If you are planning a trip to the San Bernardino Mountains and want something more meaningful than a chairlift or a souvenir shop, Wildhaven Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary in Cedar Glen deserves a spot on your itinerary. Tucked into the pines just outside Lake Arrowhead, this 35-acre wildlife sanctuary quietly does something most mountain attractions do not: it gives native, non-releasable wild animals a safe permanent home while opening its gates to visitors who want to understand the creatures that share these mountains.
Wildhaven Ranch is not a theme park, and it does not try to be. There are no roller coasters, no carnival food stalls, and no animals performing on cue for crowds. What you get instead is a guided, unhurried encounter with the indigenous wildlife of the San Bernardino National Forest — animals with genuine histories and individual personalities — led by staff who genuinely know them. It is the kind of experience that stays with you.
For guests staying in Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, or the wider San Bernardino Mountain communities, Wildhaven Ranch is roughly 19 minutes away and pairs naturally with a half-day visit to Lake Arrowhead Village, a scenic drive along Route 173, or a longer mountain weekend built around multiple destinations. The key is planning ahead: reservations are required, and visits are not available every day of the week.
What Is Wildhaven Ranch?
A Wildlife Sanctuary and Education Center
Wildhaven Ranch is a wildlife sanctuary, education centre, and visitation facility for endangered and indigenous wild animals of the San Bernardino Mountains. Operated by the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society, Wildhaven’s mission is to preserve the wildlife indigenous to these mountains and to leave a valuable natural heritage for future generations.
The sanctuary functions as a permanent protected habitat for animals that cannot survive on their own in the wild. Many residents arrived as injured or orphaned animals, were rehabilitated by wildlife professionals, and were ultimately deemed non-releasable. Rather than living out their lives in isolation, they serve as animal ambassadors — teaching visitors about native mountain wildlife, local ecosystems, and the importance of conservation in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Is Wildhaven Ranch a Zoo?
Wildhaven Ranch explicitly identifies itself as not a zoo, and the distinction matters. Traditional zoos typically acquire animals for public display. Wildhaven Ranch exists to provide a lifetime protected ecosystem for wild animals that would otherwise have nowhere to go. The animals that live here are native to the San Bernardino Mountains; their enclosures are built within and around their natural mountain habitat rather than constructed landscapes designed to mimic somewhere far away.
The relationship between the animals and their handlers is also noticeably different. These animals have been raised by dedicated staff, and that daily contact creates interactions that feel qualitatively different from what you typically encounter at a conventional animal park.
Who Operates Wildhaven Ranch?
Wildhaven Ranch is operated by the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society (SBMWS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation founded in 1994. The Society was established by Diane Dragotto Williams, who serves as Founder, President, and Executive Director. Under her leadership, the organisation has overseen the rehabilitation of thousands of wild animals and has worked with California State Fish and Game on wildlife procedures for the San Bernardino Mountains region.
Conservation, education, and animal welfare are central to everything at Wildhaven Ranch. The facility’s ability to operate relies on programme fees, donations, and community support — which is worth keeping in mind when you visit.
Where Is Wildhaven Ranch?
Wildhaven Ranch Location
Wildhaven Ranch is located in the community of Cedar Glen, just outside Lake Arrowhead, in the San Bernardino Mountains. The sanctuary has been at its current 35-acre Cedar Glen site since 2000.
The physical address for navigation purposes is 29450 Pineridge Drive, Cedar Glen, CA 92321. However, the sanctuary’s own directions advise visitors not to rely on standard GPS directions, as these can lead you astray on mountain roads. The official recommendation is to use the intersection of Hook Creek Road and Pineridge Drive, Cedar Glen 92321 as your GPS destination, and then follow the posted signage to the main gate and parking area.
The mailing address is separate from the physical location: Wildhaven Ranch, P.O. Box 1782, Lake Arrowhead, California 92352.
How Close Is Wildhaven Ranch to Lake Arrowhead?
