Afoot & Afield: Inland Empire

Discover more than 250 hikes in Southern California!

The Inland Empire is truly a hiker’s paradise. This vast region east of Los Angeles, encompassing Riverside and San Bernardino counties, brims with cactus-studded deserts, snow-capped summits, shady forests, sparkling lakes, and lush palm oases. Updated with more than 60 new hikes, Afoot & Afield: Inland Empire offers a comprehensive collection of hiking adventures for everyone from families with young children to experienced mountaineers seeking the ultimate challenge. This guide covers the millions of acres of public lands in the region, including the Mount Baldy Area, San Bernardino Mountains (Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and San Gorgonio Wilderness), Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, the Palm Springs Area, Urban and Desert Parks and Preserves, Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Mojave Trails National Monument.

Inside the book, you’ll find at-a-glance basics including distance, hiking time, and difficulty. Trail maps with GPS waypoints, as well as accurate and precise hiking and driving directions, help to ensure that you know where to go. Notes on which trails are suitable for kids, mountain bikers, equestrians, dogs, and backpackers allow you to find the perfect trails for your interests. Plus, stories of the area’s human history, botany, and geology provide fascinating and entertaining information. Most trips are an easy drive from San Bernardino, Ontario, Riverside, and other Southland communities—so go afoot and get afield!