The trails around Lake Arrowhead range from stroller-friendly nature loops to a serious desert canyon descent. Most trailheads in the San Bernardino National Forest require an Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/year) or an America the Beautiful pass — each listing below says whether you need one, whether dogs are allowed, and what parking actually looks like on a summer weekend.
The famous one: ~2 miles round-trip to a heart-shaped rock over a waterfall. Easy hike, brutal parking.
Details, fees & parking →Natural hot pools above a desert creek. A hard hike either way in — $10 via Bowen Ranch or free via Bradford Ridge. Read the safety notes.
Details, fees & parking →The local favorite: 4 miles out-and-back through shady forest from North Shore Campground. Moderate, uncrowded.
Details, fees & parking →An easy ~1-mile loop through a real sequoia grove on Hwy 18. Free to walk, open dawn to dusk, Adventure Pass to park.
Details, fees & parking →The big training hike: ~4.5 miles of climbing toward Keller Peak's fire lookout. Check closure status before going.
Details, fees & parking →Granite spires with desert-to-lake views, 3.5 miles round-trip. Faint trail, real scrambling — bring offline maps.
Details, fees & parking →Easy ~3.7 miles along a seasonal creek from North Shore Campground. Shaded, quiet, and the most dog-friendly trail in the area.
Details, fees & parking →