Wildhaven Ranch and Lake Arrowhead are closely linked — Cedar Glen is a community that sits just outside the Lake Arrowhead resort area, and locals and visitors commonly refer to the sanctuary as a Lake Arrowhead attraction. For anyone already spending time around Lake Arrowhead Village, the drive to Wildhaven Ranch is short, and the two destinations work well together as a half-day outing on the mountain.
If you are based at Lake Arrowhead, you can factor in a Wildhaven visit on a Saturday morning and still have time for the Village in the afternoon, assuming programmes run on schedule. Check the official Wildhaven Ranch website for current session times before you build around it.
How Far Is Wildhaven Ranch From Running Springs?
Running Springs sits approximately 19 minutes by car from Wildhaven Ranch — which is why guests staying in Running Springs are well-placed to add the sanctuary to their mountain plans. The drive is scenic, following mountain roads through the San Bernardino National Forest, and is straightforward enough for most visitors comfortable with mountain driving.
Running Springs itself is a practical base for exploring a wide spread of San Bernardino Mountain destinations: Lake Arrowhead, SkyPark at Santa’s Village in Skyforest, Snow Valley Mountain Resort, and Big Bear are all within reasonable driving range. Wildhaven Ranch fits into that cluster without requiring a dedicated trip of its own.
Wildhaven Ranch and Big Bear
If you are staying near Big Bear, Wildhaven Ranch is reachable as a mountain day trip, though you should use current mapping tools to confirm driving times before planning around it. Mountain road conditions, seasonal closures, and traffic can all affect travel times on the Rim of the World Scenic Byway and surrounding routes.
Visitors coming from Big Bear may find it worthwhile to combine a Wildhaven Ranch visit with a stop at Lake Arrowhead Village on the same day, turning the drive into a wider San Bernardino Mountain loop rather than an out-and-back journey.
What Can You See at Wildhaven Ranch?
Native Wildlife of the San Bernardino Mountains
The animals at Wildhaven Ranch are not imported from distant ecosystems. Every resident is a native species of the San Bernardino Mountains — animals that belong here, living within a habitat that mirrors their natural environment as closely as possible. This focus on indigenous wildlife is a significant part of what makes a visit feel genuinely educational rather than simply entertaining.
Visitors learn not only what each animal is, but why that animal matters to the local mountain ecosystem, what threats native mountain species face, and what the sanctuary’s work means for the long-term health of wildlife in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Animal Ambassadors
Many of Wildhaven Ranch’s residents arrived as injured or orphaned wildlife and, after rehabilitation, were determined to be non-releasable — meaning they cannot survive independently in the wild. These animals become animal ambassadors for the sanctuary’s education programmes.
The term is apt. Animals that have grown up around Wildhaven Ranch’s handlers often display a level of comfort and engagement with their caretakers that visitors find striking. You are not watching a wild animal endure the presence of strangers. You are watching an animal with its own history, its own personality, and its own established relationship with the people who care for it every day.
Birds of Prey and Other Wildlife
Wildhaven Ranch’s residents and programme offerings can change over time, so it is worth checking the official website before your visit for the most current information about which animals are part of active programmes. Historically, sanctuary visitors have encountered black bears, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, mule deer, birds of prey including eagles and falcons, and other native mountain species.
The sanctuary has been licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to rehabilitate and care for native birds of prey, and raptors have long been a notable part of the Wildhaven Ranch experience. Learning about local predators, birds, and mammals in the context of their natural mountain habitat adds a dimension that a zoo visit rarely provides.
Wildhaven Ranch Tours and Visitor Experiences
How Wildhaven Ranch Visits Work
Wildhaven Ranch does not operate as a walk-in attraction. The public cannot simply arrive at the gate and begin exploring. Self-guided tours are not permitted, and visits must be arranged in advance through the reservation system.
