Burns Canyon Road
Granite canyon technical challenge near Big Bear
Burns Canyon Road drops off Highway 38 into a granite-walled canyon system that most Big Bear visitors never see. The route follows an old logging road past abandoned mill sites and through seasonal stream crossings that can run swift during snowmelt. Rock shelves and embedded boulders create technical challenges, while towering pines and granite outcroppings make this feel more like the Sierra Nevada than typical Southern California desert mountains.
This is legitimate 4WD territory requiring low-range gearing and rock sliders for the embedded granite sections. Snow closes the route from December through April, making late spring through fall the prime window. The route connects to Forest Service roads leading deeper into San Bernardino National Forest backcountry. Dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas, but water sources are seasonal. Expect solitude and some of the best granite scenery accessible by vehicle in the Big Bear area.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6800 ft |
| Best season | May-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with sliders |
| Nearest town | Big Bear Lake, CA |
| Land manager | US Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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