San Bernardino National Forest

Looking to get off the grid? Head on out to Santa Rosa Springs Campground. This cozy campground only has three primitive sites available—perfect for hardcore campers looking to truly get into the wild. Campsites are tucked away right in the heart of the San Bernardino Forest, with no buildings around for miles. You’ll come back recharged and ready Read more...

If you’re feeling the need to retreat into the wilderness, Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites is the perfect haven away from the busy busy world. These are primitive spots located deep in the San Bernardino Forest, but in exchange for the lack of amenities you’ll be rewarded with super secluded campgrounds, few crowds, and good old fashioned peace and q Read more...

California’s epic San Bernardino National Forest has a lot to brag about… we’re talking breathtakingly gorgeous mountains, countless tall trees, and some unique plants and animals, thanks to the high altitude. You’ll find all of this and more at Black Mountain Yellow Post Sites. These super rustic walk-in sites are shaded under lofty pines, and so Read more...

Free camping? You heard (erm, read) right! If you don’t mind roughing it for a few days, but want to save some valuable cash, Tool Box Springs is a great spot tucked deep into San Bernardino Forest. This is a seriously remote campground, but isn’t that what camping is all about? All you need is some gear, food, and water—and maybe a friend or two— Read more...

Tucked away in the depths of the San Bernardino Forest, Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Sites are a cozy haven away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Feel totally secluded in the woods with with no amenities except a campfire pit. Hardcore campers will be stoked to truly experience life outdoors without any creature comforts. In exchange, you Read more...

"Time to ditch the technology and embrace some wildly freeing nature? We’ve got the perfect spot. Tucked away in the San Bernardino National Forest, Marion Mountain Campground offers all the outdoor adventures you need, from great hiking trails to blister-worthy rock climbing spots. If you are feeling up to it, you can explore the 11. 8-mile Mario Read more...

"Nestled in an aged grove of oaks, you’ll find plenty to do around Fern Basin Campground: just enough rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking trails to keep everyone happy. The best part about this spot (other than the killer camp vibes, of course)? There’s a grocery store just a few miles away, so you can make those last minute whiskey runs. B Read more...

"WANTED: 100 nomadic party animals. If that’s you and 99 of your closest pals, what are you still doing staring at your computer? Sound the alarm and get the gang at the ready, cause Black Mountain Group Campground is calling. Don’t even get us started on the views: the desert divide below, San Jacinto Mountains, and as far as the San Gabriel Moun Read more...

"If you like to keep your camping primitive, Boulder Basin Campground is a must. You’ll find yourself inhaling deep breathes of fresh mountain air muddled with the sweet smell of ponderosa and sugar pines. This is also the prime spot for you mountain biker, hiker, and bouldering fanatics. For some killer views of your mighty mountain friends, head Read more...

Hoo boy. Pinyon Flat Campground is a good one, yet is still lesser known than other spots in the San Bernardino Forest. Pitch your tent in one of a handful of primitive campsites, and surround yourself with cacti and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. If you fancy exploring the desert a bit, you’re close to both the Cactus Spring and Pinyon Read more...

Prepare your flashlight to tell your spookiest story, because San Gorgonio Family Campground offers campfire programs over summertime weekends. With the Greyback Ampitheater and Flats Visitor Center, it's the perfect spot to entertain the fam. Revel in those fancy flush toilets, warm showers and drinkable water, because it'll make your trip with y Read more...

Fire up the grill and crank up the tunes, Skyline Group Campground is the perfect spot if you're geared toward a group getaway! Make good use of those picnic tables and communal fire ring to forge that special outdoor adventurer bond. Vault toilets and drinking water will save you the hassle of some of the more primitive campsites around.

When the mercury rises, soothe that summer sizzle and get outa town. Head up to the South Fork Family campground for your next summer outing and beat the heat at 6400-feet elevation to surround yourself with cooling trees and mountain air. This first-come, first-served campground is perfect for a not too far outdoor getaway from the metropolis of Read more...

If someone's told you you've always got your head in the clouds, they may be right if you're staying at Pikeknot Family Campground. Clocking in at an altitude of 6,900 feet high, you can definitely live out all your high-minded ideals in this spot. Trek the trails, bike them, or fish to your heart's content. With opportunities such as shopping ava Read more...

Get a glimpse of the Pacific Crest Trail up close and personal without having to lug a pack on your back to do it. The Mission Springs PCT Camp is a small and remote primitive area, where you can refuel your inner wildside and get away from the crowds. Horse corrals are available for the equestrians, but you can bring a car too. The PCT is not far Read more...

