Lytle Creek Ranger Station

4.0 (39 reviews)

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Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Site 12 and 13 in applewhite campgrounds - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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In this photo you can see the spells that were left in the water and all the trash

For this being close to the IE,it's nice to cool down and feel some cold water, it's not exactly relaxing depending on where you are since it can get crowded sometimes, there are always lots of kids screaming & playing (validly) and it's nice to get wet and not have to drive far and get sandy at the beach. However some areas are VERY dirty and there was witchcraft in the wateri actually seen other reviews abt this and when we went there was orange sliced with coins and bay leaves with stuff written on them,if you go I recommend finding a quiet area away from people and PLEASE PICK UP TRASH

Ankle deep in creek water. Water that leads up to the rocky hike.

Kristine W.

What a wonderful creek hike. The terrain isn't very even, but my 4 year, who btw isn't the best when it comes to outdoor life, can do it, your whole family can do it. He definitely had assistance but it was such a great time. Easy hike. Lots of walking over rocks. Bring water shoes. Beginning of the hike is creek walking and that alone makes it so fun and memorable. Once you pass the creek, it's time to walk on uneven rocks. Once you get passed the rocks, you start trekking up the mountain. The waterfall is only about 15 mins up from that point. I do wanna leave this as my last bit. This creek/waterfall hike is awesome. BUT there's a lot of trash. Let's do our part and clean up after ourselves. We bring trash bags and do our best to clean up after others, and bring back trash to our cars to throw away elsewhere. It's disheartening walking your family thru such a nice easy family trail and you've got trash EVERYWHERE! Teach your kids so they can be mindful of themselves one day.

Frankee T.

Was a great experience that could have gone bad-- didn't know they were closed on Wednesday-- and we had paid for 2 nights. We had the campground to ourselves and it was beautiful. The setting was perfect-- however; if you do decide to stay the week of Christmas in December..... bring about 10 extra blankets and heat warmers! Very friendly, and the bathrooms were clean. No showers. Still Five stars.

Teresa L.

Cute place. Very overcrowded. I saw a lot of trash along the street and getting to the river and in the river. Water is super cold and delicious. I would like to see trash cans along the highway to assist with the trash problem. There was also not much shade which can be a problem on hot days.

Faby G.

A group of us went to clean this area and it took 5 loads on a truck to take all the trash out. Have respect for these places, take your dirty diapers and beer bottles home. Keep this place beautiful please. Have some decency people , really, your life will get so much better once you do because you must really have a sh**y life if you think leaving your trash behind it the thing to do.

Nick H.

A location 50 minutes to 1.5 hour drive from Los Angeles or Orange County depending on where you live, Lytle Creek is pretty much a hidden destination for hiking, waterfalls and recreation. You can even pan for gold here (good luck). Several hiking trails both begin and end in this area. You can hike for days or take a quick brisk 4 mile hike with steep elevation increases. You can even run these trails and get a great workout. Awesome views of mountains, valleys, plants, wildlife, running water and a waterfall make this a great destination for a day trip. Dislikes..at the easy accessible place you may run into graffiti on rocks and other issues related to undesirables who a have equal access. If you drive or hike off the beaten path, these things disappear and you will be dazzled by a mountain destination of secluded nature. Two separate visits and we had the trails and creeks to ourselves. Make sure you stop by the ranger station first for tips and parking/adventure passes! I am a fan!

Blanca S.

This place is a hidden gem. Absolutely gorgeous views, water flow, and places to hang out with your family and get away from the city. I would say come prepared with everything you would need for the day, make sure to stop and purchase a day pass at the ranger station. Wear water shoes or old ones you don't mind getting wet and dirty. This spot is 420 and pet friendly so keep that in mind.

Lorraine M.

Such a beautiful view took lots of pictures and the little stream was cute I tried to skip rocks but it didn't work lol but my pictures are fly

Matthew S.

The Applewhite Campground is nice! Clean and well-maintained. Sanitary (for the most part) restrooms with supplied toilet paper. Potable water facets throughout campground. Shower facilities. RV accessible. Large fire pits in every site in addition to BBQ grills. Clean concrete benches in every site. Easily accessible from the 15 freeway. General store about 1 mile South of the campground. The only down side is it can get busy on weekends when the weather is nice. If you're okay with music, dogs barking and people getting rowdy then this won't be a problem. However, if you're looking for a peaceful getaway then you might want to visit the Applewhite Campground during the week or in the off-season.

Diem H.

Beautiful place to be at, whether it is to hang out or to camp! Surroundings are beautiful, everything is so green. If you want to get a good spot to camp, make sure you get there early! This is probably the cheapest place to camp, we only paid 10$ for a double. Bathrooms are cleaned first thing in the morning and only get cleaned once a day. Apparently they do close the bathroom until specific hour before the bathrooms get opened again in the morning. They sprayed down the whole bathroom so i dont recommend going right after they clean... It makes it seem worst. Also make sure to bring your own toilette paper just in case they don't have any. They definitely didn't have it when I went in the morning but did provide few hours later. This area has a creek that runs along the road, you can enter it by entering the picnic area. Creek usually gets crowded, and they do only open until certain time before it gets closed which is around 4 or 5 pm:( Now where you choose to camp can be a hit or a miss, it all depends on your neighbor. Upper section seems to be less crowded than bottom, but lower section seems to have more flat areas. Hope that helps, Have a great camping trip:)

Misty P.

