Hike the Suicide Rock Trail (Idyllwild)

7 miles - Moderate Effort
3-4 Hours (Total)
1,830 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 7,420 feet
No Dogs Allowed

Hiking the Suicide Rock Trail gives you the big mountain feel without climbing the big mountains. You'll have to hike uphill on the Deer Springs Trail, through the oaks that give way to pines as you get higher. The payoff is a massive slab of granite with views of the mountains surrounding you. Although you are in San Bernardino National Forest, it feels like you could be at Yosemite.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Suicide Rock Trail
Getting the Free Suicide Rock Trail Permit
Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Oct 2024 Gear

Permits for the Suicide Rock Trail

You need a free permit to hike to Suicide Rock. The first stop you should make is the San Jacinto Ranger Station in the town of Idyllwild, less than a mile from the Deer Springs Trailhead. Use this address:
San Jacinto Ranger Station, 54270 Pine Crest Ave, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 2 — Here's the San Jacinto Ranger Station. Parking is in the lot in front of the entrance.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 3 — Look for the board in front of the entrance to find the permit. You can show up here 24 hours a day. The permits are outside that station.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 4 — You want the "all other trails" permit.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 5 — Fill out the permit, and then leave the white copy in the box at the board. Keep the yellow copy with you.

Where is the Suicide Rock Trail?

After you have the permit, make your way 0.8 miles to the Deer Springs Trailhead here:
Deer Spring Trail, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 6 — There's a medium-sized parking area at the Deer Springs trailhead. Parking is free; no parks pass or Adventure pass is needed.

Gear For the Hike

This is an "all-seasons" hike. In the summer it can be hot, and in the winter the trail can be covered with snow and ice. If you are hiking in a season when there's snow, check the excellent San Jacinto Trail Report website for current conditions. If the trail is snowy or icy and you don't have experience in those conditions, give the hike a try another time.

Otherwise you'll want to bring at least 1L of water. The hike is largely shaded but can be warm. Trekking poles are helpful on the slopes if you have them. In the summer there can be bugs; have some insect repellant on hand just in case.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service. Review here.

Topo Pursuit 2The best hiking footwear I've ever owned. No blisters. Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.

Garmin Epix ProHiking maps, route info, and fitness stats on my wrist. Review here.

Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.

Check out the complete list here. ( Updated October 2024)

Suicide Rock Trail Maps

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 1 — Keep your eyes open for logs, sticks, and rocks that block off unofficial side trails.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Hike The Suicide Rock Trail Elevation — It's all uphill on this hike. You get occasional breathers when the gradient eases up, and overall the climbing is steady without any very steep sections.

3D Map

Why is it Called Suicide Rock?

Historic Idyllwild — The name "Suicide Rock" has nothing to do with actual suicides, but instead, early tourists like these guys from the 1880s. Photo Idyllwild Area Historical Society

The history of the name is a bit sketchy, but according to the local oral history shared by USFS Rangers, this is roughly how it goes.

In 1884 Helen Hunt Jackson wrote a best-selling book called Ramona. To sum it up, the book is a love story featuring a romanticized view of Southern California and the struggles of the Native peoples.
The novel was a huge hit and tourists flocked to visit the sites mentioned in the book. Books like Through Ramona's Country served as guides to the locations in the story, some of which were in the San Jacinto area. If you had a location with a romantic Native American story behind it, you could probably make a buck on tourism.
Idyllwild locals, looking to capitalize on the fad, dubbed the big granite area "Suicide Rock" because it was allegedly where a Native princess and her lover committed suicide after being ordered to split up. This had nothing to do with the book Ramona and is likely totally made up, but hey, the name was probably dramatic enough to lure in a few tourists.
The name first appears officially on the 1957 USGS quad map of Palm Springs.

Suicide Rock From Tahquitz — If you look at Suicide Rock from the other side of the valley (here from the Tahquitz Peak hike), you can see the vertical cliffs.

Suicide Rock Hike Directions

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 7 — Look for the wide path leading up from the right side of the parking area.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 8 — Climb up the wide path as it bears left, avoiding any small side trails.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 9 — Keep hiking until you see the large sign. The Deer Springs Trail starts on the right side of this area.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 10 — The large sign informs hikers about the permit, which you should have already. The permit is good for the two parks that the hike goes through: San Bernardino National Forest and San Jacinto State Wilderness.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 11 — Right from the start the Deer Springs Trail climbs.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 12 — Overall the trail is a mix of sandy soil and rocks. Some sections offer a switchback to ease the grade.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 13 — At just under a mile you'll reach the border of the state park. Keep hiking up to the left.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 14 — Here's the San Jacinto State Park sign up close.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 15 — As you climb you'll get glimpses through the trees of the surrounding mountains, including Tahquitz Peak ahead.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 16 — There are level sections to catch your breath.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 17 — At about 2 miles in you'll reach the junction of the Suicide Rock Trail. Make the right.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 18 — Here's the sign from the junction. It's actually a little longer than 1 mile to Suicide Rock.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 20 — This section of trail is not as steep as the beginning.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 19 — You'll get nice views of Lily Rock, where modern free climbing was born in the 1930s.

In the 1950s the Yosemite Decimal System, the rating system used for rock climbing difficulty, was invented by climbers using Lily Rock.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 21 — As you continue, the summit of Suicide Rock comes into view.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 22 — Cross over Marion Creek at the gully.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 23 — After crossing the creek you'll leave the state park and reenter the National Forest.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 24 — Now you have to hike one last short steep section to Suicide Rock.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 25 — And here you are! This big slab of granite is Suicide Rock.

If you want to summit Suicide Rock, just hike up through the trees on the right of the last photo. There's no summit marker. It's just a pile of rocks in the trees. I usually skip it.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 26 — You'll get postcard-perfect views of Lily Rock and the surrounding mountains.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 27 — There are lots of areas to explore in search of the perfect snack spot. Just be careful around the edges.

Suicide Rock Trail Directions 28 — And that's it. Once you're done at Suicide Rock, just hike back the way you came.

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide? Join my Patreon and ask me a question.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.
Do you have an update to this guide? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to update the guide.

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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!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.