North Shore Trailhead (Hospital Rd)
Two trails, one relaxed trailhead. Park near the North Shore Campground entrance on Hospital Road (off Hwy 173, by Mountains Community Hospital) with an Adventure Pass displayed. Space is limited but rarely full — this serves both the North Shore Recreation Trail (4 mi RT, moderate) and the Little Bear Creek Trail (~3.7 mi, easy, very dog-friendly).
The facts
- Trail served
- North Shore Recreation Trail (4 mi RT) + Little Bear Creek Trail (~3.7 mi)
- Cost / pass
- Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/yr) or Interagency pass
- Lot size
- Small trailhead area by the campground entrance
- When it fills
- Rarely — one of the area's low-stress trailheads
- Overflow option
- Rarely needed
- Tow / citation risk
- Low; respect campground and hospital areas
- Restrooms
- In the campground (seasonal)
- Road to the lot
- Paved: Hwy 173 to Hospital Rd
- Busy season
- Spring–fall
Getting there
North Shore Campground, Hospital Rd off Hwy 173, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
Get directions →The easy double
This is the trailhead where parking is not the story: a small area near the North Shore Campground entrance on Hospital Road that has space on all but the busiest days. Display an Adventure Pass and pick your trail — the North Shore Recreation Trail descends into shady forest for a moderate 4-mile round trip, while Little Bear Creek Trail is the area's default bring-the-dog, bring-the-kids walk. Campground restrooms operate in season.
Full trail write-ups live on our sister site: North Shore Recreation Trail and Little Bear Creek Trail.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the North Shore trailhead?
By the North Shore Campground entrance on Hospital Road, off Highway 173 near Mountains Community Hospital in Lake Arrowhead. Both the North Shore Recreation Trail and Little Bear Creek Trail start here.
Does the North Shore trailhead fill up?
Rarely — it's one of the few Arrowhead-area trailheads where parking is not the hard part. An Adventure Pass is still required.
Facts on this page last verified July 18, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.