Visit The Preserve

The Crafton Hills Preserve is located in Yucaipa, California and is a defining feature of natural beauty for the surrounding communities.  The Preserve covers approximately 3,400 acres of open space with more than 22 miles of maintained trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use. We invite you to lace up your hiking boots or grab your mountain bike and escape to the natural beauty of the Crafton Hills! Whether you're looking for an easy trail with great views or a challenging ascent, the preserve has something for everyone!

Getting Here

There are 6 primary trailheads that provide access to the preserve:

• The Oak Glen Road Trailhead [directions] is the most central and commonly-used access point. It is the only access point with a free dedicated parking lot. This trailhead provides access to the Zanja Peak Trail, which is a challenging 3-mile hike with stunning views up to Zanja Peak. You can also connect to the Regional Park Trail from this trailhead and hike into Yucaipa Regional Park (for free). The Oak Glen Rd Trail (0.7 miles) and the City Trail along the base of the preserve are also accessible from this trailhead.

• The Thunderbird Trailhead [directions] can be found right off of Chapman Heights Road near the corner of 13th St. There is generally street parking available. This trailhead marks the start of the Thunderbird Trail, which is a moderate 1.3 mile hike up to the fire road, which then continues for another 3 miles to Zanja Peak on an easy grade.

• The Three Hawks Trailhead [directions] can be found right off of Chapman Heights Road just 100 yards west of the Thunderbird Trailhead. There is generally street parking available. This trailhead marks the start of the Three Hawks Trail, which is a moderate 1 mile hike up to the fire road, which then continues for another 3.1 miles to Zanja Peak on an easy grade.

• The College Trailhead [directions] can be found inside the Crafton Hills College campus. There is a small parking lot for about 10-12 cars at the trailhead. Parking is also available on campus for $3 on weekdays and free on weekends. This trailhead connects to the Three Hawks Trail for a short distance until it connects to the Ridge Trail along the fire road. This is a well-maintained wide trail with a relatively easy grade that provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and continue for 3.5 miles to Zanja Peak.

• The Ridge Trail Trailhead [directions] can be found above the tennis courts and through the field of solar panels. Parking is also available on campus for $3 on weekdays and free on weekends. This trailhead marks the start of the Ridge Trail along the fire road. This is a well-maintained wide trail with a relatively easy grade that provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains for 4 miles to Zanja Peak.

• The Regional Park Trailhead [directions] can be found inside Yucaipa Regional Park. Park admission is required to access this trailhead ($8 weekdays/$10 weekends per vehicle). This trailhead marks the start of the Regional Park Trail, which is a challenging 2-mile trail to Zanja Peak.

• The Grape Avenue Trailhead [directions] can be found on Grape Ave west of Bryant St. Street parking is generally available. This trailhead marks the start of the Grape Avenue Trail, which is a moderate 3-mile hike to Zanja Peak. It also provides access to the Windmill Trail and 38 Special Trail in the northwest of the preserve.

Preserving a Special Place

Visitors are the Preserve's most important guardians.  Help us save the Crafton Hills.  Please send photos of any violations of these regulations to info@chosc.org.

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• Camping or campsites are not allowed in the Preserve.  Camping is available at the adjacent Yucaipa Regional Park.

• Cutting switchbacks or creating new trails is prohibited.

• No collecting or harming plants or trees or animals.

• Pick up your pet's waste.

• All weapons are prohibited.  No shooting.  No hunting.

• Fire danger is high.  No smoking, no open flames, and no campfires. 

• No unauthorized or off-road motor vehicles.

For everyone

Caution - This is a wild natural area and habitat for rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, and other animals and insects.  Many trails are narrow with very steep canyons.

• Only use trails that are designated for use on the trail map.

• Stay on the trail. 

• Use common courtesy and have fun.

• Leave the trails in good shape for the next person.

For cyclists

Caution - Encounters with hikers, dogs, and horses on downhill single track trails can be dangerous.  Ride it - don't slide it.

• Use a bell, such as a bear bell, when going downhill.

• Gently alert those you approach from behind. Don’t startle them with a sudden loud noise.

• Some walkers do not have the agility to jump out of your way. 

• Yield the right-of-way to walkers, runners, and equestrians. 

• Yielding to others means stopping or slowing – never pass others over 10 mph on roads and 5 mph on single-track trails. Stop on narrow trails. Stop for horses. 

• Always ride under control. 

• Don't skid on the turns. 

• Don’t cut the switchbacks. The destruction may be permanent and encourages others.

For hikers and runners

Caution - Beware of downhill bikes at blind corners.

• Yield the right-of-way to equestrians. 

• Be careful not to spook horses. Greet them with a soft hello so they know you are a person. 

• If possible, stay on the downhill side of horses. 

• Hold childrens' hands when a horse approaches.

For equestrians

Caution - Many trails are too narrow for both bikes and horses.  Gopher holes and tunnels are a hazard.

• Don’t bring a skittish horse to these multi-use and often narrow trails. 

• Avoid damaging dirt trails by keeping off them when they are wet.

For dog walkers

Caution - Dogs must be under control at all times.  A bike could suddenly appear.  Protect your dog from rattlesnake bites.

• All dogs must be leashed at all times (6 foot leash). 

• Pick up and properly dispose of your dog’s waste. 

• Don’t let your dog approach others too closely. Others don’t always know your dog’s intentions and may be frightened.

• All dogs (with or without a chip implant) must wear a license tag at all times.

For motorized vehicles

Caution - Police helicopter!  Steep penalties!

• Stay out of the Preserve and off the trails! Yucaipa ORDINANCE NO. 166 forbids “off-road operation of licensed and unlicensed motorcycles and other motor-driven vehicles on private property and public property in the City”.