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Bear Valley Trailhead

Part of ATV and Overland Trails, our guide to ATV, OHV and overland riding in San Diego County.

Bear Valley Trailhead is off I-8 at the Pine Valley Road exit. The Forest Service calls it one of the closest OHV opportunities in Greater San Diego, with a beginner trail on an old roadbed. It has two portable toilets and no water. A pass costs $5 per vehicle per day.Checked October 23, 2026.

Easy to Moderatedifficulty
$5 / $30day / annual pass
2portable toilets
Openas of Oct 23, 2026
Getting thereOff I-8 at the Pine Valley Road exit
SeasonBest in fall, winter and spring. Green sticker year-round; red sticker October 1 to April 30 per the Forest Service.
PassesNational Recreation Pass or Adventure Pass; $5 per vehicle per day, $30 annual
Who it suitsBeginners; Easy to Moderate; pets allowed. Age limits not stated.
Official pageCleveland NF: Bear Valley

The Route

A beginner trail on an old roadbed with a small loop and a vista. It connects to Corral Canyon by the Kernan Cycle Trail, but the Corral Canyon area is accessible only to vehicles less than 53 inches wide from here. Motorized use is restricted to authorized routes (Bear Valley, Long Valley Loop, Kernan Cycle Trail): “no sign? It’s not a legal route.” Neighboring land is private, so stay on posted routes.

Status Read 2026-10-23

Bear Valley OHV was listed Open, subject to closure for wet weather or fire danger; when closed it is still accessible to vehicles under 53 inches wide. Facilities: 2 portable toilets, 1 picnic table, no potable water. A spark arrester is required year-round. The page was updated March 6, 2026.

Bear Valley Trailhead Open the map. © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Trail length is not confirmed. The Descanso Ranger District can confirm.
  • The Forest Service OHV page says green and red sticker vehicles are limited to Wildomar and Corral Canyon, yet its closure list also shows Bear Valley OHV as an OHV area. Not confirmed how these fit; the Descanso Ranger District can confirm.

More in ATV and Overland Trails

FAQ

Is Bear Valley good for beginners?

The Forest Service describes a beginner trail rated Easy to Moderate.

Is there water?

No. There is no potable water.

Sources

  1. Cleveland NF: Bear Valley Trailhead
  2. Cleveland NF: OHV
  3. Cleveland NF: closures

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.