Idyllic Lake Fulmor

Relaxing at Lake Fulmor Near Idyllwild

High up in the hills near Idyllwild, quaint and charming Lake Fulmor—not too big, not too small—is just right for relaxing in the cool, quiet shade. It’s not a place to go to be super active. There’s no boating. No swimming. Nothing to distract you from enjoying peace and quiet at this lake nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest.

If you’re looking for a little bit of action, you can stroll the approximately 1-mile loop around the 3-acre lake, maybe pausing on the observation pier to watch ducks play in the water. Much of the shore of Lake Fulmor is lined with picnic tables and grills, but you can also pack a picnic blanket and find a more secluded spot across the lake. Love fishing? The lake is stocked with trout, and you can pull up a chair anywhere you like along the lake shore to toss a line. Watch dragonflies dart around the water and listen to the sounds of Steller’s jays as you enjoy the idyllic scenery that surrounds you.

The lake is just 20 minutes from beautiful little Idyllwild should you need a “city” fix. But sometimes just a day of doing absolutely nothing in the beauty of nature beside a placid lake is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Lake Fulmor is located off CA-243 between Banning and Idyllwild. From the I-10, take Exit 100 onto 8th St. (CA-243), and continue 14.8 miles toward Idyllwild. Lake Fulmor Day Use Area parking lot is on the right, and the lake is directly across the road. Adventure Pass required. Lake Fulmor is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 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. 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
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored

    Savor Summer in Paso Robles

    Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.

    View
  4. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View