Nice, clean area to come and relax.. Water is super cold and clean.. Pet friendly.. Definitely coming back here.

Zandra L.

My parents use to bring us here as kids, it seemed like such a long drive lol now as an adult it's really only just a 20 minute drive. Nice clean environment the water level is a lot lower but still a great local getaway.

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Micaela R.

0

8

3

2 months ago

Most of the staff or Rangers driving by our sites were very helpful in answering our questions. But MISTY went above and beyond to help us in a time of need including making our accommodations more safe and comfortable. THANK YOU MISTY. We look forward to returning here soon. read more

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Elizabeth W.

24

34

24

2 years ago

It's been a real long time since I hiked Lytle creek. It's creepy and dirty. It will be a real long time that I come back. I just wish people would respect the outdoors. Pick up after yourself. Don't tag. Nobody cares about your tagging name or art or whatever. There's a time and place. Tagging the wilderness is not the time nor place. There's many secret places I hike, I won't put it out there because when you do, just look at Lytle creek. That's the outcome. Highlight of hike was seeing a herd of Bighorn up close. They were drinking from the creek. Absolutely beautiful. read more

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Bighorn. Hard to see but they are there. - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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Vuoch L.

Elite 26 All-Star

570

1621

19753

6 years ago

First thing first: 1: on the weekend parking is scarce , no parking lot , while during covid19 we parked on the side streets. DO NOT !!! Double park or even think of parking any where that is narrow where your car wheels is on the white line. Your car will be towed and ticketed .. 2: Do purchase Adventure Pass for the day $5 - can be purchased at one of the business driving up to the creek - ( you will see a sign) I bought mine at the gas station on 3870 Sierra Ave. Fontana Ca. The gas station extra mile in the same business as McDonald's. ( 15 fwy exit off Sierra ) you wont miss it , all the gas stations such as chevron, shell and Arco in that same vicinity . 3: Please!!!! Please!!! What you bring in take it out.. meaning- take your trash with you . So many locations are littered with food packaged, bottles, glasses etc. if we keep littering we will not have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful locations any longer. (Doesn't take much space to bring along a few trash bags in your back pack to dump your garbage in and take it home ) 4: Enjoy your time hiking to the falls or picnic near by the streams while kids frolic in the icy cold running water . read more

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Adventure pass - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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Helpful 23

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Serena S.

0

17

11

2 years ago

For this being close to the IE,it's nice to cool down and feel some cold water, it's not exactly relaxing depending on where you are since it can get crowded sometimes, there are always lots of kids screaming & playing (validly) and it's nice to get wet and not have to drive far and get sandy at the beach. However some areas are VERY dirty and there was witchcraft in the wateri actually seen other reviews abt this and when we went there was orange sliced with coins and bay leaves with stuff written on them,if you go I recommend finding a quiet area away from people and PLEASE PICK UP TRASH read more

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - In this photo you can see the spells that were left in the water and all the trash - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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Lupita O.

0

3

1

2 years ago

They give you very good advice and they have so much information for you and the price for be there is very affordable

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Kristine W.

Elite 24

193

146

245

6 years ago

What a wonderful creek hike. The terrain isn't very even, but my 4 year, who btw isn't the best when it comes to outdoor life, can do it, your whole family can do it. He definitely had assistance but it was such a great time. Easy hike. Lots of walking over rocks. Bring water shoes. Beginning of the hike is creek walking and that alone makes it so fun and memorable. Once you pass the creek, it's time to walk on uneven rocks. Once you get passed the rocks, you start trekking up the mountain. The waterfall is only about 15 mins up from that point. I do wanna leave this as my last bit. This creek/waterfall hike is awesome. BUT there's a lot of trash. Let's do our part and clean up after ourselves. We bring trash bags and do our best to clean up after others, and bring back trash to our cars to throw away elsewhere. It's disheartening walking your family thru such a nice easy family trail and you've got trash EVERYWHERE! Teach your kids so they can be mindful of themselves one day. read more

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Ankle deep in creek water. Water that leads up to the rocky hike. - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - The waterfall!!! - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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Frankee T.

286

32

59

3 years ago

Was a great experience that could have gone bad-- didn't know they were closed on Wednesday-- and we had paid for 2 nights. We had the campground to ourselves and it was beautiful. The setting was perfect-- however; if you do decide to stay the week of Christmas in December..... bring about 10 extra blankets and heat warmers! Very friendly, and the bathrooms were clean. No showers. Still Five stars. read more

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Teresa L.

Elite 26

43

311

1387

6 years ago

Cute place. Very overcrowded. I saw a lot of trash along the street and getting to the river and in the river. Water is super cold and delicious. I would like to see trash cans along the highway to assist with the trash problem. There was also not much shade which can be a problem on hot days. read more

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Faby G.

