Inyo National Forest

Recreational Activities - Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Schulman Grove Visitor Center Destroyed by Fire

Although the visitor center is completely gone, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest remains open to the public to visit and explore. Staff are available at Schulman Grove to answer questions and to help the public to best enjoy this land of the ancients. Much sadness abounds amongst the world-wide community that has loved and enjoyed the Schulman Grove Visitor Center..........and many are already thinking and strategizing about how to see it rebuilt.

The Methuselah Trail has the been re-opened!

Inyo National Forest Staff would like to thank the many many well-wishers who have called and emailed expressing their condolences and asking how they can help. Stay tuned to this website for updates on information. As of September 16 the cause of the fire is still under investigation. News Release >>>

Visitor's Center

Getting to the Bristlecone Pine Forest

The road into the Bristlecone Pine Forest is usually open from mid-May through sometime in mid-November, snow dependent. Conditions can vary greatly from year to year with snow pack and weather. The visitor center is staffed 7 days a week from mid-June through the end of September with reduced staffing in May and October. During the summer months there are many activities to choose from while visiting the bristlecone forest. The Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center offers ranger-led programs, exhibits, picnic areas, a natural history film, interpretive talks, a bookstore and three interpretive trails.

To get to the Bristlecone Pine Forest turn east on State Highway 168, one half mile north of the town of Big Pine, CA, which is 15 miles south of Bishop, CA. Travel east on 168 about 12 miles until you reach the top of Westgard Pass, which is a long flat plateau rather than steep mountain pass. Turn left on the White Mountain Road, which is the only paved road turn off in this area; it is clearly signed to the Bristlecone Pine Forest. Follow this paved road 10 miles until you find the turn off and parking lot to the Schulman Grove Visitor Center, trails and the magnificent bristlecone pine trees. The road is paved the entire way, and is a bit steep and windy in parts. Smaller motor homes/campers can make the trip without trouble; large motor homes might find the road a bit challenging. There is the Pinyon Picnic Area and interpretive trail about half way along the road should you want to stop, restrooms are available at that site.

During the summer months' bottled water and very limited snacks are available at the visitor center so it is best to bring your own food, drinks, a hat, sunscreen, and warm clothes - anytime of the year it can turn chilly at 10,000 feet. Keep in mind that dehydration can be a problem in this high dry environment so your choice of drinks would be best if it included more water and sports type of drinks rather than sodas. Dogs are welcome in the bristlecone pine forest and on the trails, they need to be on leash and please clean up after them. Naturalist programs and documentary film showings are presented daily at Schulman Grove during the summer months.

Camping is not allowed in the bristlecone forest but there is a campground only 5 miles south of the forest along the White Mountain Road. The Grandview Campground is situated among Pinyon and Juniper trees and is a favorite dark sky campground of local astronomers. Water and trash service is not available at Grandview, there is a voluntary maintenance "fee" of $3.00 per day/site and reservations are not available. Collection of firewood is allowed in the pinyon pine forest adjacent to the Grandview Campground but any collection of wood in the bristlecone forest is strictly prohibited.