Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area and Nature Center
Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area and Nature Center
Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area and Nature Center
4.5
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
2 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
57 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
19
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Harold W
Upland, CA546 contributions
May 2020
Most visitors take the 1-mile trail that leads you down to the bottom of the "punchbowl". There are excellent views of the unusual rock formations, and in the spring (if there has been ample winter rains), wildflowers and a flowing stream. This trail is steep in spots, so hiking shoes are needed and hiking poles are helpful if you are accustomed to using them. The visitor center was closed due to covid-19, but the trails were open.
Written 27 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JBRetired
Apple Valley, CA489 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
For those concerned and wondering about the condition. We went by there last week.
Unfortunately this beautiful place is a long way ( if ever) from opening after the Bobcat fire burned through here. The signs from the 138 give no indication it still closed. When you arrive the gate is locked and everything is burned. Here is to better days. My rating is based on how it used to be.
Unfortunately this beautiful place is a long way ( if ever) from opening after the Bobcat fire burned through here. The signs from the 138 give no indication it still closed. When you arrive the gate is locked and everything is burned. Here is to better days. My rating is based on how it used to be.
Written 22 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank M
Long Beach, CA526 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
The round trip is 7.4 miles and takes roughly three hours to complete for an intermediate hiker. The first 0.9 miles from the trailhead is a gradual incline. Signs to Devil's Chair are well positioned. At the trail fork (take the left fork) the trail remains relatively flat until just after the 3.0 mile marker. Then there is a series of ups and downs followed by a decidedly descending trail. At the trail fork (again veer left) Devil's Chair is just another 0.2 miles. Once at destination, Hikers are rewarded with spectacular views. Take plenty of water and a snack or picnic. Fine for children who are experienced hikers, however, not advised for under 12 years of age.
Written 31 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RLHINCA
Myrtle Beach, SC136 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Been here a few times. The small building has various local animal and area information. The rangers inside are very nice, friendly and informative. You can tell they love their job. Then there's a ton of hiking and exploring to do. Went to the Devil's Chair twice. It's a pretty good hike. I belive 8 miles round trip. If you go in the summer, beware as it's hot as hell!!! Take tons of water and wear a hat and sunscreen. Best to go when the weather is mild or even colder. Check it out. It's FREE, too!!!!!
Written 30 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James C
East Los Angeles, CA38 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
Friday, Nov 10, 2017 was a no school day, we decided to take a family trip to Devil's Punchbowl for a half day outing, Personally, I will do whatever it takes to avoid amusement parks especially when we can experience nature. The drive from the Los Angeles area is approximately 75 miles each way, there is some stop and go traffic along the 5 freeway but once you cross over to Highway 14, speeds increase. The exit to Pearblossom is a nice drive up to the site area, the town has a nice rural feel.
The nice thing about this Los Angeles County facility is that it is free to enter and enjoy. Parking is limited to about 30-40 cars, we only saw 6 parked vehicles when we arrived. There are restrooms but it may be best if you stop by the McDonald's on the way up. There is a small visitors center with live snakes and tarantulas behind glass along with a stuffed coyote and fox to view. They have two live owls outside in large cages for viewing, our favorite was the larger one named Squint, he actually hooted for us.
The Devil's Punchbowl is a deep canyon caused by the earth's compression along the San Andreas fault, this is what keeps our state from staying flat (like Kansas) but also gives us earthquakes. The hiking trail is a loop, as long as you follow the trail markers and use common sense, it is a safe hike that you can take kids above the age of 7. Most of the trail is easy to moderate though you can lose your footing on steep declines, wearing hiking shoes is suggested over sneakers. The trails do not have hand rails and there are signs of erosion along the path, you need to be careful of these hazards and mind your children or anyone in your party that may slip and fall down hill.
Once you reach the bottom of the canyon, the only way back to your car is uphill. I would say the level of difficulty on the way up is mild to moderate depending on your level of fitness and this is definitely a good way for you to get your daily cardio exercise. Try to avoid the hottest part of the day if you can, hiking this canyon after 3pm is much nicer than 12 noon. It took our family about 90 minutes to finish off the loop but we also stopped for photos, looked around, and be still for the peaceful silence.
Due to the condition of these trails, we only rated this location a 4 out of 5 in but please don't let this discourage you from visiting this place. You will still have a nice experience with your visit here but just use common sense. Everyone in our group felt better after visiting this canyon.
Tip #1: watch your speeds on the way back from the canyon to Highway 14, there is a slight decline to the road and it is easy to exceed the posted speed limit. Unfortunately, we saw many vehicles pulled over by the California Highway Patrol - this area is a speed trap! Use your cruise control by setting it near the speed limit if you can on the way back. A speeding ticket with fines and fees will easily be over $100 in CA not to mention the traffic school or the possible increase in your auto insurance policy.
Tip #2: most of your kids will probably be hungry after the drive up and short hike, there is an In-n-Out Hamburger restaurant on the way back on Highway 14, you cannot miss it.
The nice thing about this Los Angeles County facility is that it is free to enter and enjoy. Parking is limited to about 30-40 cars, we only saw 6 parked vehicles when we arrived. There are restrooms but it may be best if you stop by the McDonald's on the way up. There is a small visitors center with live snakes and tarantulas behind glass along with a stuffed coyote and fox to view. They have two live owls outside in large cages for viewing, our favorite was the larger one named Squint, he actually hooted for us.
