A Sunny Day Well Spent at Bogart Regional Park
Need to find a new place to hike and experience nature in western Riverside County? Look no further than Bogart Regional Park. Tucked away in the outskirts of Beaumont and Banning, this park is like no other in Riverside County due to its prime location in the San Gorgonio Pass.
The regional park has everything you need for an outdoor adventure for all ages. For the thrill seeker, there are miles of trails leading to exciting habitats. For kids, there are playgrounds and plenty of fields to kick a soccer ball or play catch. One of the best features of the park is the Candlelight Trail. The stone-lined trail leads to one of the best views of the San Gorgonio Pass and its lovely communities.
To access the Candlelight Trail, park your car at Meadows Parking Lot and make your way east to the main loop trailhead. From the main trailhead, you will encounter the Candlelight Trail entrance marker that leads you up to Scenic Hill. Once you reach the summit, you will find two lookouts with breathtaking views of Banning and Beaumont. Thanks to the Cherry Valley District, information kiosks are available to identify the beautiful sights.
If you plan to hike during the summer, be on alert for rattlesnakes! They are plentiful in the park. The red-diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber ruber) is just one of many MSHCP-protected species that call Bogart Regional Park home. The bell’s sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli belli) flies high above the hills behind the park, while the Los Angeles pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris brevinasus) may be seen scattering away from the rattlesnakes in certain parts of the park.
Bell’s sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli belli)
Los Angeles pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris brevinasus)
Red-diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber ruber)
Bogart Regional Park is managed by the Chery District. For information about entrance fees, reserving camping spots, and a map of the park, please visit bcvparks.com/more-information.