WELCOME TO

HEAPS PEAK
ARBORETUM

VISITOR ALERT

The National Forest Service has reopened the San Bernardino National Forest. However, the volunteers at Heaps Peak Arboretum are unable to clear the Sequoia Trail, or open the booth in order to sell Adventure Passes. The parking in front of the Arboretum hasn’t been cleared of snow. We hope you will be patient, and postpone your trip to the Arboretum while we dig out of the snow.

 

Caltrans officials urge you to check road conditions often. To help keep abreast of changing conditions, Caltrans operates the Caltrans Highway Information Network which motorists may telephone 800.427.7623 for up-to-the-minute information in California and Western Nevada (Lake Tahoe/Reno Area). The network is updated as conditions change, and is voice-activated for safety and convenience.

Hours & Events

Because of the wildlife in and around the Arboretum, it's potentially unsafe to visit the site and especially to hike the Sequoia Trail after dark. During daylight hours, that's not an issue.

The booth is open from 11 AM - 3 PM Saturdays and Sundays. We accept cash and Visa or Mastercard, but please note that the minimum credit or debit purchase is $10.

We have set a date for our Spring Native Plant Sale: Saturday April 29. Please be aware that the date is dependent on weather conditions.

Enjoy our fall newsletter for even more updates!

Our Spring Newsletter will be out in February.

Adventure Passes

An Adventure Pass or other valid pass (such as America the Beautiful) is required to park in the Arboretum’s lot–whether or not the Information Booth is open. As always, entrance to the Arboretum itself is free.

Paying for an Adventure Pass helps our National Forests. The majority of the fees are used for operating, maintaining and improving recreational opportunities for our visitors.

If our information booth isn’t open, you may purchase an Adventure Pass at:

  • The 7-11 in Lake Arrowhead, CA 
  • The Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce in Lake Arrowhead Village, Lake Arrowhead, CA
  • Lake Drive Hardware in Crestline, CA
  • The 7-11 in Crestline, CA
  • Jensen’s Market, Running Springs, CA
 

Getting Here

We're in San Bernardino National Forest between Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs. The main routes leading to Heaps Peak Arboretum are Highways 18 and 330. (Caltrans highway info: 800.427.7623.)

29358 Rim of the World Hwy. 18
Skyforest, CA 92385
Directions & Parking

Semi-Annual Native Plant Sale

Our next  Native Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Last fall, nearly 200 enthusiasts visited us that morning to take advantage of an excellent native-plant selection and support the Arboretum. Plants are generally priced from $5 to $20, and the proceeds benefit the Arboretum. The date is dependent on weather conditions that day.

Explore the Forest

This family- and dog-friendly trail is nearly one mile long. Descending and then rising gently, it’s an easy hike with numbered signposts along the way. An information-rich trail guide, keyed to those numeric posts, makes your hike even more interesting and educational.

Photo: Anneke Fischle

The Arboretum’s gardens display a wide variety of flowers, shrubs and other plants. Largely native to the San Bernardino Mountains, many of them are identified by easy-to-read signs. The nearby Information Booth offers print and visual aids to help you learn even more!

Find excellent information about our native plants and animals at…
naturemappingfoundation.org
inaturalist.org
calscape.org

On the blog...

CONSERVATION

Through habitat restoration, trail maintenance and other efforts, we’re working to protect and conserve our area’s expanse of the National Forest.

NATIVE PLANTS

Heaps Peak Arboretum has a diverse collection of mostly native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and other plants. Some of them might do well in your garden. Learn more at the Arboretum!

about us

Rim of the World Interpretive Association

Rim of the World Interpretive Association (ROWIA) is a California nonprofit, public-benefit corporation founded in 1982. In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, we maintain and staff Heaps Peak Arboretum. 

We’re committed to protecting and conserving our natural resources for future generations to enjoy.