4

49

45

6 years ago

A group of us went to clean this area and it took 5 loads on a truck to take all the trash out. Have respect for these places, take your dirty diapers and beer bottles home. Keep this place beautiful please. Have some decency people , really, your life will get so much better once you do because you must really have a sh**y life if you think leaving your trash behind it the thing to do. read more

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Thanks 3

Love this 9

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Nick H.

Elite 26

1163

2706

8896

11 years ago

A location 50 minutes to 1.5 hour drive from Los Angeles or Orange County depending on where you live, Lytle Creek is pretty much a hidden destination for hiking, waterfalls and recreation. You can even pan for gold here (good luck). Several hiking trails both begin and end in this area. You can hike for days or take a quick brisk 4 mile hike with steep elevation increases. You can even run these trails and get a great workout. Awesome views of mountains, valleys, plants, wildlife, running water and a waterfall make this a great destination for a day trip. Dislikes..at the easy accessible place you may run into graffiti on rocks and other issues related to undesirables who a have equal access. If you drive or hike off the beaten path, these things disappear and you will be dazzled by a mountain destination of secluded nature. Two separate visits and we had the trails and creeks to ourselves. Make sure you stop by the ranger station first for tips and parking/adventure passes! I am a fan! read more

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Thanks 1

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Blanca S.

1

14

87

7 years ago

This place is a hidden gem. Absolutely gorgeous views, water flow, and places to hang out with your family and get away from the city. I would say come prepared with everything you would need for the day, make sure to stop and purchase a day pass at the ranger station. Wear water shoes or old ones you don't mind getting wet and dirty. This spot is 420 and pet friendly so keep that in mind. read more

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Lorraine M.

796

26

8

7 years ago

Such a beautiful view took lots of pictures and the little stream was cute I tried to skip rocks but it didn't work lol but my pictures are fly read more

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Calvin W.

3

159

29

7 years ago

Very informative and helpful. They directed us to Applewhite campground (now open), and we had a wonderful time there. Beware of off-leash dogs, however. We brought our dog, who was on leash literally 100% of the time (because it's illegal and irresponsible otherwise). But more than once (at Applewhite and at the ranger station), we were confronted with off-leash dogs belonging to careless owners. Our dog is defensive and is NOT social. But he was under complete control the entire time. However, safety of off-leash dogs becomes compromised because they approach our dog and we can't get away from them. And many visitors here don't understand this situation and don't understand leash aggression at all. We were confronted with three off-leash dogs at the station. When we told the owner to put them on a leash, he threatened my life! Who the hell does that? He literally said "You wanna end up in an empty grave?" right to my face..... just because I told him to leash his animals. I hesitate to knock off a star because our experience was so great otherwise. But it's because the likelihood of coming across stupid people at this location seems considerably high. Perhaps there should be stricter enforcement for leash laws. read more

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Matthew S.

178

15

18

15 years ago

The Applewhite Campground is nice! Clean and well-maintained. Sanitary (for the most part) restrooms with supplied toilet paper. Potable water facets throughout campground. Shower facilities. RV accessible. Large fire pits in every site in addition to BBQ grills. Clean concrete benches in every site. Easily accessible from the 15 freeway. General store about 1 mile South of the campground. The only down side is it can get busy on weekends when the weather is nice. If you're okay with music, dogs barking and people getting rowdy then this won't be a problem. However, if you're looking for a peaceful getaway then you might want to visit the Applewhite Campground during the week or in the off-season. read more

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Applewhite Campground - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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Diem H.

Elite 17

142

153

2205

11 years ago

Beautiful place to be at, whether it is to hang out or to camp! Surroundings are beautiful, everything is so green. If you want to get a good spot to camp, make sure you get there early! This is probably the cheapest place to camp, we only paid 10$ for a double. Bathrooms are cleaned first thing in the morning and only get cleaned once a day. Apparently they do close the bathroom until specific hour before the bathrooms get opened again in the morning. They sprayed down the whole bathroom so i dont recommend going right after they clean... It makes it seem worst. Also make sure to bring your own toilette paper just in case they don't have any. They definitely didn't have it when I went in the morning but did provide few hours later. This area has a creek that runs along the road, you can enter it by entering the picnic area. Creek usually gets crowded, and they do only open until certain time before it gets closed which is around 4 or 5 pm:( Now where you choose to camp can be a hit or a miss, it all depends on your neighbor. Upper section seems to be less crowded than bottom, but lower section seems to have more flat areas. Hope that helps, Have a great camping trip:) read more

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Creek - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Bathroom - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Going toward bathroom - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - View from camping - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Double slot - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Pretty - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - We picked an area where it was going a little downhill:( - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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Bear F.

0

207

369

6 years ago

Can you guys please answer your phone, I've left 2,000 messages and I still haven't got a call back! It's ok, Yosemite rangers answer their land lines and they have my business! read more

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Jackie F.

24

149

71

6 years ago

Nice hike easy enough for my 6 year old! The only down fall is the amount of trash left behind by past visitors. Next time we go back I will be taking a trash bag to do my part! read more

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Misty P.

21

36

31

8 years ago

Nice, clean area to come and relax.. Water is super cold and clean.. Pet friendly.. Definitely coming back here. read more

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Susana C.

66

77

19

6 years ago

Nice peaceful place. People abide the mask rules for the most part. Very clean restrooms and facilities.

