Basics
- Location:
- 40 miles east of Palmdale through San Bernardino National Forest.
- Surface:
- Paved
- Length:
- 107 miles (172 km)
- Time:
- About 4 hours
- Season:
- Drivable year round
Description
The Rim of the World Scenic Byway travels high above the urban Los Angeles basin and, lent contrast by surrounding mountains and wilderness makes for a nice segue from urban to rural.
The Rim of the World Scenic Byway begins at the Mormon Rock Fire Station which is 1.5 miles west of I-15 on HWY 138. Go east along the route to HWY 38 to where it meets and merges into HWY 18 at Crestline. Follow HWY 18/38 to the dam at the west end of Big Bear Lake where HWY 38 departs from HWY 18. HWY 38 continues all the way to the end of the byway at the Mill Creek Ranger Station on the border of the San Bernardino National Forest.
Numerous recreational opportunities can be found along the byway in addition to the often scenic vistas it affords. Peaceful mountain towns along the way include Blue Jay, Twin Peaks, Arrowhead Lake, Skyforest, Running Springs and Big Bear Lake, which is home to the informative Big Bear Discovery Center. The center is a large natural resources interpretive site operated by the San Bernardino National Forest Association which has educational exhibits for children and adults as well as trail details for would-be hikers and bikers.
Tourism Resources
Helpful Links
Tourism Resources
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Big Bear Discovery Center (CA)
The Big Bear Discovery Center located 1 mile east of Fawnskin on State Route 38 is operated by the San Bernardino National Forest Association. The Association supports the San Bernardino National Forest by public education program in natural resources, gathering and organizing volunteers to accomplish natural resource or public interest activities, and informing forest visitors of recreation opportunities.
The Discovery Center added a new addition in 2004 for educational exhibits for children. The exhibits area still under construction and are planned for completion in 2006. The Center sponsors guided walks, tours, and special events.
San Bernardino National Forest (CA)
The mountains of Southern California offer clean air, blue skies, mountain lakes, challenging trails, and beautiful views of the valley below.
