Backpacking camp

Grinnell Ridge Camp

San Gorgonio Wilderness, California

About this place

Grinnell Ridge Camp is an official itinerary area, permit zone, or source-backed named overnight reference represented by a reachable point on the pinned agency trail network in San Gorgonio Wilderness.

The marker is a route-access reference, not a tent pad. Move off the trail only where travel is permitted, remain inside the authorized zone, and choose a legal durable site under every current setback and closure.

Water planning

Water at this camp

Natural water mapped nearby

Availability

South Fork Santa Ana River is mapped within 0.5 mile of the camp-area marker. This is map evidence, not a real-time flow report.

Drinking safety

Natural water is not verified potable. Filter and disinfect it or boil it according to the linked land-manager guidance before drinking.

Seasonality

South Fork Santa Ana River is classified as perennial in USGS hydrography, but current flow still must be confirmed.

  • South Fork Santa Ana RiverRiver or stream · 0.2 mi awayMapped perennial source — verify current flow · Treat before drinking
    Official source

Fire planning

Campfire & stove rules

No campfires or charcoal

Campfires

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited at San Gorgonio Wilderness camps, including existing unofficial rings.

Backpacking stoves

Portable gas stove allowed with permit. Use a portable gas stove only; wood-burning and twig stoves are not allowed.

Permit

Carry a valid California Campfire Permit for portable stove use in this remote National Forest area.

Current restrictions

Check San Bernardino National Forest alerts before departure; emergency restrictions can suspend stove use.

Seasonal access

Closures & seasonal access

The wilderness has no universal annual closure, but winter snow and ice, post-fire hazards, storm damage, and emergency forest orders can close individual trails or access roads

Place closure

No recurring date-based closure of Grinnell Ridge Camp is published. The source-connected approach conditions below and temporary emergency orders still control access.

Seasonal access

Source-connected approaches: Vivian Creek Trailhead, South Fork Trailhead, Forsee Creek Trailhead, and 2 more. The wilderness has no universal annual closure, but winter snow and ice, post-fire hazards, storm damage, and emergency forest orders can close individual trails or access roads.

Before driving

Check San Bernardino National Forest alerts and the exact trail page immediately before departure; carry winter equipment when conditions require it.

Mapped approaches

Choose a trailhead for Grinnell Ridge Camp

Each option has a sourced trail route to this camp area. Choose one to open its itinerary builder with this destination in context.

Map

Loading map
Latitude
34.157709° N
Longitude
116.839155° W

Sources

Official overnight record San Gorgonio trail guide — Grinnell Ridge Camp; mapped to the nearest reachable agency trail pointSan Gorgonio Wilderness Overnight PermitSan Gorgonio Wilderness overnight regulationsSan Gorgonio Wilderness current conditionsOpenTopoData public API — SRTM 90 mUSGS NHDPlusV2 flowline — South Fork Santa Ana RiverUSDA Forest Service — Backcountry Safety: Water & SanitationSan Bernardino National Forest — San Gorgonio WildernessSan Bernardino National Forest — San Jacinto WildernessCalifornia — California Campfire PermitSan Bernardino National Forest — current alertsSan Gorgonio Wilderness