Sand to Snow National Monument
The Sand to Snow National Monument, located east of Los Angeles in Southern California, spans 154,000 acres of remarkably diverse terrain, from the Sonoran Desert floor to the alpine peaks of the San Gorgonio Wilderness.
Declared a national monument in 2016, it boasts an extraordinary range of ecosystems, rich cultural history, and recreational opportunities. It protects diverse montane and desert habitats of the San Bernardino Mountains, southern Mojave Desert, and northwestern Colorado Desert.
Visitors can hike portions of the Pacific Crest Trail, explore sacred Indigenous sites, or challenge themselves with high-altitude adventures in one of the most biodiverse regions in Southern California.
Destination Details
| Season | Year-round, best in cooler months (October to April) |
| Location | Southern California, east of Los Angeles |
| General GPS Coordinates | 34.044661, -116.773943 |
| Management | U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) |
| Size | 154,000 acres |
| Nearest Major City | Palm Springs, CA |
| Key Activities | Hiking, camping, backpacking, bird watching, stargazing, horseback riding |
| Notable Trails | Pacific Crest Trail |
| Restrictions | No motorized vehicles or bicycles in wilderness areas |
| Map | Download Here |
Getting to Sand to Snow National Monument
The sandy part of Sand to Snow National Monument is accessible at the Whitewater Canyon Preserve area within the monument – the turnoff for Whitewater Canyon is five miles west of Palm Springs on Interstate 10.Take Whitewater Canyon Road five miles north to the trailhead.
To visit the snowy parts go to Forest Falls and a short hike on the Vivian Creek Trail. To reach the trailhead, continue west on I-10; take the exit to Yucaipa and follow State Highway 38 north, then east to Forest Falls.
Destination Overview
Sand to Snow National Monument is a haven for biodiversity, encompassing lowland desert, riparian forests, alpine woodlands, and towering peaks. The monument is home to over 240 bird species and 12 federally listed threatened and endangered species. This diversity makes it a hotspot for wildlife viewing, birding, and ecological research.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the monument offers a variety of activities, including hiking, camping, and cross-country skiing in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. The Pacific Crest Trail weaves through 30 miles of the monument, offering challenging terrain and breathtaking vistas. For those seeking an epic adventure, the Nine Peaks Challenge is a grueling 27-mile trek with 8,300 feet of elevation gain.
San Gorgonio Mountain, the highest peak in Southern California, holds spiritual significance for the Serrano and Cahuilla peoples. The area also features remnants of early Spanish missionary activity, gold prospecting sites, and old ranching infrastructure. Visitors can learn about this history through interpretive trails and ranger-led programs.
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Camping and Stargazing
The monument features several camping options, including developed campgrounds near Forest Falls and dispersed camping areas within designated zones. The lack of urban light pollution makes Sand to Snow a premier destination for stargazing.
Regulations and Safety
Due to its ecological sensitivity, motorized vehicles and bicycles are prohibited in wilderness areas. Visitors should prepare for high desert conditions, including extreme temperature variations, and always carry sufficient water. Campfire permits are required and may be restricted during fire season.
More Information
Sand to Snow National Monument is managed through a partnership between three agencies: the US Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and the National Park Service. Confused yet?
To access information about Sand to Snow National Monument, you can contact the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, reachable at (760) 833-7100; you can also reach out to the U.S. Forest Service San Bernardino National Forest at (909) 382-2600.
