Heaps Peak Arboretum
The best easy walk near Lake Arrowhead. A gentle ~1-mile loop (about 90 ft of elevation change) through the largest giant sequoia grove in the San Bernardinos. Open dawn to dusk, every day, free — but you need an Adventure Pass ($5/day) to use the parking lot.
The facts
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Distance
- ~1 mile loop
- Elevation gain
- ~90 ft
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Pass required
- Free to walk; Adventure Pass required for the lot
- Parking
- Paved Forest Service lot right off Hwy 18; rarely full
- Dogs
- Yes, on leash
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Cell coverage
- Good (it's on the highway corridor)
- Best season
- Year-round; dogwood blooms in late spring, snow-walk in winter
Getting there
29358 Rim of the World Hwy (Hwy 18), Skyforest, CA 92385
Get directions →Why it's worth the stop
Halfway between Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs on Highway 18, Heaps Peak Arboretum packs a surprising amount into one easy loop: the Sequoia Trail winds through the largest grove of giant sequoias in the San Bernardino Mountains — planted in the 1930s and now legitimately big — plus labeled native trees, wildflowers, and interpretive signs the whole way. It's flat enough for strollers with decent wheels and for grandparents, and the volunteer-run information booth opens weekends 11am–3pm.
If you have visitors who want 'a hike' but mean 45 minutes, this is the answer. Pair it with Green Valley Lake for an easy half-day east of Arrowhead.
Parking and passes
The paved lot is directly off Highway 18 and rarely fills — a rarity around here. Walking the trail is free, but parking in the Forest Service lot requires an Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/year) or an America the Beautiful pass on the dash. Vault restrooms on site.
Frequently asked questions
Does Heaps Peak Arboretum cost anything?
The trail is free. Parking in the lot requires an Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/year) or an interagency pass. There's no gate or entry booth — it's honor-system signage with ranger enforcement.
When is the arboretum open?
Every day, dawn to dusk, year-round. The volunteer information booth runs weekends 11am–3pm.
Are there really sequoias at Heaps Peak?
Yes — a grove planted in the 1930s that's now the largest stand of giant sequoias in the San Bernardino Mountains. They're young by sequoia standards but already impressive.
Is the trail stroller-friendly?
Mostly. It's a gentle dirt loop with about 90 feet of elevation change — fine for jogging strollers, tight for umbrella strollers after rain or snow.
Facts on this page last verified July 17, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.