Pine Creek Wilderness
Yes, a permit is required to visit Pine Creek Wilderness. Pine Creek Wilderness is a 13,260-acre wilderness area in San Diego County, California. It rises from about 1,600 to 4,417 ft. The nearest town is Pine Valley, 2.7 miles away in a straight line.
Pine Creek Wilderness map
Pine Creek Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Yes, a permit is required to visit Pine Creek Wilderness.
- The maximum group size at Pine Creek Wilderness is 15.
- Campfires are prohibited.
- Pine Valley, CA is the nearest town, 2.7 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Pine Creek Wilderness is about 4,417 ft, and its lowest about 1,600 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Red Top, about 3,217 ft.
Who manages Pine Creek Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 13,260 | permit required for overnight stays. | 15 | Not on record | Descanso Ranger District, 619-445-6235 |
Getting to Pine Creek Wilderness
- Pine Valley, CA is the nearest town, 2.7 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-29)
Trailheads at Pine Creek Wilderness
- Horsethief Trailhead (0.02 mi outside the boundary, 2,474 ft), at 32.7467, -116.6685
- Bear Valley Trailhead (0.97 mi outside the boundary, 3,879 ft), at 32.8166, -116.5319
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-29. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Pine Creek Wilderness
- Red Top summit
- Nelson Canyon canyon
- Pothole Canyon canyon
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-29. Summit elevations measured on the USGS 3DEP elevation model, which can read a few feet under a surveyed summit height.
Public lands next to Pine Creek Wilderness
- National forestPine Creek Wilderness lies inside Cleveland National Forest.
- Wilderness areaHauser Wilderness is 0.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in California
- https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=457 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n33w117/USGS_1_n33w117.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/GeographicNames/DomesticNames/DomesticNames_CA_Text.zip (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_06.txt (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_InfraRecreationSites_01/MapServer/0 (accessed 2026-09-29)