Location: Idyllwild
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The 7 Best Nature & Parks in Idyllwild, California (CA)
A small town in the heart of the San Jacinto Mountains, Idyllwild is the perfect escape from Southern California traffic and the bustle of modern life. The big draw is San Jacinto National Park, where you can explore more than 50 trails. Rent bikes in town for a leisurely ride on a flat trail, or if you prefer, choose more rugged terrain. Rock climbers can scale Tahquitz rock. For those less experienced, sign up for rock-climbing school or try bouldering on the smaller rocks. A hike through many of the forest trails will take you by mountain streams and lead you to peaks with views of the Coachella Valley below and, on clearer days, the Salton Sea hundreds of miles away. Idyllwild is small enough that wherever you stay, you’ll be close to nature. Head to town to browse local shops and restaurants.
Restaurants in Idyllwild
1. Eastside Reservoir Project
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
A giant recently built dam.
2. Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 190 reviews
This 13,000-acre park offers over 50 miles of trails in the mountains soaring above the Sonora desert.
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
I enjoyed the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness. The mountains were amazing! It was beautiful! Rocks and mountains. We even found a lake. The road was great as well. A must see!
3. Idyllwild Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By MamaMia796 - Rancho Cucamonga, United States
Inside the Nature Center there are great exhibits, birds, animals, and books, rocks, and souvenirs to buy. Animals are stuffed and are up close. Young children love looking at the animals, and so do I. Easy 1/2 mile pleasant hiking and picnicking. Make this a stop on your trip to Idyllwild.
4. Indian Vista Scenic Overlook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Barberion - Atlanta, United States
This scenic vista has a nice parking area and paved walkways. The views are spectacular in all directions. It is on the Idyllwild-Banner scenic byway, about 9 miles from Idyllwild. The trip to the viewpoint from Idyllwild is beautiful and still open (the road to Banner is closed just past the viewpoint for road repair). Well worth the trip. An added bonus: very few people. Since the road is closed there is no through traffic. We had the place to ourselves on a Friday afternoon.
5. Idyllwild Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By mercedcampgirl - Orange, United States
We booked four campsites in July, 2019, for our large family. The campground surpassed our expectations! We did have to take an alternative route in due to the washed out 243 North from Banning. As we came in from the south, we passed miles and miles of charred tree stumps and blackened ground due to the arson-caused Cranston Fire. But the campground, which had been evacuated during the fire, escaped harm thanks to the awesome firefighters (according to the campground host). It is a clean, well-maintained campground thanks to the camp hosts who are attentive to its care. Our campsites, 47, 48, 49 and 50, were roomy and right next to Strawberry Creek, which is pretty skimpy in summer but enough to get the kids' feet wet. They enjoyed climbing on the boulders there, too. There are lots of trees at these sites so the shade is ample, even in summer. The asphalt campground roads were happily used by the kids on their razor scooters. Each site has parking for two cars, a firepit and a picnic table. (No bear boxes to deal with...yay!) We were able to create a community dining area by moving a couple of tables together and putting a canopy over them. Be SURE to put your tables back if you do this, or the hosts will have to chain them down like they are in many campgrounds. For non-cooking meals, a quick drive to the village and the Idyllwild Pizza Company offers yummy food! There was a handy water spigot in site 48 or 49. Our sites were in between two restrooms. Toilet flushing was a challenge and one stall was out of order the whole 3 days we were there. But soap was provided (nice!) and one restroom had a couple of showers attached (one was inoperative), $1.00 for six minutes, quarters only. There are nearby hikes to choose from. A quick walk next to the campground is okay for little legs. We took our kids on the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail (had to drive to it), and they were only good for a couple of miles. Others in our group hiked the 9 mile round trip Suicide Rock Trail (also had to drive to it). One day, everyone drove 15 minutes away to play at Lake Hemet. It's pricey, but everyone had fun. I met the camp host and his co-worker, and they are SO nice and helpful with information. Camping at this park is highly recommended!
6. Lake Fulmor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By kathleenmC2396WZ
I love Lake Fulmor. I've been there during several different seasons and it's always beautiful. It is a popular place so if you go on a weekend expect to share your experience with other photographers, picnicers, and fishermen. Walking around the lake is free but you need to purchase a permit to park your car across the street. Permits aren't available at the site but can be bought at a few places ten miles up the mountain. Lake Fulmor is a definite must see. I always leave feeling refreshed. Don't miss it!
7. Deer Springs Trailhead
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
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