This structure exists for good reason: the sanctuary’s priority is the welfare of its animal residents. Unscheduled foot traffic can disturb the animals, and the educational value of a visit depends on having knowledgeable guides leading each group. Once you arrive at the gate, visitors are asked not to wander independently, but instead to wait for the guided experience to begin.
Guided Wildlife Experiences
Guided programmes at Wildhaven Ranch provide something that self-guided visits simply cannot: context. Guides share the personal histories of individual animals, explain each species’ role in the San Bernardino Mountain ecosystem, and give visitors a framework for understanding what they are seeing and why it matters.
The sanctuary offers several programme types, and availability can vary by season, weather, and scheduling. The flagship Wings n’ Things tour gives visitors an overview of the sanctuary’s native wildlife, including the personal stories of animal residents. The Paws N’ Claws experience brings visitors up close to mammals including bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons.
Programme offerings and schedules are updated on the official Wildhaven Ranch website, which should always be your primary reference for current availability.
Bear Watch
Bear Watch is one of Wildhaven Ranch’s distinctive programmes and deserves its own mention. It allows participants to closely observe daily bear training exercises, watching as a trainer interacts with one of the sanctuary’s resident black bears.
Black bears are a real presence in the San Bernardino Mountains. They are part of the local ecosystem, and encounters between bears and mountain communities are a genuine wildlife management issue in Southern California. Watching a trained handler work with a resident bear at close range — and understanding how that animal arrived at Wildhaven Ranch and why it cannot be released — gives visitors a more grounded perspective on what it means to share a landscape with wild predators.
The Bear Watch and Eagle Walk is currently among the programmes available on Saturdays. Confirm the current schedule on the official Wildhaven Ranch website before making plans, as programme offerings can change.
Special Programs and Events
Beyond the regular Saturday programming, Wildhaven Ranch schedules special events and additional programmes at various points throughout the year. The sanctuary has offered Bears With Us presentations, wildlife classes, nature walks, flora and fauna sessions, and internship opportunities for those with a deeper interest in conservation work.
Public access can vary depending on the time of year, weather conditions, and the specific programmes being run. Checking the official Wildhaven Ranch website before you visit — rather than assuming availability — is the best approach for any visitor.
Wildhaven Ranch Reservations
Do You Need a Reservation for Wildhaven Ranch?
Yes. Reservations are required to visit Wildhaven Ranch. This applies to all public programmes and visits. The sanctuary does not accept walk-ins, and there is no general public access without a confirmed booking.
If you are building a mountain itinerary that includes Wildhaven Ranch, secure your reservation before finalising the rest of your plans. Availability on Saturdays can fill up, particularly during the warmer months when visitor numbers in the Lake Arrowhead area increase.
Can You Take a Self-Guided Tour?
No. Self-guided tours are not permitted at Wildhaven Ranch. Every visit takes place within a structured, guided programme. This is consistent with the sanctuary’s mission: the animals’ welfare comes first, and guided access ensures that visits are educational, orderly, and respectful of the animals and their environment.
How to Book a Visit
The most direct route to booking a Wildhaven Ranch visit is through the official Wildhaven Ranch website at wildhavenranch.org. You can also contact the sanctuary by phone at (909) 337-1391 or by email at info@wildhavenranch.org for questions about current availability or programme details.
Avoid relying on third-party booking platforms for the most up-to-date programme availability, schedules, and pricing. The official website and direct contact with the sanctuary will give you the most accurate picture.
What to Check Before Booking
Before confirming your visit to Wildhaven Ranch, verify the following:
| Item | Why It Matters |
| Current operating dates | The ranch is not open every day and varies by season |
| Weather conditions | Mountain weather can change quickly and affect access |
| Road conditions | Winter and early spring conditions on mountain roads can impact travel |
| Programme availability | Specific tours (Wings n’ Things, Bear Watch) may have limited spots |
| Reservation requirements | All visits require advance booking — no walk-ins |
| Age requirements | Age limits vary by programme type — confirm directly with the sanctuary for your group |
| Seasonal restrictions | Some programmes only run during certain parts of the year |
When Is Wildhaven Ranch Open?
