Holcomb Creek Trail (3N93)
Holcomb Valley (Big Bear, San Bernardino NF) · near Big Bear City / Fawnskin · Los Angeles / SoCal
Off-Road
At a glance
- Skill level
- advanced
- Size
- A challenging rock-crawling trail with water crossings and forest scenery
- Best season
- Late spring–fall · Water crossings highest in spring snowmelt · Snow-closed in winter
Permits and booking
- Permit
- San Bernardino National Forest — Adventure Pass may be required. Green Sticker or street-legal registration. Stay on the designated route. Check current status (SoCal forest trails close for fire/maintenance). Water crossings vary seasonally; scout depth.
What is here
- Terrain
- rock-crawling · mountain-4x4 · forest-roads
Worth knowing
- Good for a first timer
- No
Off-Road detail
- Nickname
- Big Bear's Water-Crossing Rock Garden
- Vehicles
- 4x4-jeep
- Signature routes
- The rock gardens · Holcomb Creek & PCT views
- Intl tip
- Holcomb Creek is in Big Bear's Holcomb Valley alongside John Bull (this guide). The creekside camp spots make a good overnight base. Combine with Big Bear Lake recreation, the Santa Ana River MTB (MTB guide), and winter skiing (skiing guide). Always check current trail status before heading up.
The guide
Holcomb Creek (3N93) is one of the most demanding and rewarding trails in the Big Bear range — a challenging rock-crawling rout…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Holcomb Creek Trail (3N93) — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 34.32, -116.92