San Timoteo Canyon
🏆 Inland Empire Open Space — Future park preserving a natural canyon near Redlands
San Timoteo Canyon is a future state park property in San Bernardino County near Redlands, preserving natural open space in the rapidly developing Inland Empire. The canyon contains native chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitat along San Timoteo Creek.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | San Bernardino County, CA (near Redlands) |
| Status | Future park / in development |
| Habitat | Chaparral, coastal sage scrub |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this park open?
San Timoteo Canyon is in development. Check with California State Parks for current access status.
About San Timoteo Canyon
San Timoteo Canyon is a developing state park property in the Inland Empire east of Redlands. The canyon preserves a rare ribbon of riparian habitat and native California grassland in the rapidly urbanizing San Bernardino-Riverside corridor. The canyon is geologically significant, following the San Andreas Fault zone.
Things to Do
Nature walks, birdwatching in the riparian corridor, and enjoying open space in the urban landscape. The park is being developed with planned trail improvements. Check California State Parks website for current access information.
Getting There
San Timoteo Canyon in San Bernardino County preserves open space in the rapidly developing Inland Empire — one of America’s fastest-growing metro areas. The canyon’s grasslands and coastal sage scrub support threatened California gnatcatchers and San Bernardino kangaroo rats. San Timoteo means “Saint Timothy” in Spanish, reflecting the region’s Mission-era heritage.
Insider Tips
Inland Empire nature: San Timoteo Canyon protects a rare undeveloped corridor between the San Bernardino Mountains and the urban Inland Empire. Pro tip: The canyon is a critical wildlife linkage — connecting fragmented habitats and allowing mountain lions, bobcats, and deer to move between mountain ranges. Fossil beds: The canyon contains Pliocene-era fossil deposits — ancient camels, horses, and mastodons once roamed here 3-5 million years ago.
Best Time to Visit
Winter/spring: Green hills and wildflowers. Fall: Warm but comfortable hiking. Summer: Hot — 100°F+ in the Inland Empire. Morning: Best for wildlife spotting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wildlife corridor?
Wildlife corridors connect isolated habitat patches, allowing animals to move safely between them. Without corridors, populations become isolated and genetically weakened. San Timoteo Canyon is one of the last natural connections between Southern California’s mountain ranges — critical for species like mountain lions that need large territories.
🏜️ San Timoteo Canyon
Future Inland Empire park — natural canyon open space near Redlands.
Nearby Attractions
Redlands — 5 miles east — has the Victorian Kimberly Crest House. Riverside — 10 miles west — has the Mission Inn and UC Riverside. San Bernardino — 10 miles north — has the original McDonald’s site. Big Bear Lake — 30 miles north — has mountain recreation.
