Boulder Basin
14 mi northeast · USDA Forest Service
Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is recommended with a minimum ground clearance of 6 inches. Drive at your own risk.
Outdoors
Hiking near Hemet
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Hemet, closest first.
31places to hike
14 mito the closest
18within 30 miles
November–Maybest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Fern Basin
14 mi east · USDA Forest Service
The picturesque Fern Basin Campground is a perfect escape from a busy lifestyle. It provides peace and quiet in the mountains of southern California as well as access to countless recreational opportunities.
Marion Mountain
14 mi east · USDA Forest Service
The Marion Mountain Campground offers a beautiful retreat in the San Bernardino National Forest. It provides access to a number of hiking trails that lead to some of the most spectacular views of Southern California.
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Within 30 miles (18)
Boulder Basin
Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is recommended with a minimum ground clearance of 6 inches. Drive at your own risk.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
Fern Basin
The picturesque Fern Basin Campground is a perfect escape from a busy lifestyle. It provides peace and quiet in the mountains of southern California as well as access to countless recreational opportunities.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Lookout Tower
- Mountain Biking
Marion Mountain
The Marion Mountain Campground offers a beautiful retreat in the San Bernardino National Forest. It provides access to a number of hiking trails that lead to some of the most spectacular views of Southern California.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
Black Mountain (San Bernardino)
Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. 4 Wheel Drive is recommended. The road is currently a high-priority for maintenance, which should be occuring in June, 2023.
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1200 miles through the homelands of 70+ Tribal communities. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA.
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Beauty Mountain Wilderness
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wilderness
Oak Grove Campground
Located on the Cleveland National Forest, Oak Grove Campground is nestled in a valley of large oak groves and manzanita. Recreation Oak Grove Trail is a short walk of 1.5 miles and is located across Rt. 79, behind the Ranger Station.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
Falcon Group
Falcon Group Campground has three individual group campsites just off the scenic Ortega Highway in Southern California, which connects San Juan Capistrano and Temecula Valley Highway.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Photography
- Scenic Drive
- Star Gazing
- Wilderness
Observatory Campground
Science buffs and families are drawn to Observatory Campground for its proximity to the Palomar Observatory, a world-class center of astronomy research operated by the California Institute of Technology.
- Camping
- Hiking
San Bernardino National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
San Gorgonio Wilderness
This wilderness is part of the eastern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains with topography rapidly changing from low, rolling foothills and canyons to steep, rugged mountains. Elevations range from 2,300 to 5,500 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Coon Creek Group Campground
The Coon Creek Group Campground is located in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California. The unique campground is home to three historic cabins and a stunning view into the Coachella Valley on clear days.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Council
The Council Group Campground is a great place to enjoy a large outdoor gathering with just about everything the San Bernardino National Forest has to offer.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
Heart Bar Campground
The Heart Bar Campground provides access to some of southern California's greatest backcountry hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, as well as a nice play to experience nature.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Lobo Group
The Lobo Group Campground is nestled in the beautiful Barton Flats area of the San Bernardino Mountains. It is surrounded by picturesque pine trees, providing ample shade and miles of scenic landscapes.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
San Gorgonio
The San Gorgonio Campground provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, as well as a beautiful location in which to enjoy nature.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Sand to Snow National Monument
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Accessible Swimming
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Skyline
The Skyline Group Campground is a great place to enjoy an extended family or large group camping experience. It is close to a variety of wilderness trails and offers abundant fishing opportunities within the surrounding mountain creeks.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (13)
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve/ACEC is well recognized as an important wildlife corridor that links BLM's San Gorgonio Wilderness with the San Bernardino National Forest and Joshua Tree National Park.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Cahuilla
Surronded by the stark beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah) is a favorite recreation area in the Coachella Valley.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
Bighorn Mountain Wilderness
The north-central portion of this Wilderness area holds the rugged Bighorn Mountains and the eastern foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Mojave River Dam
San Bernardino County Parks manages this project in the high desert wilderness at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains. No permanent pool, but camping and picnicking facilities are available. Access to the Pacific Crest Trail.
- Hiking
Juniper Flats
Juniper Flats covers 101,272 acres of mixed public and private lands. Located between the Mojave Desert and the forests of the San Bernardino Mountains, Juniper Flats hosts a unique mixture of plants from both environments.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
Santa Rosa Wilderness
The terrain within the Santa Rosa Mountains Wilderness is rugged with elevations rising dramatically from just above sea level to 7,000 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Carbon Canyon Dam
Managed by Orange County, there is no permanent pool, but varied facilities such as fishing, picnic areas, a nature trail, and tennis. The site of the historic oil boom town of Olinda. Adjoins Chino Hills State Park.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Brea Dam
The recreation facilities at this project are managed by the City of Fullerton (CA) Community Services. Golf and tennis are main attractions at this project, located among the picturesque rolling hills in the City of Fullerton.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Johnson Valley OHV Area
Click here for the latest information concerning upcoming military training and closures of the Shared Use Area. Overview Johnson Valley is a varied landscape for the off-highway vehicle driver.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Recreational Vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Mecca Hills Wilderness
The Mecca Hills Wilderness now contains a total of 26,242 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office . All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Barstow
The Ord Mountain Route Network is south of Barstow and links the Stoddard Valley and Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Areas, also known as Open Areas. Travel within the network is limited to posted open routes.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Orocopia Mountains Wilderness
The western boundary of the Orocopia Mountains Wilderness is contiguous with the Mecca Hills Wilderness with the exception of the Meccacopia Jeep Trail, which bisects the two wilderness areas.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness
The Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 33,610 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Hemet. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Hemet
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Hemet?
Boulder Basin (USDA Forest Service), about 14 miles northeast of Hemet as the crow flies. Next are Fern Basin (14 mi) and Marion Mountain (14 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Hemet?
Based on Hemet’s average highs, November–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.