Get away from the city sprawl, and out into another world for a while. You can have your pick of first-come, first-served, primitive sites at Coon Creek Yellow Post camping area. The dirt road to get there is a bit rough so why not bring your high clearance vehicle (or your friend who owns a truck), to make it easy on yourself. Check fire restrict Read more...

So you’d like to enjoy the sweet solitude of the Big Bear Lake area and throw a party, too? Boulder Campground gives large groups exclusive dirt-road access to camping right on the lake, along with vault toilets, space for tents and campers, and a grill for cooking out. Fish or boat on the water, hike in the surrounding deep forest, or just lie un Read more...

Book your next family reunion at Tanglewood Group Camp, a secluded destination tucked among dense forest in the Holcomb Valley that still provides you with your fair share of California sun. Kids will adore the rich (no pun intended) history of gold mining in the area, and everyone will love having access to hiking trails and fishing at Big Bear L Read more...

The sheer expanse of the San Bernardino National Forest means that conditions are extremely variable. Before departing on your excursion into the wilderness, be sure to double check on the National Forest Website for the latest news and updates that might be pertinent to you. Take a look the campsite and trail closures as well as alerts on road cl Read more...

Where our horse owners at? If you've got your own Black Beauty, you're already qualified to camp at Heart Bar Equestrian Group Campground. Trot around this pony palace complete with toilets, drinking water, and spots to park your camping trailer. Surrounded by the beautiful rugged landscape of San Bernadino National Forest, your equine friend will Read more...

Nestled between Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, Green Valley Family Campground is a pretty sweet refuge if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Take in that crisp mountain air and fish like the outdoorsperson you were always meant to be. With Green Valley Lake only a mile from the site as well, your family won't run out of things Read more...

Experience dispersed camping at the Keller Peak Yellow Post Sites. Put on your primitive pants if your planning a stay here. The only amenities that come with these sites is the site itself. That means bring your own water and prepare to pop a squat! Keep in mind, what it lacks in amenities it makes up for in sights, lack of sounds, and peaceful s Read more...

Crabby kids? That's blasphemy at Crab Flats Campground. Who can be upset when they’re surrounded by huggable tall pine, oak, and cedar trees? And especially when they’re whizzing through miles of prime OHV trails for the picking (9. 7-mile Redonda Ridge Trail and 26-mile Holcomb Valley Road, to be exact). Wanna take the tykes fishing? Secure the a Read more...

If you’re all about embracing Mother Nature in all her concrete-void glory, then look no further than Juniper Spring Group Campground. Striped of everythin-’n’-everything post-industrial revolution, this campground offers a back-to-basics retreats. Make sure you’re completely stocked-up for this primitive retreat. Bring your walking stick and favo Read more...

Sit up straight and eat your dinner on a real table for a change. When you are thru-hiking the PCT something this small could seem like luxury. With a couple picnic tables to set up shop at the Arrastre/Deer Springs PCT Trail Camp is worth stopping for. You can finally organize your gear, and cook your meals like a normal human being again. Now if Read more...

Oh, so you think you know about Oso? Well, just as a refresher, Oso Group Campground is located right along Highway 38 in a lovely pine forest. Amenities include drinking water, pedestal grills, picnic tables plus shared fire rings and flush toilets. Firewood is available at nearby San Gorgonio Campground for those that like the night life. Keep y Read more...

Set amongst the pine trees of the San Bernardino National Forest, Lobo Group Campground is modest site featuring a pedestal grill, picnic tables, drinking water, a group fire ring and flush toilets. Nearby recreational opportunities include hiking or fishing at Jenks Lake and the Santa Ana River. This site is open May through September.

Looking for a true test on your ninja-like dexterity? Get in on the target ranges and off-highway vehicle trails near Ironwood Group Campground. At over 6,000 feet, this site is the perfect spot to grill up some grub and enjoy it around a crackling fire. Toilets are close, but showers are a bit farther. If you can only rough it so much, consider s Read more...

That sweet smell of pine isn't coming from your car freshener, it's from the legit source at Council Group Campground. Take in that fresh air and enjoy a couple modern amenities such as toilets and drinkable water. Whether you're camping in a trailer or a tent, this campground will accept you with open arms.

"Set the beast within you free, but just not your equine. The Green Spot Equestrian Group Campground wins the horseshoe game in campground niche-filling; it provides an escape for both you and your hoofed quadrapod. Aside from the copious amounts of open space located within the campground limits, Green Spot Equestrian Group also provides fantasti Read more...

