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Whitewater Preserve
🌿 Nature Reserve
2,851 acres

Whitewater Preserve

Whitewater
🥾 Hiking
📸 Scenic
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family
🦌 Wildlife
💎 Hidden Gem

Year-round Whitewater River canyon with shaded picnic ponds, family trails, and a PCT day-hike segment — a desert-edge oasis.

Whitewater Preserve protects 2,851 acres along the Whitewater River where it leaves the San Bernardino Mountains. Big shaded ponds, a ranger station, family-friendly trails, and a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail make this one of the IE's most accessible nature destinations — a true oasis between the mountains and the desert.

🌟 Why Locals Love It

Year-round running water and shade in an otherwise dry canyon.

What to Expect

Cool ponds, families, ranger talks, big canyon views, bighorn sheep sometimes.

💡 Good to Know Before You Go

Free admission; closed at sunset; bring water for trails.

📍 Local Tip

Hike the Canyon View Loop for the best easy IE outdoor day.

Best Time to Visit

Fall through spring.

Notable Features

Year-round Whitewater River
Pacific Crest Trail segment
Shaded ponds

Practical Info

9160 Whitewater Canyon Rd, Whitewater, CA 92282

Amenities

Restrooms
Picnic Area
Parking
Trails
Visitor Center
Ranger Station
Verified Official Source
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Everything IE is your premium guide to the Inland Empire — Riverside County and San Bernardino County. Events, restaurants, parks, schools, mountains, lakes, sports, and more — sourced from official departments and trusted institutions, curated for the people who call the IE home. Part of the Everything California network.