Sunrise Parkway

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Sunrise Parkway is a scenic road located in the state of California that offers breathtaking views and a range of attractions for visitors.


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Summary

It stretches approximately 31 miles through the San Bernardino Mountains, connecting the towns of San Bernardino and Crestline. Here is a summary of the key information about Sunrise Parkway based on multiple independent sources.

Reasons to Visit:
1. Scenic Beauty: The parkway offers stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape, including panoramic views of the San Bernardino Valley and the majestic San Bernardino Mountains.
2. Outdoor Recreation: The area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with numerous opportunities for hiking, biking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
3. Historic Route: Sunrise Parkway follows the historic path of the Old Waterman Canyon Road, which was once the primary route connecting the inland region to the desert cities.
4. Peaceful Escape: Visitors can enjoy a peaceful drive through a tranquil setting away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Points of Interest:
1. Glen Helen Regional Park: Located near the southern end of the parkway, this beautiful park offers picnic areas, fishing ponds, nature trails, and a wildlife sanctuary.
2. California State University, San Bernardino: Situated alongside the parkway, this campus boasts a stunning backdrop of the mountains and is home to the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art.
3. Old Waterman Canyon Road: Historic markers and remnants of the old road can be found along the parkway, providing an insight into the past.
4. Crestline: The northern terminus of Sunrise Parkway, Crestline is a charming mountain community known for shops, restaurants, and access to Lake Gregory, which offers water activities such as fishing and boating.

Interesting Facts:
1. Sunrise Parkway was officially designated as a scenic highway in 1957.
2. The road was originally constructed in the late 1800s to facilitate travel and transportation in the region.
3. Sunrise Parkway is part of the larger Rim of the World Scenic Byway, which offers a network of scenic roads throughout the San Bernardino Mountains.
4. The parkway's elevation ranges from approximately 1,000 feet at the San Bernardino end to 4,720 feet at the Crestline end.

Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Sunrise Parkway is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is mild and the landscape is colorful. Spring brings blooming wildflowers, while fall offers vibrant foliage. Summers can be hot, so it's advisable to plan outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon.

Please note that it's always recommended to check current conditions, road status, and any restrictions before visiting Sunrise Parkway, as these may vary.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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