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Tim E.

Elite 26

868

1780

5721

10 years ago

We were here doing some off-roading and looking for our old campsite of the past. It started off as a rocky ride and we saw snow in the distance and we continued onward. The roads get bumpier and bumpier. If you have a 2x4 then good luck to you. Stay on the main road and have a safe trip. The roads or trails aren't super hard to maneuver but if you get stuck, having a winch helps a lot. I love going during the wintertime as I love the snow and driving in it on all fours. You can roam around for about 3.5 hours before you hit all the trails and be home for supper. read more

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Zandra L.

0

22

4

8 years ago

My parents use to bring us here as kids, it seemed like such a long drive lol now as an adult it's really only just a 20 minute drive. Nice clean environment the water level is a lot lower but still a great local getaway. read more

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Poblanito N.

39

68

52

7 years ago

This place is Great! The park Ranger Brenda AKA the Pitbull was so cool! Great place to make memories

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Gracie N.

Elite 21

2158

330

663

10 years ago

Been coming to Lytle creek since I was a kid I love it there. Off roading, hiking to the falls or relaxing by the creek. I bring my dog so he can run around and play in the water. Some areas can be kinda dirty because some people are slobs who leave trash but I avoid those areas. read more

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Bonita falls - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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Austin R.

1

73

12

7 years ago

I previously rated 1-star. Perhaps that was a bit harsh. But still, I couldn't give them more than 2-stars. Hoping the next experience is better since this is the closest ranger station. But anything gov't seems to struggle with quality since there is no competition. read more

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Virginia D.

0

3

5

11 years ago

The campground at Applewhite in lytle creek is in need of a new camp host...The currant host is disabled and waiting for more back surgeries. The camp gound is in dire need of mataince from simple weed eater to stump removal and filling of holes and watering of trees. The safety of everyone and prevention of fire needs to be addressedThere. Sould be someone there working a few hours a week. I've only seen one hour a week if that. He refuses any volunteer help...so please be aware that you and your family s safety are at high risk when visiting read more

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - Applewhite pinic area the creek - Hiking Near Me - Lytle Creek, California

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Jack D.

0

179

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7 years ago

Nice quiet place to get away from city life I take family up there have a bbq sometimes makes good memories Rangers nice never been rude read more

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Richard M.

2

12

1

9 years ago

Great place to go and hang out with the family every time we go we enjoyed the day in the water with the clean environment

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Alma D.

0

3

0

9 years ago

We visited the Apple White Campground today. Upon arrival we noticed a sign stating the campground was full -but wanted to check out the site so we pulled in. We noticed a forest ranger , who immediately told us we needed to get out. We told him we would, to which he responded that we shouldn't have come inside in the first place. Please check the sign at the entrance- The sign said the campground was full-NOT closed. Really? That was very unprofessional and rude. What happened to being friendly and professional? read more

Business owner information

John M.

Thank you for your feedback, we will look at the signage, and discuss…

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Launa A.

0

2

0

6 years ago

Apple white campground is beautiful Ray the camp caretaker really goes out of his way to make it comfortable, clean bathrooms andquick to assist you with any problem you may have. 5stars for Ray.... Thank you read more

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Dakota M.

3

20

14

12 years ago

Love Lytle Creek! Great place to go with family. You can have a cute little picnic or BBQ. It's an awesome place to explore, kick back, relax.. Be around Mother Nature! Lol, make sure you bring a sweater or hoodie, it can get quite chilly up there. Also make sure to wear sneakers instead of sandals. I usually bring sneakers, it's so much fun taking a nice walk through all the rocks and water with family or friends :) read more

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Tien T.

34

30

20

11 years ago

Beautiful waterfall. You just have to come here when there is water. Otherwise it would be somewhat boring. I don't like that people are drawing on rocks there. It's making the place look somewhat dirty. read more

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Yolie M.

72

236

417

11 years ago

Beautiful! Me and my husband like to come here just to get away for a few hours. I love the tall trees and the cold creek water! Love the fresh air and the camp ground is actually a nice place to stop and take it all in. I love just watching the deer and the birds etc it's so relaxing and the air is so fresh. I love being out in nature and just taking it all in. The drive up is nice and the drive down is so scenic. read more

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Alexy J.

74

30

12

12 years ago

Clean enough and close to the picnic area and the creak. About a mile from the nice people at Melody cafe and store

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Arlene E.

0

2

0

8 years ago

We have been members for several years and hardly use this camp ground. Prior to when we have a small group for the day the guests can park to any available parking. Now they are told to park outside where it says "NO PARKING ANYTIME". For my friends and relatives who would be members is a deal breaker. I use to enjoy coming here with friends. The place becomes dry and brown but I like the creek with running water. Staff are not as helpful as before. read more

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Jaime R.

0

2

4

7 years ago

Perfect place to bring chairs and picnic food, let your kids play in the rocks, water and sand. Bring water shoes to protect your feet from slippery or sharp rocks. Bring sand toys. $5 parking pass at the ranger station. If your meeting family phones lose reception. Our family to find each other sent a text to everyone coming that we were exactly 3 miles from the ranger station on the left which worked perfectly. Public bathrooms there are not the cleanest so bring soap or hand sanitizer. Plenty of shady tree spots and concrete picnic bench but first come first serve. The adults with no toddlers Got there at 8am and got an awesome spot. Toddler families arrived a little later. Loved it. But honestly if you have a crawler...there is really no safe place to put them down where they won't ingest rocks/sand or get taken by the current; so you might wanna bring a pack n play with a canopy to shade them and put them down to play every once in awhile read more

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Gilbert M.

