Trail Overview

This well-maintained fire road takes you up to boulder basin group campsite. On the way there, you'll see some turn-outs for rock climbing and overlanding. During the winter months, trails may be impassable due to snow. Almost all vehicles could make the drive. There is cell service if needed. If you are just going for a day, the town of Idyllwild is nearby for delicious food and drinks.

Photos of Black Mountain

Want to see more?
View All Photos

Difficulty

The trail is maintained, but there are some some rocky spots, and it can get rutted.

Technical Rating

L W

Jul 14, 2026

2024 Ford F150

Open

NormalDusty

Trail was super easy most anything with a little bit of clearance could make it up. Saw multiple Subarus up there. Some pretty nice yellow post sites along the trail with great views.

Yosh Cisneros

Jul 03, 2026

Open

Normal

Easy trail for a 4x4 but plenty of stock 2WD vehicles can make it if you pick the right line and take your time on the rutted parts.

David H

Jun 06, 2026

2013 Nissan Xterra

Open

NormalDusty

Very easy, simple dirt road with some paved sections. Lots of camping and hikers. Plenty of room to pass on the bottom portion. When you get towards the end it starts getting rocky and the final few miles of the road (not highlighted in green on OnX) is very rocky with some ruts, but my stock Xterra did fine.

Jorge Serapio

May 31, 2026

Open

Normal

Trail is open. Campground is open. All yellow post sites available.

Alan McGregor

May 01, 2026

Temporarily Closed

I talked to the San Jacinto Ranger station today. They confirmed that Black Mountain Trail is closed until May 21. Camping reservations are available May 21. There is a closed gate about 2 miles up.

Memo Q.

Apr 11, 2026

1998 Toyota Land Cruiser

Temporarily Closed

Gate was closed 2 miles in. No camp spots available open either .

Josh C

Mar 14, 2026

Temporarily Closed

Closed GateSeasonal ClosurePosted Sign

Gate closed about 2 miles up the trail. Closed for Winter Season.

Isaac V

Dec 18, 2025

1998 Toyota 4Runner

Temporarily Closed

Closed Gate

After 15 minutes on the trail, we reached a closed / locked gate.

Noah Lourenco

Nov 25, 2025

2021 Toyota Tacoma

Temporarily Closed

Seasonal ClosureClosed Gate

Craig Godfrey

Oct 18, 2025

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

Trail was great. No water left from the previous rains.

Kenny Jenkins

Oct 10, 2025

1999 Lexus LX

Open

Muddy/Wet

Spencer A

Sep 28, 2025

2004 Honda Pilot

Open

NormalRough/Deteriorated

Went up in fwd with no problems. Very rutted in some places so high clearance recommended. But I saw a prius coming up as we were coming back down…

Christian E

Sep 23, 2025

2023 Toyota Tacoma

Open

Spme spots are rutted. Should be easy with a high clearance rig. Even saw some 4x2 rigs.

Kevin P

Aug 17, 2025

Open

NormalDustyWashboard

Good trail up the mountain through the trees. Plenty of room to allow opposite direction traffic to get past. Great areas to explore and several camping areas. Nice day out!

Justin Hobgood

Jul 04, 2025

2024 INEOS Grenadier

Open

NormalDustyWashboard

The trail to the overlook is easy and can be completed by almost any vehicle. The overlook is a rock outcropping on the left marked on the map as Fairview Point Scenic Viewpoint. Beyond that, you will want a higher clearance 4x4 for some obstacles. I'd give that portion of the trail a 3/10 on difficulty.