Joshua Tree

Viewed from the road, this desert park only hints at its vitality. Closer examination reveals a fascinating variety of plants and animals that make their home in this land shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain, and climatic extremes. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the attraction of this place. Come see for yourself!

Wildflower season usually begins with the large, cream-colored blooms of the Joshua trees in late February, followed by colorful annuals at the lower elevations around the south boundary of the park. Sometime in March, the bloom will follow rising temperatures into the higher elevations of the park. Cacti usually wait until April or May to produce their bright, waxy flowers.

Spring is an excellent season for birding in Joshua Tree. In addition to year-round residents, spring brings an influx of transients and summer nesting species. A birding check-list is available at visitor centers.

Mojave National Preserve

Singing sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests, and carpets of wildflowers are all found at this 1.6 million acre park. A visit to its canyons, mountains and mesas will reveal long-abandoned mines, homesteads, and rock-walled military outposts. Located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Mojave provides serenity and solitude from the crowds of major metropolitan areas.

The resources available within Mojave National Preserve are enough to keep the most dedicated desert explorer busy for years. Whether you interests are hiking, hunting, camping or just driving and looking at beautiful scenery you will find it here.

Running Springs

Our mountain community is located 6,000 feet above sea level in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains.

Running Springs is only ninety minutes east of Los Angeles or three hours north of San Diego. We are centrally located between Snow Valley Ski Resort and Lake Arrowhead, and 17 miles west of Big Bear Lake.

The Running Springs area offers activities year round including skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, hiking, fishing, off road driving, horseback riding, shopping, restaurants and other mountain activities.

Lake Arrowhead

If you wish to experience Mother Nature, The Lake Arrowhead Communities are for you. There are countless ways to enjoy the fresh air, pristine forests, and natural wonders located in this one-of-a-kind location in Southern California.

There are many camps and campgrounds in the area with the Lake Arrowhead Communities being the base for recreation activity in the San Bernardino National Forest. There are numerous hiking trails in the area with the Pacific Crest Trail passing within a few miles of the Lake Arrowhead Communities. There are also three picnic areas with BBQs, restrooms, and spectacular views of the valley below.

Lytle Creek

Lytle Creek offers a truly wild outdoor experience within a few minutes drive of one of the nation's largest urban areas. Although much of the upper Lytle Creek watershed was protected by designation of the Cucamonga Wilderness in 1964 and 1984, the lower portion of the Middle Fork canyon and most of the South Fork remain unprotected. The Forest Service considers both the Middle and the South Forks to be eligible for National Wild & Scenic Rivers status in recognition of their outstanding scenic, fish and wildlife values.

The Middle Fork offers a popular access trail to the Cucamonga Wilderness. As you hike up the canyon, the ubiquitous chaparral quickly gives way to steep slopes clothed in big cone Douglas fir and incense cedar. Streamside sycamores, maple, and willow offer a scenic display of Autumn color and shade tranquil camp sites. As they hike up-canyon, hikers and backpackers can enjoy the creek's numerous cascades and waterfalls on their way to the rocky precipice of Cucamonga Peak.