Running Springs is the first visible mountain community on Highway SR-330 in the San Bernardino Mountains north of Riverside. This is the gateway to mountain resorts and mountain skiing in Snow Valley,  Lake Arrowhead, Arrowbear, Green Valley Lake, Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City. As you arrive at Running Springs, the first visible sign of services such as food and shops come into view on your right hand side. A few restaurants, a Realtor and some shops offer everything from hardware to gifts in the village that looks like it was built on a huge parking lot.

6000 feet above sea level in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains, Running Springs is centrally located between Snow Valley Ski Resort and Lake Arrowhead, seventeen miles west of Big Bear Lake. The Running Springs area offers activities year round including skiing, snow boarding, cross country skiing, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, shopping, restaurants and other mountain activities.

While there is no primary industry in Running Springs, there are sales and services geared to the tourist market. San Bernardino National Forest is a year-round tourist destination in its own right and some of the camps and camping veer off country roads near Running Springs, the best opportunity to pick up supplies.  Many Running Springs residents are actually commuters employed "down the hill" in San Bernardino and Los Angeles. They drive daily or weekly (some have accommodations or housing in the city, as well), to their mountain homes as a real escape from the traffic, smog and all things city.

Located in Rim of the World, an inhabited stretch of the San Bernardino Mountains wholly contained in the San Bernardino National Forest, Running Springs shares many qualities enjoyed by other Rim cultures that extend a distance of 30 miles from Crestline to Big Bear.

Running Springs, named for the natural streams in San Bernardino mountains, includes schools, community groups and special events such as annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby at Arrowbear Lake sponsored by Lake Lions Club in May. Call: (909) 867-4566. The most popular annual event is Mountain Top Days sponsored by the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.

Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
Post Office Box 96, Running springs, CA 92382
(909) 867-2411. runningspringschamber.com

Running Springs Entertainment and Dining:

Don's Fireside Lounge
(909) 867-2698
Pool table, live band on Friday & Saturday, jukebox, table shuffleboard  and good brews in cozy mountain atmosphere with a warm fireplace to enjoy.

Redmond's Irish Pub & Sports Bar
(909) 867-2311
Includes a jukebox, darts and pool table plus full cocktail bar.

For Kids & Adults:

Children’s Forest is located in the San Bernardino National Forest, on Keller Road off Highway 18 near Running Springs.  Targeted to children, but interesting to everybody who wants to learn about the ecology of the forest, there's a visitor center and interpretive trails. Operated by Children's Forest Association, one of five programs managed by the San Bernardino National Forest Association, the mission of Children's forest is to give youth a legitimate voice in management of the forest and to instill stewardship values. Children's Forest partners with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and is primarily funded by grants, corporate and private contributions.

In 2005 a new 4.5-mile long trail opened for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrian and all to enjoy.  Children’s Forest Exploration Trail winds through some of the most beautiful and unique backcountry on the San Bernardino National Forest, climbing right through the middle of the 3,400 acres of Children’s Forest. Construction on the trail involved many people, community groups, and agencies under the management of the San Bernardino National Forest, in partnership with Children’s Forest Association and the Rim of the World Parks and Recreation District.

Directions to Keller Peak Fire Lookout & Children's Forest Visitor Information Center: Take Highway 18 through down town Running Springs. At the stop sign, turn right to stay on Highway 18 going toward Big Bear. The Children's Forest Visitor Information Center is approximately ½ mile past the stop sign on the right, just before Arrowbear. To get to Keller Peak Fire Lookout, go just past the Children's Forest Visitor Information Center and turn right on Keller Peak Road. Follow the road five miles to the Keller Peak Fire Lookout. For more information call (909) 337-5156, or send mail to: P.O. Box 350 Skyforest, CA 92385. Phone: 909-337-5156 Fax: 909-337-1104.