Dry Lake (San Gorgonio) From The South Fork Trail

11.5 miles - Hard Effort
5-6 Hours (Total)
2,330 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 9,000 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

Dry Lake, nestled in the shadow of San Gorgonio Mountain, is a beautiful day hike or overnight camping destination. This hiking guide to Dry Lake takes the scenic South Fork Trail, which is well maintained with gradual slopes. And despite being called Dry Lake, it often has water in it, making for a pristine alpine oasis in the mountains of Southern California.

In this Guide:

Video & Turn by Turn Directions to Dry Lake
How to Get to the South Fork Trail
Permits & Camping for Dry Lake
Everything You Need to Know To Prepare for the Hike

Quick Links: San Bernardino National Forest - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Nov 2022)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

How to Get to the South Fork Trail

The South Fork Trailhead (officially known as South Fork Trail 1E04) lies about 2.5 miles off of Rt 38, close to the town of Angelus Oaks. Use this trailhead address:
South Fork Trail 1E04, 40800-40894 Jenks Lake Rd W, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305

There are other South Fork Trails in Southern California, so make sure you are going to South Fork Trail 1E04 by Angelus Oaks.

You need a parks pass or Adventure Pass to park in the lot here.

South Fork Trailhed Parking Lots — When you get to the parking lot, make the hard right and drive up to the upper parking area close to the bathrooms.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 2 — The upper lot is next to this trail board and bathroom structure.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 3 — Between all of the lots at the South Fork Trailhead, there is a ton of parking.

Day Hike Permits

Day use permits were recently reinstated. The permits are free but controlled by a quota. That means last-minute hikes are generally out of the picture, but there will be less crowds out on the trail. You can fill out a hike permit and email it in here.

Gear for the Hike

This is a backcountry hike and I recommend having proper hiking gear. Unless it's very dry, there are some small stream hop-overs, so waterproof boots can help. And trekking poles are good on the slopes, both up and down.

And because you are in the high mountains, there can be snow here in the winter, making the hike a much different experience. Do the hike when it's clear of snow if it's your first time. Leave the more challenging conditions for when you have experience in the area.

I waste my time with lousy hiking gear so you don't have to. Only the winners get onto my gear page. There's no fluff, sponsorships, or promotions. It's just gear I personally use, have tested, and recommend. Right now I'm liking my inReach Mini 2, Garmin Epix, and Lone Peak 6 shoes.
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South Fork Trail to Dry Lake Trail Maps

Overall the trail is well maintained and easy to follow. The South Fork Trail is one of the more popular trails, and generally gets attention from the Forest Service. That being said, there are often trees down over the trail because of all the fire damage (more later). Most big trees can be scooted over on your butt or walked around.

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Elevation Profile

Dry Lake Hike Elevation — The first part of the hike is steep, and then there's a mellow stretch in the middle that almost feels flat. After that it's a climb to the lake. There's about 2100 feet of elevation difference between the South Fork Trailhead and Dry Lake.

3D Map

Hike Brief

Dry Lake Hike Directions 38 — Lot's of instructions at the trailhead. Here's what you need to know.

You don't need a permit to do the day hike, but it's recommended that you fill out a free one online so that the Forest Service can help understand trail demand (and potentially fund more trail work). It's also a great safety precaution.
The 2015 Lake Fire devastated this area, and you'll be hiking through the aftermath of it for much of the hike. The burned (and dead) trees that you see will eventually fall. The fire has let to erosion and occasional washouts of the trail. Keep an eye out for any trail detour signs as you hike.
Dry Lake is actually man-made. It was originally a swamp. In 1883 an early mountain pioneer named Vincent Taylor dammed up the outlet to form the lake.
Dry Lake often has water in the spring and early summer (depending on the snowfall).
The creek you cross on the hike, the South Fork of the Santa Ana River, eventually flows out to the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach.

Camping at Dry Lake

Dry Lake Hike Directions 28 — Here's the view that you wake up to when you camp at Dry Lake. As you can imagine, it can be a popular spot.

