idyllwild nature center

We enjoyed the Idyllwild Nature Center recently while on a two night mini vacation to Idyllwild. It was rainy and snowy the first two days that we were there, but the day we were leaving, it was a beautiful, sunny (but cold) day. We decided to hit the nature center before we left town and were glad we did. It is a compact center filled with interesting exhibits and a few live reptiles and, of course the obligatory gift shop. The staff was very friendly and helpful and directed us towards a short hike near the center which led to some breathtaking views of the snow covered mountains and the valleys below. There are also longer hikes that start at the center, but we were not equipped for a longer hike. We would definitely recommend the center to anyone interested in the history and ecosystem of the area.

This is a county park. The $3 per person fee is also good for admission to any other Riverside County park (Hurkey Creek, for example) on the same day.The center has excellent displays and is staffed by friendly, knowledgeable people. For birders there are several reasons to come here. White-headed Woodpecker and Band-tailed Pigeons can be found here in February (the only time of year I've been here). Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, Dark-eyed Juncos, Acorn Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, and Williamson's Sapsucker are present.A hike along the easy 3/4 mile nature trail is a good way to seek many birds and learn about the natural history of the area. Sitting quietly on the deck watching the bird feeders is a pleasant way to spend part of your visit here. If here at mid-day, you may have a White-headed Woodpecker work a tree overhead while you picnic.

We visited this Center and were very impressed with the knowledgeable Center staff who explained to us the delights of the San Jacinto mountains. There are some exhibits aimed only at children but we were fascinated with the stuffed exhibits of mountain lion, bear and Bob cat as well as many other smaller mammals and lots of birds. We then strolled around the Nature Loop through the peaceful forest. The sun glinted through the pines, the mountain air was crisp and fresh and the sky was the most brilliant blue. A wonderful memory which will stay with us forever. The Center is well worth a visit.

Great easy to moderate hiking. Nice displays in nature center. Good option for family outing. Fabulous viewpoints from many locations along the trails. Short drive from town center.

Enjoy an excellent afternoon in the mountains and visit this wonderful nature center. It changes with the seasons and offers exhibits for all ages. Whet your appetite there for a walk on one of the many local trails or just relax and enjoy the sound of the wind in the trees. You will never forget having been to this nature center. Admission fee....cheap!!!

You're able to access a good variety of hiking trails, both easy and difficult. The only problem was that out on the trail there was a sign that had come out of the ground and had been propped up against a tree stump. The signs were pointing in the wrong direction, so some people had taken the wrong directions to trails they weren't prepared for. Opps! People there are very nice.

This is a great, beautiful place to hike. Especially, if you have little ones, you can choose how difficult you want the hike to be and the views are wonderful. I would highly recommend.

Went for the Monarch Butterfly exhibit and release. They were in a special tent and had a lot. The event was also selling Milkweed and had information on the Butterflies. All of the volunteers were knowledgeable. The visitors center was well done on had good exhibits. A nice place to visit and hike. Fee is $3.00 per person. Lots of parking.

We paid our 3 dollars at the gate and went in to look around the center building. While looking at the displays of stuffed local wildlife, in their former lives, and reading the display explanations we met one of the docents. As luck would have it he was extremely knowledgable. He was doing a training of one of the new employees and invited us to tag along. We took the short trail and listened in to his descriptions of the points along the way. Do get a tour! You could walk this quarter mile and miss everything. Did you know that Jeffery Pines smelled like vanilla? They do!

There are a variety of small live creatures to hold and behold. Staff was very forthcoming with information and interaction with the center. Pelts to touch, microscopes to view, and videos presented by decendents of the first people in the area. I think it's a great little museum and you could spend a good hour there if you took the time to read & take in the displays. Our favorite item is the North American Lion skull. The grounds has various levels of walking trails - dirt so expect that. We have a great jogging stroller with air filled tires that I sepcifically got for offroading trails like this. Great for bird watching and other wildlife there. We saw a mama squirrel chirping away, a tortise, lizards, and a variety of birds. Clean restrooms. Lots of picnic tables, shade, and trees. Well worth the minimal price of a couple of bucks per person. We went for Mother's Day with my parents and our toddler. Great fun for all ages.

Very nice place to stop and walk some trails and see some scenic views around Idyllwild. The nature center has a few nice exhibits.

Looking for a good hike, we stopped here for a quick overview of the area and ended up discovering several great trails, of varying difficulty, that leave right from the Nature Center. We embarked on the Summit Loop Trail, which was advertised as roughly 1.6 miles. It seemed MUCH longer, but was a fantastic, challenging, and scenic hike! Completely recommended. The Nature Center charges $2 per person and $1 for dogs for use of the trails and grounds. Their maps are a little confusing (and possibly misleading) but the trails are well marked. There are picnic tables on the Nature Center grounds and it would be a great, serene place to have a picnic lunch. The Center itself is pretty small with some stuffed cougars, owls, rattlesnakes, etc. on display. Nothing too exciting for us. It would probably be more interesting for kids. Nonetheless, do the hikes. Great intro to the beauty of Idyllwild!

We loved the walk up the road from the first car park up to the visitors center because of the expansive views. Midweek, this park was peaceful and just what we wanted for an introduction to hiking in the area. The indoor, informative nature center was an added bonus and I highly recommend it for all ages. Beautiful examples of local birds and animals. We saw lots of birds on our quiet walk.

We were surprised that this Nature Center has more than just a single nature trail. There are several miles of fairly easy trails you can traverse in the park.... excellent hiking for little ones, too. We didn't spend that much time in the actual center, but the staff was friendly in asking some questions. A modest day-use fee can be paid at the honor box, or in the nature center (if open).There is a parking lot at the top of the hill - right off of Hwy 234. You can park here and walk down to the Nature Center, or you can drive down to the mail parking lot next to the center.

Idyllwild has so much outdoor beauty to offer and the local Nature Center represents it well. It is situated within the crossroads of many trails that are easy to follow. Staff are friendly and quick to share their knowledge of the area.