236

88

138

12 years ago

I love camping here. It's close,clean and the kid loves it. They got fishing,hiking,boat rides and a whole list of other activities for you and the little ones. read more

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Erica C.

28

1

0

9 years ago

please be careful when you visit this park. there are a ton of break ins and i got all of my stuff stolen out of my locked car. beware

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S. F.

0

1

0

9 years ago

The rangers were top notch, answered questions, gave good advice, etc. The creek itself is in need of serious care. It is as if the majority of the people here don't care about it. Trash everywhere. Broken bottles, cups, plates, beer boxes, diapers. Graffiti on every rock in the falls area. Its a surprise people bring their families here. Leave No Trace. read more

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Sarah S.

Elite 21

19

250

10

10 years ago

I have been here a few times with my family for vacation and had wonderful experiences! They have many pools! One is just for adults!! They have paddle boats and fishing! They have mini golf and fun activists for kids and family! They keep the restrooms very clean! Love this place! Great place for any family to enjoy! read more

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More info about Lytle Creek Ranger Station

1209 Lytle Creek Rd
Lytle Creek, CA 92358
Directions
(909) 382-2851
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sanbernardino/recreation/lytle-creek-cajon-pass-recreation-area

Hours

What time does Lytle Creek Ranger Station open?

Lytle Creek Ranger Station is open 24 hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Lytle Creek Ranger Station close?

Lytle Creek Ranger Station is open 24 hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun Open 24 hours

Indoor Amenities

Does Lytle Creek Ranger Station allow dogs?

Yes, Lytle Creek Ranger Station allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Lytle Creek Ranger Station have bike parking?

Yes, Lytle Creek Ranger Station has bike parking.

Does Lytle Creek Ranger Station have parking?

Yes, Lytle Creek Ranger Station has parking options. Private Lot Parking

From the Business

Specialties

Adventure Passes & Interagency Passes - call ahead for availability. Handout maps and brochures Welcome to the Front Country Ranger District office located in the community of Lytle Creek. The area offers a popular year-round stream gathering place for urban families. Steep, chaparral-covered hillsides with perennial and intermittent streams and fragmented riparian vegetation, coastal sage scrub, scattered groves of large sugar pine and Bigcone Douglas-fir provide important wildlife habitat. Lytle Creek lies at the eastern-most extension of the San Gabriel Mountains. The area is highly dissected by deep canyons, steep slopes, cliffs, and narrow ridges. The North, Middle, and South Forks of Lytle Creek are the dominant physical features, which has been a popular recreation destination for many generations of local residents from the cities of San Bernardino, Rialto, Fontana, and Colton. Elevations range from 2,000 feet along the Interstate-15 corridor to 9,000 feet. Cucamonga Peak, the Cucamonga Wilderness, the Sheep Mountain Wilderness and Mt. San Antonio typify the rugged, mountainous country west of the I-15 transportation corridor The climate of the area ranges from Mediterranean to mountain, from temperate to hot, with cooler temperatures at the higher elevations. Precipitation ranges from seven inches at lower elevation to 40 inches, with snow in the winter on the taller peaks.

History

Established in 1925.

The wild lands of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountain Ranges were designated a National Forest more than a hundred years ago. The Forest Reserve Act was passed in 1891, giving the president authority to "set apart and reserve, in any state or territory having public land bearing forests . . ..as public reservations." From this act was born the San Bernardino Forest Reserve, which became the San Bernardino National Forest in 1925. The San Bernardino National Forest as public land was set aside for the conservation of natural resources such as trees, water, minerals, livestock range, recreation, or wildlife. Today, the San Bernardino National Forest serves as southern California's outdoor year-around recreation destination, as well as providing valuable watershed protection. Drive the scenic Rim of the World Scenic Byway and Palms to Pines Scenic Byways to discover your local National Forest.

Review Highlights - Lytle Creek Ranger Station

“He literally said "You wanna end up in an empty grave?" right to my face..... just because I told him to leash his animals.”

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Bonita Falls

4.1(164 reviews)

0.8 mi

We went for a hike yesterday and Bonita Falls was 22 minutes drive. The location was in Lytle Creek…read morein San Bernardino National Forest. The weather was great. We parked in the designated area. It was around 2.8 miles round trip . Make sure bring water, sunscreen, good hiking shoes and hiking stick. The trail was very rocky and steep going to the waterfalls. The running stream was amazing. Water was cold but soothing to listen to the sound of the water. The waterfall was high , great to take pictures and can get to the waterfalls area. There were people doing rock climbing too. Great adventure.

It's a decent hike and a good way to get out in nature, but good luck taking photos without…read moregraffiti in them. That's the most disappointing part of this hike. The waterfall is cool, but the area is completely tagged and dirty. The hike itself is only difficult because of the rocky terrain. Otherwise, it's not bad. A couple locations you have to work your way across the water but you can usually find something pretty easily. An adventure pass is needed for parking at the trailhead. I've seen bear scat here previous times, so be careful and alert out there!