Wildhaven Ranch Operating Schedule
Wildhaven Ranch does not operate on a conventional daily schedule. Public access is generally available on Saturdays, weather permitting, with the season typically running from spring through fall. Some Fridays are also available for certain programmes. Additional special programmes are scheduled at various points throughout the year.
The sanctuary is not open to the public on weekdays unless a reservation or special programme has been arranged. This is a deliberate part of how the facility operates, and it reflects the priority placed on animal welfare over visitor throughput.
Always check the official Wildhaven Ranch website for the current operating calendar, as dates and programme availability can shift between seasons.
Best Time of Year to Visit
| Season | What to Expect |
| Spring | Pleasant temperatures, wildflowers returning to the mountains, less crowding than summer. Good conditions for the drive through Cedar Glen. Confirm that Saturday programmes have resumed for the season. |
| Summer | The most accessible season for families and visitors from the greater Los Angeles area. Weekends can be busy in the broader Lake Arrowhead area, so book early. Comfortable temperatures at mountain elevation. |
| Fall | A strong option for visitors who enjoy cooler air and autumn colour in the San Bernardino National Forest. Mountain roads are generally in good condition before winter sets in. |
| Winter | Wildhaven Ranch advises visitors to check weather and road conditions before making the trip. Mountain snow and ice can affect access. Some winter visits are possible but require additional planning. Confirm current availability with the sanctuary before any winter trip. |
Visiting Wildhaven Ranch in Winter
Mountain winters in Cedar Glen and the Lake Arrowhead area can bring heavy snow, ice, and road closures. Wildhaven Ranch specifically advises visitors to check weather and road conditions before making the drive up. The sanctuary is expensive to operate in winter months, which can also affect programme availability during that period.
If you are planning a winter mountain trip and want to include Wildhaven Ranch, contact the sanctuary directly to confirm current access and ensure you understand the road conditions you may encounter.
How to Get to Wildhaven Ranch
Driving From Lake Arrowhead
From Lake Arrowhead Village, head toward Cedar Glen via Route 173. The official Wildhaven Ranch directions route you through Highway 173 toward Lake Arrowhead, then right on Hook Creek Road in Cedar Glen, followed by a left turn onto Pineridge Drive. Take the second street on the left and follow the paved road to the main gate, where signage will direct you to the parking area on the right.
Important: Wildhaven Ranch advises against using standard GPS navigation, as it can route vehicles incorrectly on mountain roads. Use the intersection of Hook Creek Road and Pineridge Drive, Cedar Glen, CA 92321 as your GPS waypoint and follow posted signs from there.
Driving From Running Springs
From Running Springs, the drive to Wildhaven Ranch takes approximately 19 minutes under normal conditions. Mountain roads in the San Bernardino Mountains require attentiveness regardless of season — posted speed limits exist for good reason, and conditions can shift quickly. Use current navigation tools to confirm your route, and check road conditions before departing, particularly in winter or after weather events.
Driving From Big Bear
Visitors coming from Big Bear are making a longer cross-mountain drive, and it is worth allowing extra time for traffic, road conditions, and mountain driving. Use current mapping tools to confirm travel times, as conditions along the Rim of the World Scenic Byway can vary considerably depending on season and day of the week.
Parking at Wildhaven Ranch
Upon arrival at the main gate of Wildhaven Ranch, follow the signs to the designated parking area on the right. There is a small parking area near the gate. Visitors are asked not to wander the property before their guided programme begins — waiting near the parking area until the tour commences is part of the standard arrival process.
What to Know Before Visiting Wildhaven Ranch
Wildhaven Ranch Is Not a Walk-In Attraction
This point is worth restating clearly: Wildhaven Ranch requires reservations for all visits, and the public cannot simply arrive and explore. If you are building a mountain itinerary that includes the sanctuary, book before you finalise your travel dates. Arriving without a reservation means you will not be admitted.
Are Pets Allowed?