Feeling like you want to start roughing it a little more, but not quite ready to throw on your backpack and head into the hills? The Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post sites might be just the thing. A rough and unpaved road takes you to a remote area with a small number of primitive sites where there are no amenities to speak of except for fire ri Read more...

Ancient trees surround each site in the Holcomb Valley Campground—just north of Big Bear Lake—giving this pastoral area an air of solemnity and seclusion. Named for a grizzly hunter-cum-gold prospector in 1862, this idyllic location is busting at the seams with archeological treasures and artifacts from years past, so packing in/packing out is ess Read more...

Feeling a little fed up with the suburban car camping and crowds? At Clark’s Ranch Yellow Post site it will be just you and the wild as there is only a single first-come, first-served spot on offer. You can really find your solitude here with nobody to bother you with their noise and questionable camp etiquette. It is located near the Santa Ana Ri Read more...

“That’s the power of Pinesol, baby. ” Buttercup Group Campground is located in the pine-scented outskirts of the San Bernardino National Forest, just a skipping stone away from Big Bear Lake―two miles, to be exact. The campgrounds offer a plethora of easily accessible hiking and biking trails, as well as its fair share of picnic-savvy open spaces. Read more...

Be the hero in your group of friends by treating everyone to a memorable getaway at rugged, peaceful Deer Group Campground, where you can all enjoy the feeling of being freshly and fully alive among the densely-packed pines and conifers. Take advantage of hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing, or stick close together in your own private area with v Read more...

Tumble into your own enchanted forest at Hanna Flat Campground. An ideal family or group destination with multiple site and reservation options including first-come, first-served, you can make it all up as you go along. Enjoy hiking and biking on numerous trails in the dense wooded areas, or indulge in fishing and boating at Big Bear Lake. The cam Read more...

If you’re looking for a place to glamp, Horse Springs Campground ain’t it. This semi-desert area tops in at 5,800 feet above sea level, and provides visitors with the opportunity to achieve complete serenity without distraction. Bring plenty of food to grill—after a day of wildlife viewing, it’s best to grab a seat next to the fire ring and watch Read more...

"Wanna really get away from it all?" The dense forest of the Big Bear Lake area already provides plenty of natural privacy, but you can take that a step further with Bluff Mesa Group Campground, which offers just a handful of sites and sparse amenities, including vault toilets but leaving water and trash up to you. Come as you are and enjoy exclus Read more...

After a long day on the trail, you might feel like a winner by stumbling into the hike-in only Doble PCT Trail Camp. A table means that you won’t have to squat and get a back ache to make your dinner for a change. And, you won’t have to squat to use the bathroom for that matter. Livin’ large in the wilderness, its all a matter of perspective.

"Round up 40 of your closest friends and scramble over to Tent Peg Group Campground for a weekend you won’t forget. We’re talking bomb BBQ, round-the-campfire-shots, and plenty of sweet, sweet Mother Nature. Just a short drive away you can find prime fishing, swimming, and boating spots at Green Valley Lake. How does some legit off-roading sound? Read more...

Load up some film in that vintage camera that's been sitting in the back of your closet, because Shady Grove Campground was made to be photographed. This stunning location in the mountains of Southern California offers infinite opportunities to rock climb, hike, and take a peek at elusive birds. With comfy amenities such as drinking water, restroo Read more...

Put that bike rack on your car to use and load it up for the awesome trails around Serrano Campground. This family-friendly site offers a plethora of activities, from hiking and fishing to boating and biking. With picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, and the ever-coveted flush toilet, the only thing this campsite is missing is you. Hop to, b Read more...

Get lost in that beautiful oak-y vibe at the Heart Bar Family Campground. This spot is the perfect place to bring your little ones in tow without sacrificing the rugged feel of outdoors camping. Warm up your favorite food on the campfire ring and enjoy eating on your own picnic table. Drinking water, toilets, and parking spots make it super conven Read more...

Gray's Peak Group Campground has a one-up on the 'mile high club' at an altitude of over 7,000 feet. Get your groove on in your favorite tent and then light up the BBQ grill and fire ring. Hike your way up to Butler Peak Fire Lookout, or work those thighs and go by bike instead. Be prepared to rough it a little, as treating water and bringing your Read more...

On Cheryl Strayed’s old stomping grounds? Come crash for the night at Little Bear Springs PCT Trail Camp. Rest is key so spend your time here doing just that. Fancy for a PCT camp, Little Bear Springs even has a restroom. Ah the little things! Campers keep in mind, this camp is hike-in only, and has few amenities. Unless you have everything you ne Read more...

