Location: Skyforest, CA
Hours: Monday-Sunday (Dawn to Dusk)
Overview
Driving along Hwy 18 (Rim of the World Scenic Byway) leads to some great opportunities to visit multiple places. While most people will zoom by on their way to Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear Lake, there’s a great place to stop and stretch the legs that most never seem to hit. Just past (or before) the SkyPark at Santa’s Village sits the lovely Heaps Peak Arboretum. It’s easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it but it makes for a wonderful pit stop.
Although the park is rather small, it will do a good job of entertaining visitors for an hour or two. A one mile trail, named the Sequoia Trail, will lead hikers around the Arboretum, showing off the vast beauty that this area has to offer. The Heaps Peak Arboretum, coupled with a visit to the Strawberry Peak Lookout, make for great day stops on the way to either Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear Lake.
Trail Description and Scout’s Story
After a few fun filled days in Big Bear Lake, my wife, our daughter, and I made the early morning drive back towards home. Just before we reached The SkyPark at Santa’s Village, something caught my eye. I swore I had seen a sign for a botanical garden. I asked my wife to turn around, and sure enough, there was Heaps Peak Arboretum. I had no idea that this place existed, but the scenery of the surrounding mountains was calling and it felt like the perfect place to get out and stretch our legs.
The trail is very straight forward, and while there is some elevation gain, it is very minimal. I find it best to hike the loop in a counter clockwise direction. The trail starts by skirting around restrooms and heads through a canopy of pine trees.
There are some really nice granite rock structures along the way and the trail is very peaceful and scenic along this stretch.
During this portion of the trail, you are consistently descending at a brief rate. The trail eventually comes to a neat little wooden bridge along the usually dry creek bed of Joe’s Creek.
From here the trail will eventually start to increase in elevation before reaching the last main area of the trail in the Ann Heck Stewart Memorial Sequoia Grove. This grove is not very large but it is still quite impressive.
From here the trail will continue a brief ascent before arriving back at the parking area within one mile of starting. This is a great quick, family friendly trail that makes for a fabulous stop along the drive into Big Bear.
Getting to Heaps Peak Arboretum
29358 Rim of the World Hwy #18, Skyforest, CA 92385
Notes, Questions and Thoughts
Is Heaps Peak Arboretum a fee area?
- Yes, there is a fee to park at the arboretum. There is a self pay station for days passes ($5 a day) or you may display an Adventure Pass or National Park Pass (America the Beautiful) on your dashboard.
Are there restrooms at Heaps Peak Arboretum?
- Yes, restrooms are located a short walk down the paved path.
Are dogs allowed at the Heaps Peak Arboretum?
- Yes, dogs are welcome. However, they must be leashed and kept in control at all times. Please pick up and properly dispose of all animal waste.
Please recreate responsibly. Respect hikers and all visitors and wildlife. Help make everyone’s experience better by keeping the nature experience as authentic as possible. Leave no trace and pack out everything that you pack in. Please remember that we are visitors and stewards of these special places. Help keep these places as wild as possible while not diminishing the outdoor experience of others.