No. Pets are not allowed at Wildhaven Ranch. The safety of the sanctuary’s animal residents depends on a controlled environment, and domestic animals on the property are incompatible with that. Leave your pets at your accommodation.
What Should You Wear?
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain
- Layers — mountain temperatures can shift significantly between morning and afternoon, and Cedar Glen sits at elevation
- Weather-appropriate clothing for the season (light layers in summer, warmer gear in fall and winter)
- Sun protection for open areas of the property
- Extra warm layers during cooler months, even if the midday temperature feels mild
What Should You Bring?
- Water — mountain air is dry and programmes involve time outdoors
- A camera or binoculars if you want to capture wildlife encounters (confirm photography guidelines with the sanctuary)
- Your reservation confirmation
- Weather-appropriate gear for the season
- Snacks if permitted under your programme — check with Wildhaven Ranch directly
Is Wildhaven Ranch Suitable for Children?
Age requirements at Wildhaven Ranch vary by programme type. Some specialised or more intimate experiences — such as those involving close contact with predator species — have historically been restricted to visitors aged 16 and older. General educational programmes may have different requirements. The sanctuary also notes that children under 2 years old can create noise that poses safety risks to animal handlers.
If you are planning a visit with younger children or teenagers, contact Wildhaven Ranch directly or check the official website before booking. Do not assume a blanket restriction applies to every programme — but equally, do not assume all tours are open to all ages without confirming first.
Why Visit Wildhaven Ranch?
Learn About Local Wildlife
There is a difference between seeing a photograph of a black bear and standing within a few feet of one, listening to a handler explain its history, its behaviour, and what its presence means for the San Bernardino Mountain ecosystem. Wildhaven Ranch offers the second kind of experience. Every animal at the sanctuary has a story, and the guides know those stories well.
Learning about native mountain wildlife in the context of a working sanctuary — rather than through signage at a conventional zoo — gives visitors a more complete understanding of how these mountains function as an ecosystem.
Support Wildlife Conservation
Visiting Wildhaven Ranch is a direct form of support for the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society’s conservation work. The sanctuary operates as a non-profit, and programme fees contribute to the costs of caring for animals that, in many cases, would have no other option. Non-profit wildlife organisations in mountain communities often operate with limited resources, and community engagement matters.
Enjoy a Different Kind of Mountain Attraction
The San Bernardino Mountains have no shortage of things to do: hiking, lake activities, ski resorts, SkyPark at Santa’s Village, Snow Valley Mountain Resort. Wildhaven Ranch sits in a different category from all of those. It is quieter, slower, and more educational. For visitors who want something beyond recreation — something that offers a genuine encounter with the mountain landscape and its native inhabitants — it is a worthwhile alternative.
Great for Families and Nature Lovers
Wildhaven Ranch appeals to a specific kind of visitor, and those visitors tend to find it memorable:
- Wildlife enthusiasts who want close encounters with native California species
- Photographers looking for guided access to birds of prey, bears, and other difficult-to-photograph mountain wildlife
- Nature lovers interested in conservation and the San Bernardino National Forest ecosystem
- Families looking for an educational mountain experience — age requirements vary by programme, so confirm with the sanctuary before booking
- Travellers who want something on their itinerary that goes beyond standard tourist attractions
Where to Stay Near Wildhaven Ranch
Why Stay in Running Springs?
Running Springs is one of the more practical bases for exploring the San Bernardino Mountains. It sits at a central point on the mountain, within comfortable driving range of Lake Arrowhead, SkyPark at Santa’s Village in Skyforest, Snow Valley Mountain Resort, Big Bear, and now Wildhaven Ranch in Cedar Glen.
For guests who want flexibility — the ability to shift their plans based on weather, road conditions, or programme availability — Running Springs makes logistical sense. You are not locked into a single corner of the mountain, and you are not spending an outsized portion of your trip on mountain roads.
