San Bernardino Peak Trailhead (Angelus Oaks)
Two things, and one of them you book in advance. Parking at the San Bernardino Peak Trailhead (Trail 1W07) off Highway 38 in Angelus Oaks needs an Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful pass on the dash. To hike, you also need a free San Gorgonio Wilderness permit — but unlike the self-issue San Jacinto permits, this one is reserved online in advance through the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association, and a quota applies, so popular dates fill up. The final stretch is a rough dirt road (1W07) best suited to higher-clearance vehicles, ending at a small ~20-car lot.
The facts
- Trail served
- San Bernardino Peak Trail 1W07 — ~15 mi round trip, ~4,700 ft gain to a 10,649 ft summit; a very long day hike or a weekend backpack, group size limited to 12
- Cost / pass
- Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful pass required to park ($5/day or $30/year); free San Gorgonio Wilderness permit required to hike, reserved in advance online (quota in effect)
- Lot size
- Small dirt lot at the trailhead — about 20 vehicles — at the end of Forest Road 1W07
- When it fills
- The permit quota caps use more than the lot does, but on a released-permit weekend the small lot can still fill early
- Overflow option
- Limited roadside space along the frontage road/1W07; don't block the narrow dirt road or turnaround
- Tow / citation risk
- Low out here; the real risk is hiking without the reserved permit, which is checked in the wilderness
- Restrooms
- None at the trailhead; use facilities in Angelus Oaks before you drive up
- Road to the lot
- From Angelus Oaks turn east off Hwy 38 onto Manzanita, then the frontage road, then Forest Road 1W07 — a dirt road where higher clearance is recommended for the final stretch
- Busy season
- Late spring through fall; snow lingers up high into early summer, and the exposed upper trail bakes midsummer — carry plenty of water, there is none reliable en route
Getting there
San Bernardino Peak Trailhead, Forest Rd 1W07 off Hwy 38, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
Get directions →The permit is the part people miss — reserve it in advance
San Bernardino Peak sits inside the San Gorgonio Wilderness, and a free wilderness permit is required for day hikes and overnight trips. Unlike the Idyllwild-area trailheads, this permit is not a self-issue form at the trailhead. You reserve it online in advance through the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (sgwa.org), and a quota is in effect, so popular weekends can sell out of free permits well ahead of time. Group size is capped at 12. Book early, print or save your permit, and carry it — rangers check in the wilderness.
Parking: Adventure Pass, and a rough road in
The parking itself needs an Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year) or an America the Beautiful pass on the dash — buy it ahead of time, since local vendors near Angelus Oaks can run out. Getting to the lot means turning off Highway 38 onto Manzanita, then the frontage road, then Forest Road 1W07, a dirt road where a higher-clearance vehicle helps on the final stretch. The lot is small — around 20 vehicles — with no restroom, so plan accordingly.
A serious hike — plan the day
San Bernardino Peak is strenuous: roughly 15 miles round trip with about 4,700 feet of gain to the 10,649 ft peak. It works as a very long day hike or an overnight backpack (the permit covers both). Its commitment is similar to the Vivian Creek route up San Gorgonio — long, exposed, and water-scarce up high. Start early, carry more water than you think, and check conditions for lingering snow into early summer.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit to hike San Bernardino Peak?
Yes — a free San Gorgonio Wilderness permit is required for both day hikes and overnight trips. Unlike the self-issue San Jacinto permits, you must reserve it online in advance through the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association, and a quota applies, so popular dates can fill up.
Do you need an Adventure Pass at the San Bernardino Peak trailhead?
Yes. An Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year) or an America the Beautiful interagency pass is required to park at the trailhead, in addition to the free reserved wilderness permit needed to hike.
Can any car reach the San Bernardino Peak trailhead?
The final approach is Forest Road 1W07, a dirt road where a higher-clearance vehicle is recommended for the last stretch. Many cars make it in dry conditions, but low-clearance vehicles should go slowly or park lower and walk.
How hard is the San Bernardino Peak hike?
It's strenuous — about 15 miles round trip with roughly 4,700 feet of gain to a 10,649 ft summit. It makes a very long day hike or a weekend backpacking trip, with group size limited to 12.
Facts on this page last verified August 2, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.