Consisting of 2,851 acres (11.54 km2) of land in Riverside County, California, the preserve features the perennial Whitewater River flowing through a desert canyon.

The preserve is located within the San Bernardino Mountains and is part of the Sand to Snow National Monument.

The preserve has hiking trails, picnic areas, a restroom, a walk-in campground, a wading pool, and a Ranger Station Visitor Center.

Heading north on the PCT, destinations include Red Dome, the Mission Creek Trail junction, and the San Gorgonio Overlook.

The problem is further complicated in that the preserve has limited parking and can't accommodate everyone who wants access to water.

The Whitewater River flows year-round from San Gorgonio Mountain down a canyon into the desert, eventually reaching the Salton Sea.

The preserve is surrounded by the Bureau of Land Management's San Gorgonio Wilderness and is within the Sand to Snow National Monument.

The water level underground can vary 10 feet depending on whether there have been heavy rains or a lengthy drought.

[11] In 2016, President Obama designated Sand to Snow National Monument, which includes this preserve.