Arrowhead Adjacent

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!