Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
Yes
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Sand To Snow Monument is a federally protected area in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. It encompasses an area of approximately 154,000 acres and protects habitats ranging from desert to montane in one of the most biologically diverse mountain ranges of its size. 

The Sand to Snow National Monument is jointly managed by the United States Forest Service (San Bernardino National Forest) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

VEGETATION

Sand to Snow National Monument is the most botanically rich national monument in the United States (according to Wildlands Conservancy). This is due to the convergence of three distinct ecosystems that exist within the San Bernardino Mountains. Coastal regions lie to the west, Mojave Desert lies to the east, and Colorado Desert lies to the south. Traveling south to north across an elevation range of 1,000 to more than 11,000 feet, you’ll find desert plants, chaparral, oak woodlands, coniferous forests and alpine vegetation.

THINGS TO DO

Sand to Snow National Monument offers year round recreational opportunities hiking, trail running, wildlife viewing, fishing, backpacking, snow shoeing, and more. There are numerous well-maintained trails including a 25 mile section of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT). 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pacific Crest Trail Association

USFS - Sand to Snow National Monument

BLM - Sand to Snow Monument Info

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Biodiversity. Well maintained trails. Long distance trails.

Cons

There is a highway that cuts through the middle of the wilderness.

Features

Wildlife
Backcountry camping
Big vistas
Wildflowers

Location

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.