The Outdoors Is Calling: Explore These Natural Wonders Near Atwell
Living at Atwell brings the natural wonders of Southern California to your doorstep. Here are a few options to explore the great outdoors.
Connecting with nature is at the core of living at Atwell, with national parks, forests and nature preserves just beckoning you to visit. When the outdoors is calling, it's easy to answer with places like these nearby natural beauties.San Bernadino National Forest
Located at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, with views of the adjacent San Jacinto Mountains, Atwell exists in harmony with a land shaped by thousands of years of life flowing from the nearby peaks. About a half hour away lies the San Bernadino National Forest. Here, there is truly something for every outdoors enthusiast. That includes hundreds of miles of hiking trails, seven designated wilderness areas, 42 campgrounds, seven wild and scenic rivers, the two tallest mountains in Southern California and one of the best destinations for off-highway vehicle riding.
For winter fun, head to its winter recreation areas at Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead or Barton Flats where you can enjoy everything from skiing to snowtubing.
While Joshua Tree National Park is approaching its 90th birthday as a national monument (designated in 1936), it has been home to humans for at least 5,000 years. Today it is the habitat for hundreds of plant, mammal, bird and reptile species. Spanning nearly 800,000 acres, you’ll find plenty to explore in this wilderness gem only about an hour from Banning. Choose from one of the 523 campsites, or enjoy a picnic at one of 38 picnic sites. The park also features two horse camps and 191 miles of hiking trails. Whatever you choose, come prepared with plenty of water and sun protection. Weather conditions can change quickly, and there is no cell service in the park.
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
Rising from the desert floor to more than 10,000 feet in elevation, these picturesque mountains feel remote, yet are only about an hour’s drive from Atwell. Lace up your hiking boots and hit one of the many trails, ranging from the short Ed Hastey Garden Trail to strenuous options like the 8.3-mile Hopalong Cassidy Trail. E-bikes, dogs and horses are allowed on some trails; check with the visitor center before venturing out.
Begin your visit to this high-altitude wilderness area with a stop at the park headquarters in Idyllwild, where you can pick up park day-use and camping permits. At less than an hour and a half from Banning, the state park makes a great destination for a weekend of camping, hiking and just taking in the natural beauty that surrounds Atwell.
And there’s more!
Want more ideas? Add Lake Mathews Estell Mountain Reserve in Corona and Palm Springs’ Coachella Valley Preserve, both within one hour’s drive, to your outdoor bucket list.
Want a new home with natural wilderness areas nearby? Contact a New Home Specialist at (951) 458-6155 today.