 Visitors
using the recreational resources of the San Bernardino
National Forest need to obtain a National Forest Adventure
Pass to display on their vehicles. The pass is inexpensive
($5 a day or $30 for an annual pass) and the proceeds
from each Adventure Pass help
to support the high quality of services provided
by the Forest Service. An Adventure Pass is good for
all four forests (San Bernardino, Angeles, Cleveland,
and Los Padres National Forests).
It's
easy to obtain an Adventure
Pass and it helps the Forest.
Be
sure you know who needs a pass. Also,
some special days are free
days.
The
Pass Helps
Beginning
in June 1997, the four Southern California National
Forests began participating in the Adventure Pass program
authorized by the United States Congress. Eighty percent
of the fees collected are returned directly to our
local forests to enable maintenance and improvement
of recreation sites and facilities (things like restrooms,
campgrounds, and trails) and to increase protection
for the Forest habitat - particularly in heavily
used areas.
Here's
how the San Bernardino National Forest has been allocating
the extra financial resources made possible by the
National Forest Adventure Pass:
- More
Rangers: Eighteen uniformed Adventure Pass
Field Rangers are now patrolling the recreation
areas and providing information and assistance
to thousands of visitors. Remember! We get more
visitors to the San Bernardino National Forest
than Yosemite and Yellowstone combined. The Adventure
Pass Rangers also help on clean-up and resource
protection projects. These extra rangers are in
addition to the regular Forest Service law enforcement
and maintenance staff.
- Maintaining
Trails and Facilities: A crew in the Big
Bear and Arrowhead area maintains over 175 miles
of trails. Staff and volunteers at Lytle Creek
clean up a landslide on a section of the Pacific
Crest Trail. Bags of trash are removed from the
backcountry. Restrooms are spruced up throughout
the Forest and new staffing has made it possible
to increase the frequency of cleaning.
- Better
Visitor Information: Improving service is
one of the major goals of the Adventure Pass program.
- A
complete Visitor's Guide is
now available.
- Office
hours at the Ranger Stations have
been expanded to include Sundays in the summer.
- Additional
staff have been hired at Big Bear
and Sky Forest to help improve the quality
and availability of service.
- Outdoor
bulletin boards were installed at
busy trailheads.
- Outdoor
kiosks were installed at the Sky Forest
Ranger Station and the Cottonwood Fire Station
to provide information to visitors after
hours.
You
Have a Say
When
you purchase your pass, you will receive a comment
card. Please - We need your input. Share your
ideas about how the moneys can best be spent. Also,
let us know what Forest Area you are planning to visit.
That way we can target improving
services in your favorite locations.
Who
Needs a Pass
All
visitors are required to display the pass on their
vehicles when they are parking in the Forest for recreational
purposes (picnicking, hiking, snow-play, hunting, fishing,
etc.). Holders of Golden Eagle Passes are required
to purchase an Adventure Pass.
You
don't need a pass when you
- Drive
through the Forest without stopping.
- Stop
for Information at a Ranger Station, Visitor
Center or other Forest Service office.
- Park
at your own residence.
- Stay
in an Organization Camp where there is a
permitted parking area.
- Have
a Special Use Permit for the area where
you are parking.
- Park
in a Fee Site where a site-specific fee
is already being charged (such as ski resorts or
fee campgrounds).
- Obtain
an Administrative Pass available for volunteers
and educational institutions.
- Visit
on a Free Day.
- Park
an off-highway vehicle that has the appropriate
green sticker.
What
Locations Do You Need a Pass For?
Lake Arrowhead
Running Springs
Big Bear North
Big Bear South
Getting
the Pass
- Daily
Pass: $5.00
- Annual
Pass: $30.00 (good for one year from the
month of purchase)
- Golden
Age (over 62 with a proof of age ID) and Golden
Access(disabled visitors): 50% discount
when Adventure Passes are purchased directly from
the Forest Service (Independent vendors are not
required to give you the discount so you are better
off buying directly from the Forest Service.).
**Golden Eagle Passport holders are required to obtain an Adventure
Pass. Golden Eagle Passes are entrance passes. The Adventure Pass is
not an entrance pass.
- Additional
Vehicle Pass: You can obtain one additional
vehicle pass Sticker for $5.00 (good for a second
family car, motorcycle, jeep, etc.) Call ahead
to your vendor to be sure there are secondary stickers
available and bring the license number of the vehicle
with you.
Where
to Buy an Adventure Pass
- Big
Bear Discovery Center: 909-866-3437
- Angeles
National Forest: 626-574-5200
- Cleveland
National Forest: 858-673-6180
- Los
Padres: 805-683-6711
- San
Bernardino National Forest 909-383-5588
- Adventure
Passes can also be purchased from outside vendors:
Free
Days
If
you have a validated daily Adventure Pass for any of
the dates below, you may exchange it for a new Pass
at any Forest Service office. Campground and concessionaire
fees still apply. The last Saturday of each month is
a free Adventure Pass day.
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