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The falls

Third Stream Falls

3.8(13 reviews)

1.3 mi

First of all not sure why but my directions showed I arrived at my destination just past the last…read morehouse on the right. So I parked. Unfortunately, I was approx. 2.5 miles too soon. Luckily it was a wide fire trail but it was pretty intense!!! Keep driving until the fire road ends. There is parking and a bathroom as well. It's been recently maintained with what looks like fresh gravel. No 4x4 needed. On my way up I was appalled at the graffiti! It's disturbing that punks can't respect nature and also pollute our water. Once you are on the trailhead it's a steady incline on a very narrow trail. But it's pretty well kept and it isn't overgrown much. I only took the path up to the Stone House camp, which stupidly there is no actual "stone house" also not really a camp I could find unless the camp marker was slightly off? But I don't recommend this trail one bit. The beginning of the trail is cleared and easy to hike down. But once you get to the creek it's hell from there on in and back out. The trail literally ends at the creek. I had to cross the creek a few times repeatedly. There are huge boulders and a lot of loose rocks. There are also a lot of downed trees, and don't get me started on the gnats! Plus tons of fire ants, regular house ants, and tons of spiders and spider webs! I had repellent on and the gnats were all over me 10 fold! It was hell trying to swat them away while climbing boulders, climbing over & under trees, and crossing the creek multiple times. The creek was roaring like crazy in places and a tad scary to be honest. In one crossing I lost my balance on a slimy rock and ended up in the creek. I finally decided to turn around, and nearly fell off a section of rocks that must have been part of a landslide, because when I started putting my body weight on them they tumbled down and I ended up cutting my leg on a sharp boulder. Trying to make my way out I regretted ever venturing into this mess. My advice stay on the main trail! I never did make it to the stream crossing, so maybe next time. It's all sun and it's extremely warm so bring lots of water. I did 7.25 miles and drank all my 2L water bladder. Watch out for small snakes that look like long lizards without legs. The one I saw was when I was walking back down towards my car on the fire road. There were a few homeless up there, in their cars with a forest adventure pass. I think they stay there during the day until the trail closes. So be careful.

This location was easy to get to for a quick snow trip. You are able to park on most sides of the…read moreroad but just be careful taking off because alot of the people zoom through the two way highway. Came up on a whim early morning to enjoy the fresh snow. The drive is not too far from riverside so we love going up here spring our winter.

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Snow on the trail!

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Applewhite Picnic Area

3.9(9 reviews)

2.1 mi

Cute little picnic area nestled back in the hills area of Lytle Creek area…read more I can sit and watch the creek run for hours. Picnic tables are set up close enough to the water's edge that it makes for a quaint spot to eat and enjoy. Tables are sprinkled around so that there are quite a few yet not too close together, and plenty of shade. Parking is near the tables too, so you don't have to haul your stuff very far. Lots of parking spots up and down the picnic area and each bathroom is within a reasonable walking distance. Very sweet little spot. However, it's not really very clean. Not bad, but seems that the people using the area are inconsiderate. I guess that goes for anywhere in this country of ours, but maybe a ranger or park employee can make an extra sweep of the place to pick up trash. Toilets are pit toilets furnished with toilet paper and and sinks to wash up. There are cute little wood carvings placed around the site and an old shack near the entrance. They've definitely gone the extra distance to make it a cute place for a visit. Relatively close to the city, but far enough away that you feel like you are hundreds of miles up in the mountains. Fresh air, running stream, nature. Not a bad place to visit when you need a nice little get-away. CHEERS!!

We went with family friends and hung out playing games and having lunch at a table while the kids…read moreplayed in the stream for hours. And when it was time to leave the kids demanded to come back some day. Such a great time. And lots of bathrooms!

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Apple White Campground info as of 10/19/22

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Day Creek Canyon

4.0(1 review)

4.9 mi

From the same parking lot for Etiwanda reserve, you go way left on to a gravel road tall grass area…read morewith some places that are heavy woods. It is slightly higher than trail to Etiwanda and the trails for this area has a dead end. I someone who knows the trail or looks for maps. I could not find any website to this trailwas told that the water flows spring and when it rains. So its seasonal. Make sure you go with someone who knows the trail or looks for maps. I could not find any website to this trail nor the day creek area. The parking is free but small...

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Hiking day

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Cleghorn Ridge Trail

4.8(18 reviews)

4.8 mi

Great off-roading if your into the off road and out doors type of stuff , I never got the…read moreopportunity to drive the Clayton ridge trail since we moved up the hill after I was already injured in the Army

Great trail, great sights, I recommend taking snacks etc for picnic during winter see some snowread more

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My son and I had the best experience kayaking

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Mormon Rocks Interpretive Trail

4.5(8 reviews)

5.8 mi

The Mormon rocks are right off the 15 freeway on the 138. Large parking area to get out and…read morestretch, let the pups out, or do some climbing. A beautiful crisp day enjoying the views of this landmark.

