You can enjoy wildlife watching in the San Bernardino National Forest any time of the year. Early morning and early evening are usually the best times to catch a glimpse of birds and mammals, especially on hot summer days. Watch for lizards and snakes during the heat of the day. Hawks can be seen almost anytime.
The listing below includes some convenient roadside pull-offs and short trails where you are most likely to see animals. Most are good for viewing year round, though in the higher elevations winter snow can hamper viewing of some species. CLICK HERE FOR THE HABITAT CHART
CAJON
Mountain Top | Heaps Peak Arboretum | Big Bear Lake
SAN GORGONIO
Santa Ana River | Thurman Flats
SAN JACINTO
Indian Vista | Lake Fulmor | Alandale Fire Station | Lake Hemet
Indian Vista
This scenic viewpoint is on Highway 243, 9.5 miles northwest of Idyllwild. Watch for songbirds in the chaparral and oak trees and red-tailed hawks and ravens soaring
above. In the warmer months a variety of lizards sun themselves on the rocks.
If you are lucky (and patient) you may see deer, bobcat, gray fox, and coyote. |