San Bernardino National ForestEdit
San Bernardino National Forest sits at a hinge between desert and alpine country in Southern California, an expanse of public land managed for multiple uses that touch the lives of millions who live in the Inland Empire and the greater Los Angeles region. Created as part of the federal system that established national forests across the West, it today spans portions of San Bernardino and Riverside counties and covers roughly 824,000 acres (about 1,290 square miles). The forest includes several distinct mountain districts, most notably the San Bernardino and San Jacinto ranges, and rises to San Gorgonio Mountain, one of the region’s highest summits. Its boundaries stretch from near the Cajon Pass south to the highlands around Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead, linking watersheds that feed the Santa Ana River and other downstream systems that water millions of people across Southern California. United States Forest Service National Forest System Southern California San Bernardino Mountains San Jacinto Mountains San Gorgonio Mountain Big Bear Lake Lake Arrowhead, California
In broad terms, the forest is a classic example of the multi-use approach that governs much of the federal forest system: it protects watersheds and wildlife habitat, supports outdoor recreation and tourism, and allows for limited resource extraction and grazing under careful supervision. The landscape varies from dry ponderosa pine–strewn mesas to moist canyons and alpine zones, with snow-capped peaks in winter and a climate that shifts from Mediterranean foothills to high-elevation conditions. This mix makes the forest a major contributor to regional water security, air quality, and outdoor recreation, drawing hikers, campers, skiers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts from nearby cities and towns. The forest is also an economic anchor for nearby communities such as Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, and Idyllwild, where public lands intersect with privately owned businesses and homes. Water resources of Southern California Public land in the United States Big Bear Lake Lake Arrowhead, California Idyllwild, California
Geography
Topography and climate - The forest sits at elevations ranging from desert foothills to high alpine peaks. The highest point, San Gorgonio Mountain, reaches above 11,000 feet, creating a dramatic climate gradient within a relatively compact area. Winters bring substantial snow at higher elevations, supporting winter recreation and snowpack that helps recharge regional watersheds; summers can be dry and warm in the foothills, underscoring the forest’s role in protecting headwaters and moderating local climate. San Gorgonio Mountain San Bernardino Mountains San Jacinto Mountains
Ecology and habitats - The landscape hosts a mosaic of conifer forests, oak woodlands, chaparral, and riparian corridors. Species adapted to a range of elevations thrive here, and the forest provides habitat for birds, mammals, and other wildlife that are emblematic of Southern California’s diverse ecology. Conserving habitat for sensitive species and maintaining ecological resilience through management practices is a continual objective of the agency. California condor Bald eagle Endangered species San Jacinto Mountains San Bernardino Mountains
History and governance
Establishment and purpose - The San Bernardino National Forest emerged from an early 20th-century pattern of establishing national forests to protect watersheds, manage timber resources, and preserve recreational opportunities. It has been part of the National Forest System since the period when Congress organized federal forest lands to balance multiple uses: conservation, resource extraction, grazing, and public access. National Forest System United States Forest Service
Management framework and policy - The forest is managed by the United States Forest Service under statutes and policy that emphasize multiple use and sustained yield. In practice, that means thinning and prescribed burning to reduce fuel loads, regulating grazing on designated allotments, and overseeing timber harvests where economically and ecologically appropriate, all within environmental review processes and collaborative stewardship arrangements. The policy framework also includes wilderness designations and protection for watersheds, while seeking to keep rural communities connected to the land through hiking, camping, hunting, and other activities. United States Forest Service Wilderness Act National Forest Management Act Grazing
Recreation and communities - Local economies depend on outdoor recreation opportunities: hiking on well-used trails, camping in developed campgrounds, and seasonal activities such as skiing in the winter months at areas around Big Bear and neighboring communities. The forest borders several towns and resort areas that rely on public access to the land for tourism, which translates into jobs and business for outfitters, retailers, and service providers. Big Bear Lake Lake Arrowhead, California Idyllwild, California
Controversies and debates
Federal land management and local control - A central debate around the forest concerns how much control should rest with federal agencies versus local and state governments, private landowners, and regional stakeholders. Advocates of greater local input argue that decisions should better reflect local economies, land-use patterns, and public safety needs, while supporters of the current federal framework emphasize consistent standards across large landscapes, shared resources, and long-term conservation objectives. The discussion often centers on balancing environmental protections with opportunities for responsible resource use, including timber thinning and habitat management that reduces wildfire risk while sustaining rural livelihoods. Public land in the United States Water resources of Southern California Riverside County, California
Fire, fuel management, and climate considerations - Fire risk has grown in recent decades due to drought, warming trends, and fuel build-up in some areas. Proponents of more aggressive fuel reduction argue for proactive thinning, prescribed fire, and strategic forest management to lower the probability of catastrophic fires that threaten nearby communities and water supplies. Critics of heavy-handed executive action worry about overreach or arbitrary change, emphasizing the importance of predictable rules for land users and locally informed planning. The debate often features arguments about how to integrate ecological goals with the needs of local residents, small business owners, and public land users. Fire management in the United States Ecological restoration
Wilderness designation and development pressures - Designations that restrict development or extractive activities can provoke debate about the proper balance between conservation and access. From a practical standpoint, wilderness or additional protections may limit certain uses but can be framed as preserving ecological integrity and water quality. Critics of expansive restrictions argue that sustainable, well-regulated use provides economic benefits and broader public access, while supporters contend that protecting intact ecosystems at scale is essential for future generations. In any case, these tensions reflect a broader national conversation about how to manage large public lands in a growing and interconnected region. Wilderness Act Public land in the United States
Resource use and sustainability - Timber, grazing, and mineral or energy-related activities exist on a limited, carefully regulated basis within the forest. Proponents argue that controlled harvesting and grazing support forests’ health and rural economies, while ensuring that activities occur in ways that minimize risk to water quality and wildlife. Critics may push for stronger protections or different land-use priorities. The reality in practice is a mosaic of permitted activities, environmental review, and cooperative management that seeks to reconcile multiple legitimate objectives. Grazing Timber Harvest Mineral resources
See also