Lower Bear Campground

Took 9 Scouts and 3 leaders out here April 27 and April 28 2024. Stream is flowing very strongly, trail is not very well worn yet this season after the strong rains this spring. Bring extra socks and shoes. You will NOT be able to avoid getting wet, at least until the creek calms down a little. That being said, it's a beautiful walk, and a great setting.

This is a good easy 2 mile hike. In April 2022, the stream was flowing strongly. Your feet will probably get wet, so be sure to bring dry socks/shoea. The trail was overgrown in parts, though at most crossings there were ribbons indicating the proper path. At most crossings, the real trail headed slightly away from the creek, but there was a "false trail" along the bank. Lots of poison oak, some patches which were un avoidable. There seem to be two campgrounds that might be considered "Lower Bear". The lower one is on the west side of the creek under some oak trees, with a kitchen area near some boulders ( it is possible to climb up to the top of the boulders to get a nice view), about 2 miles from West Fork trailhead. The second is about another 0.25 mile -- another 4 crossings, also on the west side -- in a really wide flat section of the valley, where the creek takes a wide U to the east . The trail was easily lost after the last crossing , and the area is large enough that it was easy to miss the ruins, until turning around at the next crossing...the real trail heads closer to the canyon wall. That area is the "official" site noted on USFS maps, and has the ruins of an old stone building. I think this might be a slightly larger flat area, though was pretty overgrown in April 2022 (after the area has been closed for 2 years)

Love this place! Everyone should visit this amazing spot. Spend the day around beautiful trees and fresh running water, where you can see an occasional deer or other wildlife. Great place for kids to play in the water and parents to have a great relaxing day dipping your feet in the cool running river. This is my go to spot when I can’t think of where else to go hiking!

I carved this wooden knife there at 14 years old, I'm now 60 years old. We found beer one time, shoot them with our BB guns. At age 18 we brought our own beers. Good memories!

Good experience. The trail get loose on places but just follow the river. The campground is abandoned. Look like no one is been there long time ago.