Eagle-Friendly!

Hiking Miller Canyon Trail in the San Bernardino Mountains

What a difference a couple thousand feet make! Silverwood Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains lies amid high-desert scrub and chaparral at 3,350 feet—a world that Miller Canyon Trail quickly leaves behind in favor of an alpine-flavored realm of Douglas firs, Jeffrey pines, and dizzying mountain views. This 9.8-mile (round-trip) out-and-back gains 1,906 feet from start to summit, and it’s more than worth the challenge. You’ll ultimately rise high above Silverwood Lake and the densely forested canyon for a stunner of a view of the eastern face of the San Gabriel Mountains and snowcapped Mount Baldy.

The trail starts in a dense canopy of California black oak trees. Wherever the forest cover thins out, keep your eye on the sky, because Miller Canyon is one of a handful of areas in Southern California with known populations of wintering bald eagles. Silverwood SRA even offers guided bald eagle boat tours from January through March.

The hike entails a steady incline with of bits of pavement scattered throughout. It’s also a popular mountain biking route. Two-thirds of the way up you’ll reach a switchback at a three-way intersection. From there it’s a curvy way up to the ridgeline. The destination isn’t marked, but you’ll know it when you see it: a grand view of the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area and the San Gabriels beyond. An eagle’s-eye view!

From the I-15 in Cajon Pass, exit on CA-138 and go east—you’ll pass Silverwood Lake—for 18 miles. Turn left on Miller Rd. and make a quick right to stay on Miller Rd. Park at the OHV trailering site or in one of the parking offshoots farther up Miller Rd. The trailhead is a short distance up Miller Rd. past the OHV trailering site. Look for a small green and white Miller Canyon sign, along with forest road markers that read N237 and N238. A high-clearance vehicle can make it to the trailhead without a problem, but if you have a regular passenger car you might want to park at the trailering site and trek the extra half-mile; the road gets rocky. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View