San Bernardino highlight
Gateway to San Bernardino National Forest
The San Bernardino National Forest encompasses 680,000 acres across four mountain ranges, with visitor centers providing access to hiking, camping, and alpine recreation year-round.
The San Bernardino National Forest is administered by the United States Forest Service and covers 680,000 acres across four mountain ranges in Southern California, including portions of the Sand to Snow National Monument. The forest extends from the San Gorgonio Wilderness—home to peaks above 11,000 feet—down to foothills and canyons near populated areas. Visitors access the forest through several entry points, with the Mill Creek Visitor Center near Mentone serving as a primary gateway for those seeking recreation, information, and permits.
The forest offers year-round activities: fishing for rainbow trout in streams, picnicking along water, hiking trails of varying difficulty, and camping from developed campgrounds to backcountry sites. An Adventure Pass ($5 per day or $30 per year) is required for parking at most trailheads and recreation sites. The Barton Flats and Mountaintop Visitor Centers provide summer-season access to higher elevations, while the Front Country Ranger District office at Lytle Creek welcomes visitors planning lower-elevation activities.
Families from San Bernardino might spend weekends at Mill Creek or drive up Highway 38 for a week of mountain camping, creating memories that span years of a child's life. Life insurance ensures that if an unexpected loss would derail that family stability—the mortgage, the regular savings, the simple plans—there is a fixed sum to carry the household forward.