Wild Olive Cabins offers cabin rentals in Running Springs that put Wildhaven Ranch approximately 19 minutes away, along with easy access to the rest of the mountain’s attractions. The cabins are a comfortable place to return to after a guided wildlife experience or a day of exploring Lake Arrowhead.
Make Wildhaven Ranch Part of a Mountain Getaway
Rather than planning a trip solely around Wildhaven Ranch, most visitors find it works best as one stop in a broader San Bernardino Mountains itinerary. A Saturday visit to the sanctuary pairs naturally with a morning or afternoon at Lake Arrowhead Village, and the surrounding mountain communities offer enough to fill two or three days without repetition.
Here is one way to organise a weekend:
| Day | Itinerary |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Running Springs. Explore local mountain scenery, visit Snow Valley or SkyPark at Santa’s Village in Skyforest. Evening in the cabin. |
| Day 2 | Morning drive to Wildhaven Ranch (approximately 19 minutes from Running Springs). Guided wildlife programme. Afternoon at Lake Arrowhead Village. Return to Running Springs. |
| Day 3 | Day trip to Big Bear for hiking, the village, or Big Bear Mountain Resort, depending on the season. Return to Running Springs. |
Adjust based on the season, weather, and what has caught your attention since arriving. The mountain has a way of suggesting its own itinerary once you are in it.
Planning a trip to Wildhaven Ranch? Book your mountain getaway at Wild Olive Cabins in Running Springs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wildhaven Ranch
What is Wildhaven Ranch?
Wildhaven Ranch is a wildlife sanctuary, education centre, and visitation facility for indigenous and endangered wild animals of the San Bernardino Mountains. It is operated by the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation, and has been in operation since 1994.
Where is Wildhaven Ranch located?
Wildhaven Ranch is located at 29450 Pineridge Drive in Cedar Glen, California (92321), in the San Bernardino Mountains just outside Lake Arrowhead. The sanctuary’s own directions advise using Hook Creek Road and Pineridge Drive as your GPS destination rather than the physical address.
Is Wildhaven Ranch in Lake Arrowhead?
Wildhaven Ranch is technically in Cedar Glen, which is a community that sits adjacent to Lake Arrowhead. It is commonly associated with Lake Arrowhead and is easily accessible from the Lake Arrowhead area.
Is Wildhaven Ranch a zoo?
No. Wildhaven Ranch explicitly identifies itself as not a zoo. It is a wildlife sanctuary providing a permanent protected environment for non-releasable wild animals native to the San Bernardino Mountains.
What animals can you see at Wildhaven Ranch?
Wildhaven Ranch is home to native San Bernardino Mountain species. Animals that have been part of sanctuary programmes include black bears, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, mule deer, birds of prey (including eagles and falcons), and other native wildlife. The sanctuary’s specific residents and active programmes can change, so check the official website for current information.
Do you need reservations for Wildhaven Ranch?
Yes. Reservations are required for all visits to Wildhaven Ranch. The public cannot arrive without a booking.
Can you walk around Wildhaven Ranch without a reservation?
No. Walk-ins are not permitted, and self-guided tours are not available. All visits take place as part of scheduled, guided programmes.
Does Wildhaven Ranch offer guided tours?
Yes. Guided programmes are the only way to visit Wildhaven Ranch. Options have included the Wings n’ Things tour, Paws N’ Claws, Bear Watch and Eagle Walk, Bears With Us presentations, and private or up-close encounter tours. Check the official Wildhaven Ranch website for current programme availability.
Is Wildhaven Ranch open year-round?
The sanctuary’s public programming generally runs on Saturdays, weather permitting, from spring through fall. Winter visits are possible but require additional planning and confirmation, as mountain weather and road conditions can affect access. Check directly with the sanctuary for current availability.
Is Wildhaven Ranch open on weekends?
Public programmes are generally scheduled on Saturdays, with some Friday availability for certain programmes. The sanctuary is not open to the general public on other days of the week unless a special programme has been arranged.
