National Forest Association Fire Lookouts

National Children’s Forest

In 1970, The National Children’s Forest, located in the San Bernardino National Forest, was first designated after the Bear Fire ravaged 54,000 acres of land. A trail was built and it became known as a place for children to learn about the environment. In 1992, Children’s Forest Association was established as a flagship program of the San Bernardino National Forest Association. Our charter was established to involve children in land management and provide education programs to schools, groups and the public. In 2005, Children’s Forest was designated as a Special Interest Area by the USDA Forest SerVisitor Information Centere’s Southern California Province Land Management Plan.

Children’s Forest attracts a variety of recreational forest users like rock climbers, hikers, campers, and families interested in interpretive and educational offerings. A 4.5-mile road winds through the center of Children’s Forest up to Keller Peak Fire Lookout Tower, and gives wide-eyed visitors access to one of the most beautiful and unique natural areas on the San Bernardino National Forest.

The Interpretive Trail

The original trail was redesigned and interpreted; this time by a team of 40 children from around the United States. These young people were brought to work side by side with key Forest SerVisitor Information Centere staff and other experts. They designed the Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail that teaches people about the forest around them. The Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail boasts one of the most expansive and breath-taking views of the Mountaintop Ranger District.

The trail is a paved, handicap-accessible loop that covers approximately 3/4 of a mile of terrain at Children’s Forest. Along the trail are interpretive stops where signs that were designed by youth volunteers teach about things like fire ecology, snags, wildlife homes, and geology. Stop by the Visitor Information Center to pick up an Interpretive Trail brochure that is designed to be a companion on this hike.

The Exploration Trail

In 2005, Children’s Forest completed its most challenging and rewarding project to date, the Exploration Trail, a 4.5-mile hiking trail designed by students. This trail is one of the few places left that visitors can see large diameter sugar pines, having survived the bark beetle epidemic thanks to the natural thinning that occurred during previous fires. It is a multi-use non-motorized trail, meaning that hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians are welcome and encouraged to use the trail. The Children’s Forest Youth Trail Crew maintains this trail and provides educational outreach to trail users.

The Visitor Information Center - Open Friday and Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM and Sunday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

In 2001, Children’s Forest opened its Visitor Information Center. At our Visitor Information Center , our Youth Hosts and Youth Naturalists are available to answer any questions you may have about the San Bernardino National Forest, whether it be about local flora an fauna or where to drive your off-highway vehicle! They can direct you to the best hiking spots, including those right out behind the Visitor Information Center. Stop and listen to our Youth Naturalists as they talk about the items on our Naturalist Table.

The Visitor Information Center also houses the Adventure Outpost, a small store where you can find field guides, maps, and that perfect gift for your loved ones. Adventure Passes, required to park in many popular National Forest destinations, are also sold at the Children’s Forest Visitor Information Center.

Youth Leaders provide interpretive hikes out of the Visitor Information Center on weekends. During the summer, Youth Naturalists guide tours on the Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail and discuss local plants and animals, as well as current issues facing the San Bernardino Mountains. During the winter, they will guide you and your family on exciting snowshoe tours and talk about how plants and animals survive our snowy winters.

The Visitor Information Center is located 1 mile east of Running Springs on Hwy. 18. It is attached to the U.S. Forest SerVisitor Information Centere Deerlick Fire Station.


	HOME The Place Conservation Education Youth Leadership Partners Seedlings of Hope National Children’s Forest In 1970, The National Children’s Forest, located in the San Bernardino National Forest, was first designated after the Bear Fire ravaged 54,000 acres of land. A trail was built and it became known as a place for children to learn about the environment. In 1992, Children’s Forest Association was established as a flagship program of the San Bernardino National Forest Association. Our charter was established to involve children in land management and provide education programs to schools, groups and the public. In 2005, Children’s Forest was designated as a Special Interest Area by the USDA Forest SerVisitor Information Centere’s Southern California Province Land Management Plan. Children’s Forest attracts a variety of recreational forest users like rock climbers, hikers, campers, and families interested in interpretive and educational offerings. A 4.5-mile road winds through the center of Children’s Forest up to Keller Peak Fire Lookout Tower, and gives wide-eyed visitors access to one of the most beautiful and unique natural areas on the San Bernardino National Forest. The Interpretive Trail The original trail was redesigned and interpreted; this time by a team of 40 children from around the United States. These young people were brought to work side by side with key Forest SerVisitor Information Centere staff and other experts. They designed the Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail that teaches people about the forest around them. The Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail boasts one of the most expansive and breath-taking views of the Mountaintop Ranger District. The trail is a paved, handicap-accessible loop that covers approximately 3/4 of a mile of terrain at Children’s Forest. Along the trail are interpretive stops where signs that were designed by youth volunteers teach about things like fire ecology, snags, wildlife homes, and geology. Stop by the Visitor Information Center to pick up an Interpretive Trail brochure that is designed to be a companion on this hike. The Exploration Trail In 2005, Children’s Forest completed its most challenging and rewarding project to date, the Exploration Trail, a 4.5-mile hiking trail designed by students. This trail is one of the few places left that visitors can see large diameter sugar pines, having survived the bark beetle epidemic thanks to the natural thinning that occurred during previous fires. It is a multi-use non-motorized trail, meaning that hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians are welcome and encouraged to use the trail. The Children’s Forest Youth Trail Crew maintains this trail and provides educational outreach to trail users. The Visitor Information Center - Open Friday and Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM and Sunday 9:00AM - 4:00PM In 2001, Children’s Forest opened its Visitor Information Center. At our Visitor Information Center , our Youth Hosts and Youth Naturalists are available to answer any questions you may have about the San Bernardino National Forest, whether it be about local flora an fauna or where to drive your off-highway vehicle! They can direct you to the best hiking spots, including those right out behind the Visitor Information Center. Stop and listen to our Youth Naturalists as they talk about the items on our Naturalist Table. The Visitor Information Center also houses the Adventure Outpost, a small store where you can find field guides, maps, and that perfect gift for your loved ones. Adventure Passes, required to park in many popular National Forest destinations, are also sold at the Children’s Forest Visitor Information Center. Youth Leaders provide interpretive hikes out of the Visitor Information Center on weekends. During the summer, Youth Naturalists guide tours on the Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail and discuss local plants and animals, as well as current issues facing the San Bernardino Mountains. During the winter, they will guide you and your family on exciting snowshoe tours and talk about how plants and animals survive our snowy winters. The Visitor Information Center is located 1 mile east of Running Springs on Hwy. 18. It is attached to the U.S. Forest SerVisitor Information Centere Deerlick Fire Station.