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. |