Arrowhead Adjacent

North Shore Campground in the San Bernardino Mountains

Sometimes a little forest bathing (aka a healthy dose of the outdoors) is all you need to feel right with the world. Breathe in the mountain air from North Shore Campground, located in the San Bernardino Mountains, three miles from Lake Arrowhead Village and even closer to the lakeshore. The 28 sites are surrounded by large, aromatic pines and incense cedars. Most can be reserved in advance but six of them are first-come, first-served, for those impromptu mountain getaways. Point your arrowhead toward this campground.

HIKE BONUS: Set out from the campground on Little Bear Creek Trail (pictured). The 3.8-mile (round-trip) singletrack descends 675 feet to Little Bear Creek. The hike starts with broad canyon views. You'll pass downed logs and snags that were singed by wildfire in 2003, along with plenty of encouraging new growth. At the bottom of the trail look for western columbine blooming along Little Bear Creek. Six sites are first-come, first-served, 22 sites can be reserved. Take CA-173 to the east side of Lake Arrowhead. Turn east on Hospital Rd. and make an immediate left into the campground. Sites are $22 per night. Little Bear Creek Trail (also labeled as North Shore Trail, 3W12, and North Shore National Recreation Trail) begins from a trailhead sign on the outside of a loop at the east end of the campground. Hike 1.9 miles down to Hook Creek Rd., just past a crossing of Little Bear Creek and turn around. The campground and trail are dog-friendly! 

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View