Summer Escape 2025: San Bernardino National Forest

Details

The SCORCH summer tradition continues! We’re heading back to the cool, pine-covered trails above Big Bear for a weekend of off-road adventure, fresh mountain air, and good company. Join us for a day, a night, or the full weekend—this flexible ride offers forest cruising, mountain meadows, and a scenic finale in iconic Pioneertown.

The event runs Saturday and Sunday, August 23–24, starting with an 8:30 AM meetup near Hanna Flat Campground. Saturday’s route covers the best of the San Bernardino National Forest on mostly easy trails and ends back at camp by late afternoon. That evening, choose between a hard or easy ride—both ending at a stunning overlook, ideally around sunset.

Sunday morning, either head home via a short trail to Fawnskin or join the optional descent to the desert through Joshua Tree landscapes, ending in Pioneertown—a Wild West town with a saloon or two for the last drivers standing.

BUILD YOUR OWN ADVENTURE:
Our flexible format lets you choose how you want to roll—whether you’re in for the long haul or just dropping in for the day. Here are some popular ways to make the most of the weekend:

One-Day Adventure
Join us Saturday morning for the main ride through the forest, then head home after we return to camp—or stick around for one of the optional night rides before making your way out.

One Day / One Night
Come up Saturday morning, complete the main ride, stay for the night rides and camp under the stars. Head home Sunday on your own time via the short hop to the pavement in Fawnskin.

Sky to Sand
Come up Sunday morning and join us for the ride to Pioneertown.

Two-Day Adventure
Arrive Friday night, camp at Hanna Flat, and enjoy the full ride experience on both Saturday and Sunday—including night rides and the descent into Pioneertown.

Full Weekend Basecamp
Make Hanna Flat your home base both nights, even if you're not doing every ride. Bring your camp chair, stay cool in the pines, and enjoy good food and trail stories around the fire.

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ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Saturday Morning & Afternoon:
We’ll kick off the adventure at 8:30 AM just outside Hanna Flat Campground, where we’ll meet for the drivers meeting and air down before rolling out at 9:00 AM. Some participants will have camped the night before, while others may be arriving that morning—either way, we’ll start and end the day right at the campground.
The main Saturday ride explores the best of the San Bernardino National Forest, with a mix of shaded forest routes, scenic meadows, and a stop in the mountain town of Green Valley. Along the way, we’ll visit a historic miner’s cabin, pass through stretches of deep woods, and catch glimpses of Big Bear Lake from elevated trails. Most of the route is easy, with a few rocky sections to keep things interesting and fun for all experience levels.

We’ll wrap up the loop and return to Hanna Flat by late afternoon—hopefully with enough time for sunset riders to catch their breath.

Saturday the Hard Way or the Easy Way:
For those craving a challenge, this optional Saturday night ride takes us up White Mountain—a rocky, technical climb with steady elevation gain and rewarding views the whole way up. It’s a slow crawl in places and best suited for drivers with extensive off-road experience and a vehicle ready for very steep and uneven terrain. The plan is to time the ride so we reach the overlook around 7:00 PM, just as the sun dips over the desert horizon.

A second group will head out closer to sunset via a much easier and shorter route, offering a scenic (but smoother) way to the same destination. The hope is that both groups arrive around the same time to take in the views together. Everyone is welcome to linger for an impromptu gathering under the stars—and depending on fire conditions, we may even light up a small bonfire to close out the night (TBD closer to the event).

Sunday:
Sunday morning offers a final dose of flexibility. For those wanting to have your day, a short trail leads to Fawnskin, where you can hop on pavement and make your way home.

For the rest, the ride heads east out of the forest and we descend toward the high desert. winding through wood and meadows, past Baldwin Lake, and down through expansive Joshua Tree landscapes. We’ll arrive in Pioneertown midday, a one-of-a-kind Wild West town where a dusty Main Street, wooden facades, and a couple of saloons mark the perfect end to the weekend.

ABOUT CAMPING
The primary campground for this ride is Hanna Flat Campground, a family-friendly facility nestled in a pine-covered area of San Bernardino National Forest. You can find reservations and more information about the campsite here.

Due to the popularity of SCORCH rides, it’s strongly recommended that you book your campsite as soon as possible, as spots tend to fill up quickly.

Facilities

Toilets: The site currently has vault toilets. Flush toilets are closed at this time due to insufficient water production from the campsite well.
Firewood: Available for purchase from the camp host (cash only).

Booking Details

Cost: At last look, Fridays and Saturdays must be booked together, costing around $80 for both days, which includes parking for one or two vehicles (depending on the spot). An additional vehicle costs $8 per day.
Options: Can't get there until Saturday Morning but want to camp at Hanna Flat? Book for both nights, leave the space vacant on Friday night, and arrive early on Saturday to check in.

First Come, First Serve Sites

Hanna Flat also offers some first-come, first-serve sites, available for about $40 per night. Get there early if are hoping for that option

Alternative Camping Options

Holcomb Valley Campground: Another formal campsite nearby. More info here.
Dispersed Camping: Free camping is generally allowed throughout the forest except in posted closed areas or within 200 feet of developed roads, trails, or facilities. More info on dispersed camping here.
Yellow Post Sites: 13 first-come, first-serve sites available throughout the forest. More info here.

Sharing Campsites
Campers are encouraged to share campsites to ensure everyone has a spot. If you’re open to sharing your site, please post about it in the event chat on Meetup.

Make your camping arrangements early to secure your spot and enjoy a fantastic off-roading weekend with SCORCH!

BE PREPARED
Here are some recommended items to bring along. We get a little kickback from Bezos if you buy any with our links. You can also visit our store for more gear suggestions.