No time to hike the complete trail but there's plenty to see from the parking area with a short…read morewalk. Located along the San Andreas fault and exposed thanks to those tectonics, these sandstone blocks are exposed and climbable. The rocks received their name from Mormon settlers, moving to the Los Angeles Basin from Salt Lake City, Utah during the 1850s. There is a large parking lot at the bottom here where CA Highway 138 meets the 15 Freeway. There is no water and there is no shade. There are some great views but be prepared. And of course, always hike with a friend! [Review 17535 overall - 332 in California - 1053 of 2022.]

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Snow capped mountains

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Mountain Lakes Resort

3.4(262 reviews)

1.5 mi

i loved it well not the 48 minute drive with the worst traffic known to man, it was literally on…read moremosttraffic.com top one for 2026 and 2025 it was good, but there were no ACs in my upstairs room in the cabin but it had good service and the pool and splash pad was so good and I made hotdogs In the bbq and it ummmm lets just say I do not know how to cook and the tv shut down so

Sophia was so wonderful at the night desk. She gave us the best attitude and wonderful attention to…read moredetail. Thank you Sophia for all your help.

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Kids are at the pool or the arcade and there's no place like home relaxing on a beautiful Labor Day weekend.

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In these photos are the lakes, mountain lakes has both a trout and catfish lakes

Glen Helen Regional Park

3.2(40 reviews)

4.5 mi

Went fishing today Dec 8th. 2025 fishing was amazing. Got 4 trout. 3 1/2lber and two 4lbers. And 2…read morelber. Love this lake.

This review is for the water park only. The pool is only open during the summer…read more Parking is $8 per vehicle M-F and $10 on Weekends and holidays. Pool entrance fees per person are $9 /$11 p/person on weekends. 3 years old and under are free. I used to come here as a child, so it's nice to able to bring my kids here. The park has changed a bit. Small water park, with a beach-entry pool and splash pad. This is a great park to bring kids during the summer. The water slides are currently closed due to construction. Staff mention they expect the slides to open by Summer 2024. You're allowed to bring in a cooler, food, drinks, tables, and a canopy. NO GLASS/NO ALCOHOL. There are shaded areas, surrounded by trees. I do like that they have a maximum capacity of 300 people. From my understanding, they only sell a certain amount of daily park entry tickets. I suggest you get there early or if you plan on arriving later, have your party purchase your tickets ahead of time.

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Gem & Tauri

E bikes

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New entry

Telegragh Peak

4.5(2 reviews)

7.0 mi

This has been my longest Mt. Baldy trail hike. The Three Tees Trail took me 16 miles, up 4,000 Feet…read moreof elevation gain and over Timber Mountain, Telegraph Peak and Thunder Mountain. And of course, to get there, I had to get up the Icehouse Canyon Trail. http://www.yelp.com/biz/ice-house-canyon-trail-mount-baldy#hrid:7xbAkpMLb89keNbcDHgMRA/src:self Since I hike with my pooch Sammy and our hike was in August, we were at the Ice House Canyon Trailhead by 4am... to avoid the heat on the climb up. This is a long hike, so even on our descent down in the heat I had to make sure I gave Sammy enough water and breaks so she wouldn't overheat. At 3.6 miles and 2,660 feet of elevation gain from the trailhead, we reached the Ice House Saddle before sunrise, took a break then headed up the Three Tees trail as the sun was rising. The trail starts up an incline right away and passes by some Manzanita bushes and some unique fallen trees. On the main trail at 4.4 miles there is a 'Timber Mountain .25' sign. Head east up the hill 0.25 miles to reach your first T, Timber Mountain at 8,303 feet. Sign the register located inside the metal cylinder, mounted in the tree, just behind the top Timber Mt. sign. Wander around behind and to the left of that tree to see a large hollowed out and twisted fallen tree. From that tree I was tempted to just head north to reconnect with the 3 T Trail, but Sammy advised me otherwise. We have gotten lost (oops, I mean detoured) before and today was not a good day for that! So, we headed back down the same way we went up. When you reach the main 3 T Trail, continue north for 2 miles towards the second T, Telegraph Peak. At first the trail goes downhill for about a half of a mile, but then at 5.5 miles, it starts UP through some narrow leg scratching Manzanita bushes and some STEEP soft dirt switchbacks through the large trees. Off to the west are some amazing views! At one point, the dirt trail seems to end at the edge of the mountain and you find yourself having to scramble up and over the large rocky boulders. At 6.99 miles, you will come across a 'Three Tees Trail' sign. For some reason there is no Telegraph Peak trail sign here. But go to the right and head up the hill for 0.2 miles to reach the Telegraph Peak at 8,985 feet. Look for the aluminum register box and the Geological Survey Bench Marker embedded in the large rock. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=pyCsV4-lTSAaVzBIRS3m9A&userid=RoGuDu1egfAvVgb4WmZwUw Look north and you will see the Mt Baldy Notch water reservoir and the ski lodge. After Sammy and I enjoyed the amazing view, we headed back down to the main 3 T Trail and headed north again to reach our third T, Thunder Mountain... all downhill for 1.2 miles. On the way at 7.0 miles, start looking 310 degrees North West to see the green roofed San Antonio Ski Hut. It will be small, so you have to look hard for it. On the slightest of fog days you will not see it. At 8.0 miles you reach a purple 'Three T's Trail - Cucamonga Wilderness' sign and the third T, Thunder Mountain at 8,587 feet. Look over the ridge and you will see the water reservoir and the ski lodge again. Here at Thunder Mountain you can continue towards the ski lodge for 1.5 miles to make this a looped hike, but then you have to hike down the road back to your car. I didn't want to hike a road, so I just turned around after Thunder Mt. and went back the same way I got there, making this a very long 16 mile hike! In my other hiking reviews I have written about what I take, this time I will cover how I prepare my pooch Sammy for these long mountain hikes. She is a black 70 pound LOVEABLE Pit Bull. First, I feed her a high protein dog food diet. She carries her own one liter water backpack, which I mix in some pet electrolytes for the hotter days. She usually drinks more than 1 liter, so I make sure to carry extra water for her. Some days we start our hike before sunrise to avoid the heat. On those days I put my red flashing bicycle light on her backpack so I won't lose her in the mountains. On the very cold days, I put her Hurtta Pro winter fleece and wind resistant jacket on and carry her Ultra Paws 'Rugged' boots and boot liners (which help putting her boots on easier) just in case the trails get too snowy or icy. Here she is in her gear getting ready for the Devil's Backbone. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=O-Qs4DorsTDq847jcaY6Xw&userid=RoGuDu1egfAvVgb4WmZwUw I really like the cold winter gear I bought for Sammy at www.TheDogOutdoors.com. They even posted her pictures on their facebook. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.704051822952592.1073741829.114967671861013&type=1 I love hiking with my pooch Sammy. And I try my best to make it enjoyable and safe for her!