The Devil's Punchbowl is a deep canyon caused by the earth's compression along the San Andreas fault, this is what keeps our state from staying flat (like Kansas) but also gives us earthquakes. The hiking trail is a loop, as long as you follow the trail markers and use common sense, it is a safe hike that you can take kids above the age of 7. Most of the trail is easy to moderate though you can lose your footing on steep declines, wearing hiking shoes is suggested over sneakers. The trails do not have hand rails and there are signs of erosion along the path, you need to be careful of these hazards and mind your children or anyone in your party that may slip and fall down hill.
Once you reach the bottom of the canyon, the only way back to your car is uphill. I would say the level of difficulty on the way up is mild to moderate depending on your level of fitness and this is definitely a good way for you to get your daily cardio exercise. Try to avoid the hottest part of the day if you can, hiking this canyon after 3pm is much nicer than 12 noon. It took our family about 90 minutes to finish off the loop but we also stopped for photos, looked around, and be still for the peaceful silence.
Due to the condition of these trails, we only rated this location a 4 out of 5 in but please don't let this discourage you from visiting this place. You will still have a nice experience with your visit here but just use common sense. Everyone in our group felt better after visiting this canyon.
Tip #1: watch your speeds on the way back from the canyon to Highway 14, there is a slight decline to the road and it is easy to exceed the posted speed limit. Unfortunately, we saw many vehicles pulled over by the California Highway Patrol - this area is a speed trap! Use your cruise control by setting it near the speed limit if you can on the way back. A speeding ticket with fines and fees will easily be over $100 in CA not to mention the traffic school or the possible increase in your auto insurance policy.
Tip #2: most of your kids will probably be hungry after the drive up and short hike, there is an In-n-Out Hamburger restaurant on the way back on Highway 14, you cannot miss it.
Written 11 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lucinda
London, UK81 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
The Punch bowl name, I get it, the short trail with 1 mile length is really a giant bowl-shape basin that's punched by some huge troll long time ago. Really fun and not that hard for any age. The rocks are easily to be explored and sighted in any viewpoint. And the Devil's Chair one is 3.5 miles long and take some time if you're not a senior trail walker. Need to pass nearly 1 mile dessert path, easy but dull since not so much splendid view and change. The following 1.5 miles is covered by trees and with view points along which makes it more pleasant. The last 0.5 mile is a little tough due to the slope, but totally worth it with the view point at the end. And there's also a spot not on the trail but I consider it as the real devil's chair since it looks more like it. Oh, don't forget to bring coat, the woods part is really cold now especially near sunset. And I think no need to say why it's important to get down before sunset.
Get there early, before 11:00 I guess, just 40 parking tops, so~
Get there early, before 11:00 I guess, just 40 parking tops, so~
Written 26 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marisa
Palmdale, CA28 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
This is a beautiful place to walk; however, some of the uphill areas can be very difficult. The scenery is beautiful - make sure you bring a camera! Trails are marked well, and sometimes deer will come out to graze. Great place for animal and nature lovers!
Written 22 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunrise
Pittsburgh, PA75 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
I saw the sign for Devil's Punchbowl on my drive into the mountains. It was well worth the detour.
My first stop was the visitors center, a small spot filled with area animals, including many live snakes behind glass. I was reassured that it was too cold for them to be out on the trail. The staff directed me to the mile-long loop trail, saying an hour was needed.
I was concerned about how much daylight I had left, so I pushed it to finish in 40 mins. That may have been a bit ambitious since I probably didn't take enough time to soak in the beauty of the canyon. It was a great workout though. I met some nice people who got me back on the trail when I veered off.
Overall, make this stop. Lovely find!
My first stop was the visitors center, a small spot filled with area animals, including many live snakes behind glass. I was reassured that it was too cold for them to be out on the trail. The staff directed me to the mile-long loop trail, saying an hour was needed.
I was concerned about how much daylight I had left, so I pushed it to finish in 40 mins. That may have been a bit ambitious since I probably didn't take enough time to soak in the beauty of the canyon. It was a great workout though. I met some nice people who got me back on the trail when I veered off.
Overall, make this stop. Lovely find!
Written 9 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MoeFagan
Pearblossom, CA5 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
It is a beautiful place to visit in all seasons. We share it with friends when they visit our area. It is so much nicer than driving to the city to some amusement park! A Natural treat.
Written 29 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thibbs1955
Santa Clarita, CA328 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
Devils Punchbowl in Pearblossom Ca is a real nice place to take the family. It has a few hiking trails from easy to difficult. The one mile loop down in the Punchbowl itself is a little step at times however worth the struggles. The is also a nice little Nature center one can take the little ones to and see snakes and other wildlife from the area.
Written 6 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
From what I’ve hiked, no. I haven’t made it all the way to Devils Chair so I don’t know if there is a picnic spot at the end. There are plenty of places to stop and eat but the aren’t actual designated picnic areas.
Written 29 April 2018
Cristina Weaver
Littlerock, California
Yes. I've seen several parents take their infants. Depends on your comfort level. There isn't very much protection against the sun.
Written 16 September 2017
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing