The deeply weathered summit of Mount San Jacinto stands
10,834 feet above sea level, and is the second highest mountain range in
Southern California. No more than a two hour drive from either Los Angeles or
San Diego, the mountain's magnificent granite peaks, subalpine forests, and
fern-bordered mountain meadows offer a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy a
scenic, high-country wilderness area. The park offers two drive-in campgrounds
near the town of Idyllwild. Most of the park is a designated wilderness area
enjoyed by hikers and backpackers.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Starting in Chino Canyon near Palm Springs, the tram takes passengers from
Valley Station at 2,643 feet elevation to Mountain Station on the edge of the
wilderness, elevation 8,516 feet. The Mountain Station features a restaurant,
gift shop, snack bar, and the state park visitor center. In Long Valley, a short
walk from the station, you will find the Long Valley Ranger Station, a picnic
area with barbecue stoves and restrooms, a ski center, a self-guiding nature
trail, and Desert View Trail which offers panoramas of the high country
including several peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation. You can also enter the
hiking trail system from this point. The tram operates year-round, except for a
maintenance closure in August.
Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is the jewel in the crown of America’s scenic trails,
spanning 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through three western states. The
trail passes through five California State Parks: Castle Crags and
McArthur-Burney Falls in Northern California; and Silverwood Lake, Anza Borrego
Desert and Mt San Jacinto in Southern California.
Location-Directions
From Riverside, take Interstate 10 East to Hwy 243 South to the park. From San
Diego, take Interstate 15 North to 215 North, exit Hwy 74 east to Hwy 243 north
to the park.
Wilderness Permit Information
Mount San Jacinto is located at a high altitude where the growing season is
short. Plant life has little opportunity to recover from overuse from one season
to the next, and unless we take the steps to protect these areas they could be
lost to us forever.
To insure the preservation of the natural environment and assure the visitor of
a quality visitor experience, the Department of Parks and Recreation has
instituted a Wilderness Permit system; everyone entering the wilderness area for
the day or for camping must have a permit in their possession. Day use
wilderness permits are free and are available at the State Park Headquarters in
Idyllwild or at the Long Valley Ranger Station. Applications for overnight
permits will be accepted up to 56 days (8 weeks) in advance; if you apply by
mail, send your request in at least 10 days in advance. Sorry, no telephone or
FAX requests can be accepted.
Groups must be limited to 15 people, and juvenile groups must have at least one
adult leader for each 14 juveniles. Dogs are not permitted in wilderness areas
of the State Park System.
For groups camping, access is limited to prevent overuse and provide everyone an
opportunity for solitude. Carrying capacities have been established for the
wilderness area campgrounds. These campgrounds are Round Valley, Tamarack
Valley, Little Round Valley, and Strawberry Junction. On summer weekends these
campgrounds fill to capacity four or more weeks in advance. It is essential that
campers plan ahead to avoid being turned away on these weekends.
The United States Forest Service has a similar permit system in effect for
wilderness areas in national forests; these permits are issued at U.S.F.S.
Headquarters, P.O. Box 518, Idyllwild, California 92549. The U.S.F.S. phone
number is: (951) 659-2117. Telephone:
951-659-2607
Wilderness Camping Permit Application
Wilderness Permit Information
951-659-2607
Operating Hours:
dawn ‘til dusk
Address:
PO Box 308
25905 Highway 243
Idyllwild, CA 92549 |