Our video review:…read morehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhMWKLuCKrA We took the ski lift up knowing we would do two hikes, saving us about an hour on fire road. A slow incline up, nothing too difficult. We did see a few dogs on the path. Heading up to Telegraph Peak you have many switch backs and at the top you will have panoramic views of all the neighboring mountains. *Adventure pass required to park. Thunder Mountain Distance: 3.5 miles Elevation gain: 3,400 feet Estimated round trip time: 3 hours Telegraph Peak Distance: 13 miles Elevation gain: 3525 feet Estimated round trip time: 7 hours Hikers: Han, Nick, Matt, Clay and Jesse Our difficulty rating: PG Notes: If you come the weekend of the first full moon they have a BBQ at the restaurant right at ridge next to the ski lift.

Photos

Sammy & I, on Telegraph Peak at 8,985 Feet!

Sammy & I, on Timber Mtn 8,303 Ft

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At 4.9 miles fr Ice House trailhead, go RIGHT UP THE ROCKS to Telegraph Peak

arc Adventure

5.0(5 reviews)

55.2 mi

The service provided by ARC adventure is phenomenal. Jackelin E. and Bob L. Do a great job managing…read moreeverything. From kayaking to rock climbing and camping, the adventure program is a great opportunity for arc students to experience the outdoors.

Great company to rent a rock wall from. I would definitely rent from them again. They were on time,…read morequick with set up and their staff was very nice and great with all the kids who came by.

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Go surfing in Santa Monica or Malibu!

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

8 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Oscar J.

3

142

1

1 year ago

I came with my wife and some friends, and we had such a great experience! We loved the river and the beautiful views. The hike was easy and enjoyable, just make sure to wear proper shoes and be prepared with everything. Overall, it was an awesome time! We got to relax, laugh, and enjoy some quality moments with the whole family. read more

Cathrine C.

4

36

2

11 years ago

I used to come here all the time as a kid, and I just recently visited again and it was a little depressing. Back then the water level was a lot higher and there was a lot more water to go around. Now half the creek is dry and the other half has about 1/2 of the water left. A little depressing, but still a fun sunday getaway. read more

Anonymous J.

0

88

0

6 years ago

Don't bother going here because it is filthy. This creek would be so nice if it didnt have so much trash littered everywhere... People literally ruined this great place with selfishness and laziness to do a basic job of taking their trash with them. read more

Andrew M.

0

5

0

6 years ago

This is a wonderful walk path for the family, with the exception of Pepe's tow company vulturing the public and using the ranger station storage yard as their processing center. Like how is that even legal? Shame on the Forestry service. read more

Lisa L.

77

15

7

6 years ago

People come here to trash the forest...it's a disgrace! I'm glad the Forest is closed, it should stay closed for at least five years to undo the damage of these filthy animals. read more

Frosty D.

Elite 21

11

384

12

10 years ago

Trash, diapers, bottles, graffiti, loud mariachi music , loud death metal, loud rap. Yeah man, it's all here. Talking about roadside, not the campgrounds. read more

John R.

0

7

0

9 years ago

nice hike if you want to go outside and relax for a while not to many people going here so you have time to hike by yourself.

Melanie K.

23

5

0

6 years ago

Worthless bunch of people I've ever seen. Too lazy to do their job. They have let lytle creek go to heck!

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - hiking - Updated May 2026

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8 Lytle Creek Ranger Station reviews that are not currently recommended

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

Lytle Creek Ranger Station - hiking - Updated May 2026

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