Outdoor Recreation Options Abound in the Victor Valley
Anchored by Adelanto to the northwest, Hesperia to the south, Apple Valley to the east and Victorville in the center, the main cities of the Victor Valley cover a sizable area in south-central California. And with moderate year-round temperatures, lots of sunshine, and a diverse desert and mountain landscape, enjoying the outdoors is the rule, not the exception.
“Outdoor recreation activities are affordable ways for families to spend quality time together,” says Donna Meester, Victorville’s director of community services. “Children can also learn a lot from a hike, whether it’s about vegetation, conservation or animal interaction.”
With numerous parks and trails to choose from, here are some outdoor destinations locals favor in the Victor Valley.
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Mojave Narrows Regional Park
Located southeast of downtown Victorville, this large, centrally located park is easy to reach from all corners of the valley. What was once a farm has been turned into a desert oasis, featuring lakes, lush vegetation and more than 1,500 species of wildlife.
“It’s a park where you can experience all four seasons,” says Beahta Davis, director of regional parks for San Bernardino County. “In spring, it’s green with beautiful pastures, and you might see cows, as there’s a grazing program.”
Along with equestrian and hiking trails, other recreational highlights include a playground, climbing rocks, a splash pad and a disc golf course. There’s also year-round camping and fishing.
Victorville Mojave Riverwalk
This paved route is great for biking, jogging and walking a leashed pet.
“It’s very natural looking,” Meester says. “You kind of feel like you’re on a nature hike, rather than a track.”
Running along the Mojave Riverbed for about 4 miles, the Mojave Riverwalk connects Victor Valley College and Mojave Narrows Regional Park. It also joins with bike routes that pass through downtown Victorville.
Rockview Nature Park
Located north of Victorville and east of Adelanto, this stunning park features a desert landscape with trees, large rocks, an outdoor amphitheater, an indoor nature center, a gazebo and views of the surrounding valley “It’s a unique and fabulous area,” Meester says. “Personally, it’s very nostalgic. It reminds me of fifth-grade camp.”
The park is only open for private use, making it a rustic, memorable venue for a birthday party, family reunion or wedding.
Bonita Vista Hiking Trail
Located south of Apple Valley in the southeastern part of the Victor Valley, this trail offers a moderate workout for hikers and mountain bikers. The quiet and peaceful route follows a ridge with great views of grassy hillsides, canyons and the valley below.
Mojave River Forks Regional Park
This primitive park lies south in Hesperia, just as the valley gives way to the San Bernardino Mountains. “It has its own desert beauty to it,” Davis says. “There’s a lot of sand and open space with absolutely beautiful hiking and equestrian trails. The best thing is the beautiful open sky. At night, you can see so many stars and planets.”
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
Mojave River Forks Regional Park is also one of several places in the Victor Valley where outdoor enthusiasts can access the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. It’s one of the most beloved hiking and backpacking routes in the U.S., zigzagging from Canada to Mexico while passing through mountain ranges along the Pacific Coast.
San Bernardino National Forest
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail also travels through parts of this national forest. The San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains form the southern boundary of the Victor Valley. And with mountain peaks as high as 11,500 feet above sea level, the San Bernardino National Forest offers a welcome respite from summer desert heat.
Hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, hunting, fishing and riding ATVs and dirt bikes are popular activities. There’s fun to be had on the water, too. Silverwood Lake is the closest major lake to High Desert communities, and a nifty partnership between California State Parks, the California State Library and local libraries saves residents money.
“You can check out a park pass from the public library and gain entry to Silverwood Lake for free,” Meester says.
New Parks Provide More Outdoor Opportunities
The region will soon unveil two new parks. In Apple Valley, athletic fields at an old school are being transformed into a 12-acre site with football and soccer fields, a baseball diamond and a running track.
McConnell Park will also include two picnic shelters, a dog park and an aviation-themed playground. The park is scheduled to open in late 2025 after years of planning and a successful state grant application.
“We were thrilled to receive $8.4 million in funding,” says Debbie Rivera, Apple Valley’s director of parks and recreation. “We’re overjoyed to provide such a vital and long overdue resource for the community.”
The park is named after a former town resident and war hero, Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr., one of the most decorated pilots in U.S. Air Force history, says Sarah Krieg, Apple Valley’s public information officer. A ribbon cutting for McConnell Park is planned for Veterans Day 2025.
Bellflower Park
Though construction hasn’t started yet and its features and amenities haven’t been finalized, the development of Adelanto’s new Bellflower Park is well underway.
“The park is projected to open in 2027,” says Anita Itnyre, Adelanto’s public information officer. The city is turning an undeveloped area into the 3-acre park.
Bellflower’s location was chosen to serve a residential area that lacks a walkable park.
“Green space and outdoor activity areas are proven to enhance quality of life,” Itnyre says. “They give families safe places to gather, enjoy healthy lifestyles and strengthen community bonds.”