Bear Valley Trailhead
The managing agency’s description mentions a closure. Read it below and confirm before you drive out.
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Bear Valley Trailhead
Bear Valley Trailhead When area is closed due to wet weather vehicles less than 53 inches wide can still access the trails. USFS approved Spark Arresters are required year round. Green sticker riding season is year round. Red sticker riding season is October 1 - April 30. (This also applies to OHVs that are registered out of state.) Pets Allowed Yes Fees Federal Recreational Lands Pass/ Adventure Pass Required Hike/Ride Time Full day Difficulty Easy to Moderate Best Seasons Fall, Spring, Winter Location Off I-8 at Pine Valley Road Ranger District Descanso Ranger District - (619) 445-6235 Bear Valley Trailhead is located off of the Pine Valley Rd. exit of I-8 and is one of the closest OHV opportunities in the Greater San Diego Area. Bear Valley Trailhead provides ample parking for larger vehicles with trailers. The trail leaving Bear Valley is an old road bed and provides a small loop in the end with a pretty vista. This trail was designed for beginners but provides a connection to the Corral Canyon OHV Area via Kernan Cycle Trail (Note Corral Canyon OHV area accesible only to vehicles LESS than 53 inches wide) which has a variety of difficulty trails to ride. Available at this location are 2 portable toilets and 1 picnic table. There is no potable water. Passes can be purchased at the local ranger station or at stores in Pine Valley and Lake Morena For a list of more trails to explore in your area, please see our Recreation Trail Guide
Before you go
Fees
Federal Lands Passes such as Adventure Pass Required: To purchase a pass for this location visit a Cleveland National Forest office, find a local Adventure Pass vendor or purchase online at https://www.recreation.gov/ .
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.