Lytle Creek Ranger Station — San Bernardino National Forest Information Hub
Sitting at the mouth of Lytle Creek canyon off I-15, this ranger station is your first and best stop before pushing up into the San Gabriel Mountains via Lytle Creek Road or Lone Pine Canyon. Staff here track road conditions, active fire restrictions, and which dispersed zones are open or closed. The station also stocks Adventure Pass info — you’ll need one for parking anywhere in this forest. Cell signal gets thin fast once you climb, so pull your intel here while you can.
The station serves the full front-country approach to this trail system. Hours vary by season; call ahead or check the USFS San Bernardino NF website before banking on them being open. The surrounding Lytle Creek community has a small store nearby for last-chance snacks and water if you missed a stop in Fontana.
USFS intel stop before the climb.
Place Details
| Type | Point of Interest |
|---|---|
| Street address | Applewhite Picnic Ground, Lytle Creek, California Get directions → |
| Elevation (ft) | 2200 ft |
| Nearest town | Fontana, CA |
| Miles from pavement | 0.2 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle |
| Access road surface | Paved |
| Cell service | Full |
| Cost (USD/night, 0 = free) | Free |
| Reservation required | No |
| Best season | Year-round |
| Land manager | USFS |
| Permit required | No |
| Amenities | Cell signal, Toilets |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |