Facility Overview
P+R Lot 847 is a dedicated public commuter surface lot situated at 23484 Lake Drive in Crestline, California. Operated under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans District 8), this facility serves as an essential park-and-ride junction perched near the crest of the San Bernardino Mountains. The parking area features approximately 34 designated open-air parking stalls arranged on a paved asphalt surface. Because it is a level open-air lot with no overhead barriers, structures, or parking decks, there are no vertical clearance restrictions, making it exceptionally accommodating for standard passenger cars, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and rooftop gear-equipped mountain adventure vehicles.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Strategically positioned where Lake Drive connects with California State Route 138, this lot functions as the western gateway to the mountain communities of the Rim of the World region. Visitors parking here enjoy convenient proximity to key regional attractions:
- Lake Gregory Regional Park: Located just over 1 mile east along Lake Drive (approximately a 3-minute drive or scenic stroll), offering trout fishing, swimming, waterslides, and walking trails around the lake perimeter.
- Crestline Historic Town Center: Situated within 1.5 miles, featuring vintage antique shops, local mountain bakeries, cozy coffee houses, and neighborhood dining options.
- San Bernardino National Forest Trails: Multiple hiking, biking, and off-road trailheads branch off nearby ridges within a 5 to 10-minute drive.
- Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area: Situated roughly 11 miles north via Highway 138, providing boating, camping, and watersports.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Access to P+R Lot 847 is direct and straightforward from Lake Drive, situated immediately off the junction of State Route 138 (SR-138) and within quick reach of State Route 18 (Rim of the World Highway). Ingress and egress points are designed for smooth vehicle flow even during mountain commute peaks. The lot also serves as a strategic boarding point for regional public transit, connecting travelers to Mountain Transit bus lines that run scheduled routes linking Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, and down the mountain toward San Bernardino transit centers.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Open-Air Surface Parking: Level asphalt ground layout with clearly painted stall striping.
- No Height Restrictions: Open headroom allows tall SUVs, four-wheel-drive trucks, and vehicles with rooftop ski or bike racks to enter without restriction.
- Transit Intermodal Access: Direct pickup and drop-off access for carpoolers, vanpools, and regional Mountain Transit bus routes.
- ADA Accessible Stalls: Designated accessible parking spaces positioned near the paved ingress/egress areas.
- Round-the-Clock Accessibility: Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for commuters and outdoor enthusiasts.
Ideal For
- Daily Commuters: Drivers carpooling or taking transit down into San Bernardino, Riverside, and the greater Inland Empire valley.
- Lake Gregory Visitors: Day visitors looking for an alternative meeting spot or carpool staging area before heading into the lakeside village.
- Outdoor Recreationists: Hikers, anglers, and mountain bikers consolidating vehicles before exploring backcountry trails in the San Bernardino National Forest.
- Winter Weather Staging: Mountain travelers needing a convenient rendezvous point to organize snow chains or consolidate into four-wheel-drive vehicles during winter conditions.
Visitor & Driver Tips
As a state-operated Caltrans commuter facility, spaces are generally available on a first-come, first-served basis without advance reservation fees. Commuters typically fill spots during early weekday mornings, so arriving early guarantees the best selection of stalls. If you are visiting during winter storms, always verify Caltrans chain requirements for Highway 138 and Highway 18 before departing, and ensure your vehicle is equipped with appropriate winter traction gear. Note that overnight camping or recreational vehicle habitation is strictly prohibited.