If you want to camp at Dry Lake, you need an overnight permit that you fill out online and email. You may be rejected if demand is high. Dry Lake is a popular camping spot so I recommend applying as early as you can.
You'll also need a campfire permit (even for a little camping stove) which you can get for free online. No open campfires are allowed, just your little camping stove.
Please only camp in the designated camping areas and leave the other areas alone.
If Dry Lake is actually dry, you can try nearby Lodgepole Spring for water. It's generally reliable, but I'd call the ranger's office to check.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 30 — There's a camping map sign on the Dry Lake loop trail.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 32 — Some areas are explicitly marked "no camping."

Dry Lake Hike Directions 31 — There are lots of established camping areas from the thousands of folks who've been here before.

South Fork Trail to Dry Lake Hike Directions

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Video Directions

Turn by Turn Directions

Dry Lake Hike Directions 4 — Head past the bathrooms in the parking area.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 5 — Cross Jenks Lake Road and start the trail.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 7 — The South Fork Trail and Dry Lake is part of Sand to Snow National Monument.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 6 — Shortly after the start, stay left at the detour.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 8 — And you'll start climbing right away.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 9 — The climb is steep in the beginning as you hike through the new-growth manzanita and burned trees.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 10 — There are some sections where the steep gradient mellows out and you can cruise.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 11 — After about 1 mile in you'll reach Horse Meadow off to the left. Explore the cabins if you'd like, then continue right toward Dry Lake.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 37 — Horse Meadow used to be a ranger outpost before the time of cars (it closed in the 1950s). From here rangers would patrol the forest and do timber surveys. In more recent years it was staffed by volunteers who would help hikers.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 36 — If you need to take refuge from the weather, you can pop into the cabins here.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 12 — Continue through Horse Meadow.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 13 — Cross the dirt road.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 14 — Soon after the road you'll reach this junction for Poopout Hill. Let's make the quick detour to Poopout Hill.

Poopout Hill was not named after a bowel movement. It was named that because it's the first place where you can see the summit of San Gorgonio, and when early travelers saw how far they'd have to go to hike it, they'd "poop out" of the effort here and turn around.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 15 — The end of the side trip is a small circle of stones that used to house interpretive displays.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 16 — The real highlight of Poopout Hill is the San Gorgonio Wilderness sign that sits perfectly aligned with San Gorgonio Mountain.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 17 — After the side trip to Poopout, head back to the trail where you will pass another San Gorgonio Wilderness sign. This starts the easier middle section of the hike.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 18 — As the hike meanders up the South Fork you'll get some nice views of Sugarloaf Mountain across the valley.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 19 — At the junction with the (little used) Lost Creek Trail, stay to the right.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 20 — The trail gets rocky and starts to climb. It will be a steeper climb from here until you get to Dry Lake.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 21 — At the trail junction, make the left to Dry Lake (not the right to Dollar Lake).

Dry Lake Hike Directions 22 — There are several small stream crossings here. All of them have rocks and logs to help you across.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 23 — After the last stream crossing you'll start climbing up the eastern side of the valley, away from and above the stream.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 24 — There are several long switchbacks as you climb up the side of the valley. You'll start to get glimpses of the high peaks again.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 25 — Eventually the trail will rejoin the stream at the top of the valley. From here it's only a short way to the lake.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 26 — Dry Lake! You made it! Let's do the loop hike around the lake to the left. You'll be coming back out on the right side.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 29 — The trail winds around the lake and through the camping areas.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 33 — At the junction for Lodgepole Spring, keep right to continue circling the lake.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 34 — Some of the trail on the lake loop is a bit of a "choose your own adventure" but as long as you circle the lake you'll be fine.

Dry Lake Hike Directions 35 — Toward the end of the loop the trail becomes defined again and you arrive back at the start.

And that's it. Just return the way you came from here and enjoy the downhill.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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