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.

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Difficulty

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

Technical Rating

David H

Jun 06, 2026

Open

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

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

Alan McGregor

May 01, 2026

Open

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

Open

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

Josh C

Mar 14, 2026

Open

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

Isaac V

Dec 18, 2025

Open

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

Noah Lourenco

Nov 25, 2025

Open

Craig Godfrey

Oct 18, 2025

Open

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

Kenny Jenkins

Oct 10, 2025

Open

Spencer A

Sep 28, 2025

Open

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

Open

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

Kevin P

Aug 17, 2025

Open

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

Open

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.

Nino Corral

Jun 04, 2025

Open

Black mountain was my first trail I’ve ever done and was very easy. A stock truck can easily make it to the top. Once you get to fuller ridge it gets more technical and fun. Overall great beginner spot

James Garcia

May 25, 2025

Open

I have a 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness stock 9.2 inch clearance, no issue going up the trail. Did not have to deflate tires or use X Mode. Trail was open about ten people/vehicles seen up at the top camping. Trail was not hard even seen a sprinter van camping on the lower half. Great trail for beginners. There are people coming both directions in vehicles but there is plenty of room to pass. Some hikers were seen.