San Mateo Canyon Wilderness
Yes, a permit is required to visit San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. San Mateo Canyon Wilderness is a 39,412-acre wilderness area in Riverside County, California. It rises from about 415 to 3,568 ft. The nearest town is Lakeland Village, 1.8 miles away in a straight line.
San Mateo Canyon Wilderness map
San Mateo Canyon 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 San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.
- The maximum group size at San Mateo Canyon Wilderness is 15.
- Campfires are prohibited.
- Lakeland Village, CA is the nearest town, 1.8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in San Mateo Canyon Wilderness is about 3,568 ft, and its lowest about 415 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Miller Mountain, about 2,930 ft.
Who manages San Mateo Canyon Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 39,412 | free permit required for overnight stays. | 15 | Not on record | Trabuco Ranger District, 951-736-1811 |
Getting to San Mateo Canyon Wilderness
- Lakeland Village, CA is the nearest town, 1.8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-29)
Trailheads at San Mateo Canyon Wilderness
- San Juan Loop Trailhead (0.15 mi outside the boundary, 1,963 ft), at 33.6127, -117.4266
- Wildomar Trailhead (0.22 mi outside the boundary, 2,513 ft), at 33.5883, -117.3416
- Morgan Trailhead (0.5 mi outside the boundary, 2,850 ft), at 33.6336, -117.3827
- Tenaja Trailhead (0.78 mi outside the boundary, 2,009 ft), at 33.5097, -117.3675
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-29. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in San Mateo Canyon Wilderness
- Miller Mountain summit
- Aliso Canyon canyon
- Bluewater Canyon canyon
- Cold Spring spring
- Dobe Spring spring
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 San Mateo Canyon Wilderness
- National forestSan Mateo Canyon Wilderness lies inside Cleveland National Forest.
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=524 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n34w118/USGS_1_n34w118.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)