This weekend, take a digital detox in the piney woods of the North Shore Campground. Located just miles from the San Bernardino National Forest, North Shore Campground provides miles of scenically sound hiking trails. And, just twenty-short-minutes from the rental facilities at Lake Gregory, you’re just a short drive away from your next big fishin Read more...

"Pack your bags and start hiking, cause you’ve got a 2. 5 mile trek before you get to Fisherman’s Group Campground. The further the trip the better the spot, right? That’s certainly true for this beauty. Tucked away underneath hearty forest, you’ll find yourself right on the bank of Deep Creek. Plenty of sexy pine, oak, and cedar trees for huggin’ Read more...

Hiking 18 miles a day ain’t easy, and we’re sure by the time you get to Bench PCT Trail Camp (hike-in only), you’re gonna care less what’s around you, but we’ll clue you in anyways. Two campfire rings await under a forest of green, and that's all folks. Oh so primitive and oh so sweet to rest your exhausted feet. Get a good nights rest, which we’r Read more...

Revel in a pine forest haven at Big Pine Flat Equestrian Campground. This spot is perfect for living out all of your wild west fantasies. Scale those rugged mountains atop your horse and feel that wind breeze in your hair. With picnic tables, drinking water and toilets, it's got all the comfort without sacrificing any of the rustic feel. Listen to Read more...

Recommended for those who brave the epic Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Holcomb Crossing PCT Trail Camp is equipped with campfire rings only. Understandably so, these sites are made for through hikers that keep everything they need on their backs. This one is hike-in only, so if your looking for your standard car camping experience this is not the pla Read more...

You hear that? It is the mountains calling you, and you must go. Why not bring the whole family while you’re at it. Big Pine Flat Family Campground is an easy jaunt from the So-cal sprawl, and you will feel worlds away once you arrive at the 6820-feet elevation campground. First-come, first-served status for tents and 30-foot RVs means that you do Read more...

They don’t call it the Rim of the World for nothing. Winding more than 100 miles through the San Bernardino Mountains, this scenic byway boasts some of the best views in Southern California. And just off the route lies Barton Flats Campground, offering a few awe-inspiring vistas of its own. Just 25 miles from Big Bear Lake, this family-friendly ca Read more...

Located amongst beautiful thickets of trees, Dogwood Family Campground is certainly a breath of fresh air. Hike the trails a mere 15 minutes away from Lake Gregory, then take advantage of boating, fishing, and even water slides (yes, water slides) available. If the showers, flush toilets, and campfire rings just aren't fancy enough for ya, sneak o Read more...

At the core of San Bernardino National Forest, and less than 2 hours from LA, you’ll find the tasty fresh oasis that is Applewhite Campground. Two loops provide diverse camping options: the smaller loop having the better view of Lytle Creek Canyon, the larger having more shade and bigger sites. A short walk across the street to the Applewhite picn Read more...

Want to go somewhere that truly feels like the middle of nowhere? Despite their seemingly remote location, Joe Elliot Yellow Post Sites are just about an hour away from L. A. … perfect to soak up some last minute camping vibes! With no amenities, it’s easy to get back to nature in these unbeatable desert surroundings.

Set up camp at one of the Coldwater Canyon Yellow Post Sites, and get a feel for the unique, raw beauty in San Bernardino Forest. This is the perfect spot to recharge. The campground is first-come, first-served, and tucked away from the summer crowds. Spend your days exploring this awe-inspiring landscape, and your nights gazing at the starry sky. Read more...

Looking for somewhere to go to just… be? Escape the summer crowds found in so many other camping spots, and retreat into the wilderness at Gobbler’s Knob Yellow Post Sites. These sites are tucked away in the San Bernardino Forest, and if you’ve got a hankering for some hiking, the epic Pacific Crest Trail is nearby. Rustic camping at its finest!

Why not take a break from everyday life, set up camp, and recharge? Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites are a great spot to get back to nature. These remote campgrounds can be found deep in San Bernardino Forest, but are still pretty easy to get to by car—only about a half an hour from the big city of L. A. , and even less if you’re coming from Palm Read more...

Wanna get into the wild? If you’re looking to rough it, look no further than Paiute Canyon Yellow Post Sites. Grab your gear, food, water, plus a car with 4WD, and venture deep into the San Bernardino Forest. With no amenities, you’re sure to get your fill of nature goodness by surrounding yourself with a gorgeously tall trees, desert underbrush, Read more...