Forest Falls is a small mountain community nestled beneath the high peaks of the San Bernardino Mountains and surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest. Travelers generally reach it by turning from State Route 38 onto Valley of the Falls Drive, a paved mountain road that ends near the Falls Picnic Area; because public transit does not serve the community, visiting by car is the practical option (County of San Bernardino, 2020). A popular activity is the short walk to the Big Falls overlook, where visitors can view one of Southern California’s tallest waterfalls, although they should avoid crossing the wash during high water or thunderstorms and should not continue beyond the overlook because of steep, loose, and slippery terrain (County of San Bernardino, 2025). Visitors can also picnic beneath pines and cedars, photograph Falls Creek, watch birds, or undertake the much more strenuous Vivian Creek Trail into the San Gorgonio Wilderness; wilderness permits are required for wilderness travel, and an Adventure Pass may be required at developed recreation sites (U.S. Forest Service, 2022). Checking current road, weather, fire, and forest-closure notices before departure is especially important in this mountain environment.
Forest Falls is biologically interesting because its dramatic elevation gradient supports several plant communities: lower slopes contain coastal sage scrub, mixed chaparral, bigcone Douglas-fir, canyon live oak, and Coulter pine, while higher country supports Jeffrey, ponderosa, sugar, and knobcone pines, white fir, and black oak (U.S. Forest Service, 2005). These forests, rocky slopes, and stream corridors provide habitat for songbirds, western gray squirrels, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, reptiles, and numerous smaller animals; the wider national forest also protects rare and sensitive species associated with specialized mountain, meadow, and aquatic habitats (U.S. Forest Service, 2022). Wildlife is usually easiest to observe quietly during the morning or evening, but animals should never be approached or fed; visitors should keep pets controlled, secure food and trash, remain on established trails, and use binoculars or a telephoto lens for safe viewing (U.S. Forest Service, 2022).
References:
County of San Bernardino. (2020). Mountain region community action guide: Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls.
County of San Bernardino. (2025, April 17). San Bernardino County destinations: Big Falls Trail.
U.S. Forest Service. (2005). Land management plan, Part 2: San Bernardino National Forest strategy.
U.S. Forest Service. (2022). San Bernardino National Forest visitor guide
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