Guides/Overland routes/California
Overland route22 midifficulty: moderate

Burns Canyon Road

RegionCaliforniaAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Burns Canyon Road — overland route near Pioneertown, California, California
inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +) — CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
22mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance 4WD recommended. Several sections require 4WD low for steep loose climbs.
Best months
Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Cell coverage
None on the central segment. Service returns near Pioneertown and Big Bear.
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Burns Canyon Road runs 22 miles between Pioneertown in the Morongo Basin and Big Bear City, climbing 4,000 feet from the high desert through joshua-tree scrub and pinyon to the Jeffrey pine of the San Bernardino Mountains. The route crosses BLM California Desert District land at the lower end and San Bernardino National Forest's Mountaintop Ranger District at the higher elevations. It serves as the back-door overland connection between the Mojave and Big Bear and as a popular weekend run for Inland Empire and Coachella Valley drivers.

The road is graded for most of its length but includes several loose granite climbs that benefit from low-range 4WD, particularly the climbs out of Pipes Canyon. Snow closes the upper section from late December through April most years; summer heat in the lower desert tops 110°F. Spring and fall are the practical seasons.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Loose granite climbs. Several sections in Pipes Canyon are loose enough to require momentum and 4WD low. Carry recovery gear.
  • Winter snow. The forest section closes from late December through April most years.
  • Heat. Summer surface temperatures in the desert section top 110°F.
  • Tire damage. The granite punctures sidewalls regularly. Carry a spare and a plug kit.
  • Cell service drops. Carry a satellite communicator or check in with someone before driving.

Location

22 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 34.275, -116.711

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management
Nearest townPioneertown, California
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/sbnf
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug
Approx. location34.275, -116.711

Getting there

Directions

From Pioneertown (southern entry). From SR-62 in Yucca Valley, take Pioneertown Road north four miles to Pioneertown. Continue north on Pioneertown Road, which becomes Burns Canyon Road as the dirt section starts.

From Big Bear (northern entry). From Big Bear City, take SR-38 east to North Shore Drive. Follow Forest Roads 3N03 and 3N16 east through Holcomb Valley to the connection with Burns Canyon Road.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Burns Canyon Road bridges two distinct ecosystems: the Morongo Basin's high desert at 4,000 feet and Big Bear's montane forest at 7,000 feet. The southern entry is at Pioneertown, the 1940s movie-set town off SR-62 north of Yucca Valley. The northern entry connects to Holcomb Valley and Big Bear City via Forest Roads 2N02 and 3N03. BLM manages the southern half; San Bernardino NF's Mountaintop Ranger District takes over at the forest boundary.

Trail Overview

Twenty-two miles point-to-point. The southern half climbs out of Pioneertown through Pipes Canyon, with several loose granite climbs that warrant 4WD low. The middle section threads pinyon-juniper through the mountain front. The northern descent into Big Bear is graded forest road. Most drivers run the route south-to-north to face the inside of the canyons on the climb. Total time: three to four hours including stops.

Points of Interest

  • Pioneertown. 1940s movie-set town built by Roy Rogers and Gene Autry; still a working set and now home to Pappy & Harriet's roadhouse.
  • Pipes Canyon Preserve. Wildlands Conservancy preserve adjacent to the road, with trails into the Sand to Snow National Monument.
  • Sand to Snow National Monument. BLM and USFS national monument designated in 2016, encompassing the southern half of the route.
  • Holcomb Valley. Gold-rush valley at the road's northern terminus. Connect to the Holcomb Valley Geological Tour for an extended trip.
  • Big Bear Lake. Reservoir at the northern end, with marinas, ski areas, and developed lodging.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM and San Bernardino NF land along the route. The forest section requires a yellow-post site or designated dispersed camping; the BLM section follows standard 14-day stay rules. Closest developed campgrounds are Holcomb Valley Campground on the north end (USFS) and Black Rock Canyon Campground in Joshua Tree National Park to the south.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Run south-to-north so the steepest climbs come early and the descent into Big Bear is the easier grade.
  • Carry recovery gear. The granite climbs out of Pipes Canyon eat tires and have stranded vehicles.
  • Plan around the season. Snow closes the forest section from late December into April; desert summer heat tops 110°F.
  • An Adventure Pass is required for parking on San Bernardino NF.
  • Combine with the Holcomb Valley Geological Tour for an all-day Big Bear backcountry trip.
  • The Mountaintop Ranger District (909-382-2790) and BLM Barstow Field Office (760-252-6000) handle their respective sections.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Burns Canyon Road?
Burns Canyon Road is rated moderate. The route runs 22 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Burns Canyon Road?
High-clearance 4WD recommended. Several sections require 4WD low for steep loose climbs.
When is the best time to visit Burns Canyon Road?
The best months are Apr, May, Oct, Nov. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug.
Is there cell service at Burns Canyon Road?
None on the central segment. Service returns near Pioneertown and Big Bear.