Tucked away in the little San Bernardino Mountains is a unique desert oasis known as the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve This lush landscape is one of 10 largest cottonwood and willow riparian habitats in California, and located 30 miles from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. The preserve is 31,000 acres and elevations range from 600 feet on the canyon floor to 3,000 at the top of the ridge. It is also a natural habitat for animals including mule deer, desert big horn sheep and bobcats.