Bernardino National Forest. One of these is San Gorgonio Family Campground, which is half an hour northeast of the wilderness. It features 54 campsites that contain picnic tables, campfire rings, and bear boxes. Another great nearby location for camping is Barton Flats Campground, which is just two minutes from San Gorgonio Family Campground. This campground contains 51 sites available by reservation; amenities include dump station access, shower facilities, and an on-site place to buy firewood. If you would prefer to camp in a more urban environment, then you may want to consider Banning Stagecoach KOA Journey, which is 45 minutes south of the wilderness area in Banning. Free Wi-Fi and cable, a volleyball sand court, a rec room, and a playground are all present here.
If you want to do some Bureau of Land Management free camping in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, then you can register for a free permit to use one of 24 backcountry campsites in the wilderness area. Many of these are located on Vivian Creek Trail, which many hikers take to the summit of San Gorgonio Peak. You can do some dispersed BLM RV camping in the Sand to Snow National Monument as well as the San Bernardino National Forest.
Spending time in the San Gorgonio Wilderness is a bit different from BLM camping near me. Given the high elevations of the peaks in and near the wilderness, you need to prepare for the possibility of encountering snow and ice on your trek depending on when you go. Many hikers recommend bringing crampons, poles, and similar equipment if you plan to hike to the top of San Gorgonio Peak. Since this is a wilderness area, you need to bring in all the essentials given the lack of most amenities within the park. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Whatever you bring onto BLM land, you need to make sure to take it with you when you leave. The San Gorgonio Wilderness Area is a rugged, wild place that needs to remain as untainted as possible by signs of civilization. Practicing the "Leave No Trace" guidelines is a must here!
If you’re coming from San Bernardino, you can take Exit 80 off Interstate 10 to North University Street, which quickly reaches State Route 38. After turning right on CA-38, you can drive east for 25 minutes to the entrance of the San Gorgonio Wilderness. To reach the wilderness from Big Bear Lake, you can take CA-38 out of Big Bear all the way to the park’s entrance. Those coming from Palm Springs should take Interstate 10 to Exit 89, which empties onto Singleton Street/Bryant Road. This road will T onto CA-38, which goes to the entrance to the wilderness. Address: Angelus Oaks, San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305 Ready to visit San Gorgonio Wilderness? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
