Earthquake Trail

Earthquake Trail is a 0.6-mile paved loop at Bear Valley, a short interpretive walk through meadows and alongside a stream lined with alders and willows. It follows gentle grades past exhibits about the San Andreas Fault, with a split-fence display as its clearest payoff: the fence illustrates how far the fault shifted in the 1906 earthquake. It’s a good short stop when you want a little geology without taking on a longer hike. Allow 30 to 40 minutes if you read the exhibits; walking straight through takes about 15 to 20.

The pavement and gentle slopes keep the route simple underfoot. The path crosses meadow and runs beside the stream beneath alders and willows. About halfway around, the fence sections make the earthquake’s movement easier to picture; frame both separated sections and the gap between them if you take a photo. The loop gains roughly 40 feet, so there’s no climb to save for a payoff. It sits in the San Andreas Fault Zone, where the Pacific and North American plates scrape past each other.

Start at the northeast end of the Bear Valley Trailhead and Picnic Area lot. Its gravel section has about 210 spaces; the National Park Service recommends it to ease congestion at the roughly 50 paved spaces by Bear Valley Visitor Center. The trailhead has drinking water, picnic tables, and an accessible restroom. The asphalt was designed with wheelchair access in mind, but depressions have developed: it does not currently meet full accessibility criteria, and some wheelchair users may need assistance. Dogs, bicycles, and horses are prohibited. The route is listed for year-round access, with no reservation or trail activity fee; the park entrance fee may still apply.