I love botanical gardens. And trees. Growing up in the suburbs of a big city, there were trees and parks, but our natural greenery was interspersed with large amounts of concrete, asphalt, and metal. Even as a kid, I loved going to some of our more well-known arboretums and gardens, wandering through unbroken expanses of plants, trees, and flowers. Like each of these places, this little-known arboretum in Skyforest, CA, is a perfect little nature escape.

Located just outside of Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains, Heaps Peak Arboretum is a botanical garden with several species of indigenous trees, native plants, wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife.
J’ont Smith/AllTrails
The gardens are free to explore, but an Adventure Pass is required to park in the lot.
This family-friendly botanical garden features open spaces, densely wooded areas, benches, and overlooks, as well as restrooms, drinking fountains, a creek and bridge, and some level paved paths that are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Ari Campbell/Google Reviews
Informational kiosks and posted signs are located throughout the Arboretum, helping visitors to identify and learn about the gardens, flowers, trees, and wildlife that call it home.
PH 7/Google Reviews
An entire garden is dedicated to butterflies. Milkweed is used by Monarch butterflies to lay their eggs and is eaten by Monarch caterpillars. Other flowers are planted that are used as food by adult butterflies. The garden’s flowers also attract other pollinators, ensuring even more wildflowers in the future.
Carlos Jaramillo/Google Reviews

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Visitors enjoy encountering a variety of birds, squirrels, and other woodland critters.
Chris Smith (chrisandcami)/Google Reviews
The sheer variety of flora found in the Arboretum is part of what makes it special. For example, inside the Arboretum is a one-mile Sequoia Trail, a loop characterized by tall, famous California beauties.
Zach Burton/Google Reviews
The Arboretum is a wonderful place to immerse yourself and stroll through fall foliage. With such a wide variety of plants, shrubs, and trees in the area, combined with the altitude, you will see a full range of fall colors - pinks, reds, golds, yellows, and greens.
Edgar Urena/Google Reviews
Winter brings a completely different experience to visitors when a blanket of snow turns it into a white wonderland.
Steven Pham/Google Reviews

Whatever time of year you choose to visit, this little-known arboretum is a special place to explore away from the crowds. Have you been here before? Tell us what you think in the comments! Find more information, directions, events, and more on the Heaps Peak Arboretum website. The arboretum is a great stop to add to an amazing drive along the Rim of the World Scenic Byway. Grab your keys, your road trip snacks, etc., and get ready for some of the most beautiful scenery in SoCal.

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29358 Rim of the World Hwy #18, Skyforest, CA 92385