Running Springs: Mountain Community, Hiking Trails, and Winter Destinations

Running Springs is a mountain community in the San Bernardino Mountains. The community is centrally located between Snow Valley Ski Resort and Lake Arrowhead; State Routes 18 and 330 intersect in town. Snow Valley Mountain Resort is located on State Route 18 above Running Springs. Rim Nordic is on Highway 18, five miles east of Running Springs, in the San Bernardino National Forest and opposite Snow Valley Mountain Resort.

Winter Activities

Snow Valley Mountain Resort has been in continuous operation since 1924. Its offerings include lift-assisted sledding. Sledding is seasonal; check before your trip to see whether it is available during your travel dates. This lets you plan your schedule around this activity.

Rim Nordic offers more than 10 miles of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The groomed trail system includes tracks for classic cross-country skiing and lanes for skating technique. If you are planning to cross-country ski, you can choose between these two techniques; snowshoeing is another activity on offer. Cross-country skis and snowshoe equipment are available to rent on site. The availability of the trail system depends on snow conditions. Before your trip, also check the rental details if you plan to use this equipment.

The two winter destinations differ in the activities they offer: Snow Valley has lift-assisted sledding, while Rim Nordic has trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Planning conditions also differ: sledding is offered seasonally, while trail availability depends on snow conditions.

Hiking in Running Springs

The Pacific Crest Trail passes through Running Springs. The Children’s Exploration Trail is an easy, half-mile-long hiking trail for families. Its length and difficulty rating provide a clear guide if you are looking for a short family hike. Coyote Rock Trail, Siberia Creek Trail, and Little Green Valley Trail are popular hiking routes in Running Springs. Those interested in climbing can reach a viewpoint via the Keller Peak Trail. The named trails thus offer different options: the Children’s Exploration Trail for an easy family hike, popular hiking routes, and a trail to a viewpoint. Check current trail conditions before hiking; for the Pacific Crest Trail, you should also check for possible closures.

When choosing your travel dates, it is therefore helpful to first decide what you want to focus on. For a winter stay, you can distinguish between sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing; for a hike, the specific route and its current conditions are the main considerations. The location and trail information can help you distinguish between destinations as you plan, without combining the different activities into a single offering.

Discover more destinations: Parker Dam, Loma Linda, Wrightwood, Rialto, Pioneertown, Montclair, Twentynine Palms, Apple Valley

For the broader travel overview: San Bernardino.