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The National Children's Forest
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SUMMER HOURS (May 26-September 4) Saturday & Sunday 9:00am – 5:00pm Visitor Center closed September 5-April 2013 Street Address: Mailing Address: Visitor Information Center Children's Forest Volunteer Information School Groups
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The National Children’s Forest is 3,400 acres of forest nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains. The Visitor Information Center is closed for the winter schedule; it will reopen May of 2013 for summer schedule.
This spectacular area boasts some of the most beautiful backcountry in the San Bernardino Mountains, which includes chaparral, yellow pine forest, and lush riparian zones.
The Children’s Forest was created in the wake of the 1970 Bear Fire; the area was replanted with trees bearing the names of children. In 1993, the first trail was established by a work group of children from around the country. This ¾ -mile Interpretive Trail at the top of Keller Peak Road can still be hiked today.
Newly constructed in 2000, the Children’s Forest also boasts one of the most popular hiking trails in the San Bernardino National Forest – the 4.5-mile Exploration Trail.
Along with recreation opportunities, Children’s Forest hosts a Visitor Information Center, an Environmental Education Program, a Youth Leadership Volunteer Program, and an active reforestation program. Children’s Forest is a place where children learn how to become stewards of the land through education and opportunities. Our professional staff naturalists and youth volunteers provide quality programs to visitors, school children, and the forest.
Our Mission
The mission of Children’s Forest is to provide opportunities for children to take a leadership role in forest management by giving them a legitimate voice in caring for our local mountains; and through formal education and volunteer programs, evoke a fascination with nature that engenders a commitment to life-long learning and environmental stewardship.
To learn more about Children’s Forest, please stop by our Visitor Information Center, adjacent to Deerlick Fire Station on highway 18 in Running Springs, 1 mile east of Highway 330. At the visitor center, you can meet our youth volunteers, who will provide you with information on:
- Hiking and Biking Maps
- Camping Information
- Adventure Passes
- Maps of Forest Roads, including
Off-Highway Vehicle Adventures - Educational Tours
- Natural History of the Area
