South Ridge Trailhead (Tahquitz Peak, Idyllwild)
Two documents and a rough road. The South Ridge Trailhead to Tahquitz Peak needs a National Forest Adventure Pass (or America the Beautiful pass) to park, plus a free self-issue wilderness permit to hike into the San Jacinto Wilderness. The trailhead is at the end of Forest Road 5S11, a steep unpaved road off Tahquitz View Drive that washes out — many cars park lower near Tahquitz View Drive and walk the last 1–2 miles round trip. It's the quieter, drier alternative to the Devil's Slide route from Humber Park.
The facts
- Trail served
- South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak and its fire lookout — roughly 6.5–7 mi round trip from the upper trailhead (more if you park low), strenuous; a quieter alternative to Devil's Slide
- Cost / pass
- Adventure Pass required to park ($5/day or $30/year, or an America the Beautiful pass); free self-issue day-use wilderness permit required to hike ($5/person only for overnight)
- Lot size
- Small dirt clearing at the upper trailhead; limited roadside space lower down near Tahquitz View Drive when the road is too rough
- When it fills
- Small and remote — the bigger limiter is road condition and the summer weekend permit quota, not a full lot
- Overflow option
- Park lower along Tahquitz View Drive / Forest Road 5S11 and walk up; Humber Park (Devil's Slide) is the busier alternate start
- Tow / citation risk
- Low out here; don't block the narrow forest road, turnarounds, or private driveways near Tahquitz View Drive
- Restrooms
- None at the trailhead; use facilities in Idyllwild before you drive up
- Road to the lot
- Forest Road 5S11 off Tahquitz View Drive is a steep, unpaved dirt road that can wash out — high-clearance or 4WD is recommended for the final stretch; if it's too rough or gated, park lower and add ~1–2 mi round trip on foot
- Busy season
- Late spring through fall; the south-facing ridge dries out earlier than Devil's Slide but bakes in midsummer — carry water, there's none up top
Getting there
South Ridge Trailhead, Forest Road 5S11 off Tahquitz View Dr, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549
Get directions →The paperwork: Adventure Pass to park, free permit to hike
Like most Idyllwild-area forest trailheads, South Ridge needs two separate things. To park, display a National Forest Adventure Pass — $5/day or $30/year — or an America the Beautiful interagency pass. To hike into the San Jacinto Wilderness, you also need a free self-issue day-use wilderness permit. Get the permit 24/7 from the rack outside the San Jacinto Ranger Station, 54270 Pine Crest Ave, Idyllwild, (909) 382-2921; fill out the carbon-copy form and carry your copy on the trail. Overnight trips cost $5 per person and are more limited. Note the pass is a parking pass and the permit is a hiking permit — you need both.
The real gatekeeper: Forest Road 5S11
The thing that actually decides your day here is the road. Forest Road 5S11, off Tahquitz View Drive, is a steep, unpaved dirt road that washes out; high-clearance or 4WD is recommended for the final rough stretch to the upper trailhead. If your car isn't up to it — or the road is gated or storm-damaged — park lower near Tahquitz View Drive and walk the remaining 1–2 miles round trip to the trailhead. Plenty of hikers do exactly this. Don't block the narrow road, turnarounds, or private driveways when you park low.
South Ridge vs. Devil's Slide (Humber Park)
Tahquitz Peak has two classic approaches. South Ridge is the quieter, drier, south-facing route that starts higher — but its payoff comes with that rough access road. The Devil's Slide Trail from Humber Park is the busier, better-maintained start with easier (paved) parking, though it's subject to a summer weekend permit quota that South Ridge largely avoids. If the 5S11 road is in bad shape, or you want a maintained trail, use Humber Park; if you want solitude and the road is dry, South Ridge is the pick. Both need the same Adventure Pass and free wilderness permit.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need an Adventure Pass at the South Ridge Trailhead?
Yes — an Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year) or an America the Beautiful pass is required to park at the South Ridge Trailhead. You also need a separate free wilderness permit to hike into the San Jacinto Wilderness.
Where do I get the wilderness permit for Tahquitz Peak?
It's free and self-issued. Pick one up 24/7 from the rack outside the San Jacinto Ranger Station, 54270 Pine Crest Ave, Idyllwild, (909) 382-2921. Fill out the carbon-copy form and carry your copy. Overnight trips are $5 per person.
Can you drive all the way to the South Ridge Trailhead?
Sometimes. Forest Road 5S11 is a steep, unpaved road that can wash out; high-clearance or 4WD is recommended for the final stretch. If it's too rough or gated, park lower near Tahquitz View Drive and walk the last 1–2 miles round trip.
Is South Ridge or Devil's Slide better for Tahquitz Peak?
South Ridge is quieter and drier but has a rough access road and starts higher; Devil's Slide from Humber Park has easier paved parking but a summer weekend permit quota. Both require an Adventure Pass and a free wilderness permit.
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.