Can children visit Wildhaven Ranch?
Age requirements vary depending on the programme. Some specialised experiences — particularly those involving closer contact with predator species — have historically restricted access to visitors aged 16 and older. Other general programmes may accommodate younger visitors. The sanctuary notes that children under 2 years of age can create noise that poses safety risks to animal handlers. Always confirm age requirements directly with Wildhaven Ranch before booking, as policies can differ by tour type and may change between seasons.
Are dogs allowed at Wildhaven Ranch?
No. Pets are not permitted at Wildhaven Ranch.
How do you get to Wildhaven Ranch?
From the Lake Arrowhead area, take Route 173 to Cedar Glen, turn right on Hook Creek Road, then left on Pineridge Drive. Follow the paved road to the main gate and follow signs to the parking area. The sanctuary advises against using standard GPS navigation — use the intersection of Hook Creek Road and Pineridge Drive as your waypoint instead.
What are the best things to do near Wildhaven Ranch?
Lake Arrowhead Village is a natural pairing for a Wildhaven Ranch visit, offering waterfront dining, shopping, and lake views just a short drive away. SkyPark at Santa’s Village in Skyforest, Snow Valley Mountain Resort, and the hiking trails of the San Bernardino National Forest are all within reasonable range of Cedar Glen.
Where should you stay when visiting Wildhaven Ranch?
Running Springs is a convenient base, sitting approximately 19 minutes from Wildhaven Ranch with access to the broader spread of San Bernardino Mountain attractions. Wild Olive Cabins offers vacation rentals in Running Springs well-suited to mountain getaways that include Wildhaven Ranch as part of a wider itinerary.
How far is Wildhaven Ranch from Running Springs?
Approximately 19 minutes by car under normal driving conditions.
How far is Wildhaven Ranch from Big Bear?
The drive from Big Bear to Wildhaven Ranch in Cedar Glen crosses several sections of mountain road on the Rim of the World Scenic Byway. Use current navigation tools to confirm drive times, as conditions can vary by season, weather, and day of the week.
Plan Your Wildhaven Ranch Visit From Running Springs
Wildhaven Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary earns its place on a San Bernardino Mountains itinerary. It is not the loudest or most obvious attraction in these mountains — and that is part of its appeal. For visitors who want a genuine encounter with the wildlife that belongs to these mountains, the sanctuary offers something that hiking trails and ski resorts simply cannot.
A few things to keep in mind as you plan:
- Reservations are required. Book through the official Wildhaven Ranch website before finalising your travel dates.
- Check the current schedule. Public programmes generally run on Saturdays, weather permitting, from spring through fall. Some Fridays are also available.
- Check road and weather conditions. The sanctuary itself advises this, and mountain weather can shift quickly regardless of the forecast.
- Allow for the drive. From Running Springs, the journey takes approximately 19 minutes. Factor in mountain road pacing and parking time.
For guests who want a comfortable base that puts Wildhaven Ranch, Lake Arrowhead, SkyPark, Snow Valley, and Big Bear all within reach, Running Springs is worth considering seriously. Wild Olive Cabins offers cabin rentals in Running Springs positioned at the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains — close enough to everything that matters, quiet enough to feel like a genuine retreat.
A Mountain Weekend Worth Planning
There is a version of a San Bernardino Mountains trip that checks every usual box — ski resort, lake view, village shops — and there is another version that slows down enough to actually notice the mountains themselves. Wildhaven Ranch fits into that second version.
A weekend anchored at Wild Olive Cabins in Running Springs gives you the flexibility to build that kind of trip: a Saturday guided wildlife programme at Wildhaven Ranch, an afternoon strolling around Lake Arrowhead Village, a morning hike on the way back, dinner in the mountains, and the kind of quiet that reminds you why people come up here in the first place.
The mountains have a way of rewarding visitors who plan well. Reserve your spot at Wildhaven Ranch, book your stay early, and give yourself enough time to actually be in the landscape rather than just passing through it.
