Cave camping near San Bernardino

San Bernardino’s nearby mountains, forests, lakes, and desert make for classic SoCal camping.

66% (541 reviews)
66% (541 reviews)

Popular camping styles for San Bernardino

Dog-friendly getaways

Under $50

5 top cave campgrounds near San Bernardino

82%
(11)

Off the Grid Hot Springs Camping

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents180 acres · Lake Arrowhead, CA
Located on a rural off the grid property near the Deep Creek Hot Springs, this 160 acre property is the perfect place to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. Nestled in the mountains of the high desert, come camp and enjoy yourself in a peaceful setting where beautiful natural desert scenery and mountain views surround you. The natural high desert landscape of junipers, joshua trees, chaparral and sages, combined with the nearby San Bernardino mountains in the background, create an amazing 360* view from just about anywhere on our land. This private homestead property is located 6 miles off the pavement, just far enough to escape the sounds and lights of the city, and is surrounded by 1,000's of acres of undeveloped government managed lands. The natural rural setting creates a serene atmosphere on the property that allows one to easily relax and recharge. You can set up your own tent and campsite or rent one of our furnished glamping tents to stay in when you come to visit. Have a special event coming up or just want to celebrate? Check out our private hot spring pool sites and private cold spring pool sites we have available for up to 300 guests. There is plenty of activities nearby to keep yourself occupied, such as nature watching right on the property, or exploring numerous hiking and ohv trails just off the property. With the trailhead starting on the property, the Deep Creek Hot Springs is just a short hike away, and well worth the effort, with nearby fishing and gold panning along the creek as well. Deep Creek flows all year around, and the 6 creek-side hot spring pools are always full and consistently hot all year around, ranging in temperatures between 90F-108F. The hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is steep in places and can be fairly difficult for some people, especially in warm weather. In order to be prepared with the correct gear to make this hike and know the USFS rules that apply to the area, please educate yourself before coming by visiting the USFS website page for the Deep Creek area. Know before you go! *Although children are permitted to be on the property, we do not recommend bringing them due to occasional nudity that may be seen in the area and the degree of difficulty of the hike. The hike to the hot springs is fairly difficult and everyone’s physical fitness needs to be considered when deciding to take children, elderly people, or over-weight people.
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from 
$27.99
 / night
97%
(682)

Splitrock Farm and Retreat

34 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents101 acres · Fallbrook, CA
About Splitrock Farm and Retreat Far Away, Close to Home For more information... Visit our website www.splitrock.camp Instagram page @splitrockfarmandretreat. Tag your photos #splitrockfarmandretreat #SplitrockFAR #farawayclosetohome Or, contact the Camp Host through Hipcamp direct message or the direct line 760-645-5431. Splitrock Farm and Retreat started in January 2021 after a global search of a place to set roots, live off the land, and create an amazing place for recreation, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Splitrock Farm Splitrock was part of a 160-acre avocado farm that prospered from 1970 to 2017, generating over 1million pounds of avocados per year until the previous owners switched off the water in 2017. Ben purchased 101 acres in 2021 with plans to harvest the dead avocado trees for firewood and replant with organic, sustainable crops such as grapes, citrus trees, and flowers. Splitrock Retreat Splitrock's attraction comes from its unique groves, magnificent granite boulders, and sweeping vistas. Mixed within the avocado groves are several ancient groves and solitary trees that include 200 foot tall pines, hundreds of old oaks, and soaring palms. Freckled throughout the hillsides are thousands of humongous granite boulders, offering a prehistoric feel to the landscape. Above all, Splitrock offers unrivaled views. Over 40 miles of coastline includes views to Point Loma, the Carlsbad power station, and the Pendleton Hospital. To the northeast are views of near 11K foot snowy peaks of San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, with rolling hills of De Luz and Fallbrook in the foreground.
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from 
$32
 / night
67%
(3)

Oak Springs Ranch Campground

27 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Apple Valley, CA
Oak Springs is an 80 acre "off grid" ranch. Oak Springs was originally a stage coach stop for miners during the 1800's. Family owned and operated since 1944. Oak Springs Ranch is known for the breathtaking views, pure water, organic gardens, and friendly family atmosphere. We offer guided tours on horseback to the local hot springs, water caves or take a local ride to learn about the local Native Americans.
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from 
$20
 / night
92%
(12)

MT SOMEWHERE

16 sites · Lodging, RVs10 acres · Rainbow, CA
MT SOMEWHERE, a 10-acre private mountain retreat is nestled high above the Temecula Valley, yet only 3 miles to Old Town and Pechanga Casino. We offer a variety of ways for you to enjoy your stay, from private rooms in the main.house to hike-in only dispersed camping. We welcome you to come to the country and experience the untamed natural beauty and rustic vibe of this hidden rural property. Hear the roosters in the morning, watch the hummingbirds on the deck at the main. house or relax with a cup of coffee under the giant birds of paradise. Or you can scale the 60-foot *movie rock* to take in the 360 views; from Pala Valley to Oceanside and Corona to San Diego, there is no better place to watch the sunset (or sunrise). You are surrounded by 300-year-old oak trees and granite boulders which makes you feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet a $10 UBER puts you right in the middle of Old Town. MT SOMEWHERE is a rare untouched piece of land smack dab in the middle of Southern California, which delights all our guests that come to realize all who wander are not lost.
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from 
$31.66
 / night

Old Riverbed

2 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Valle Vista, CA
Nature enthusiasts, embark on a retreat to our 8-acre private Hipcamp located near Soboba Casino. Our tranquil, gated campsite is enveloped by expansive open spaces and inhabited by a variety of wild animals. Take a break from the hustle and bustle to disconnect and relax in this serene off-grid setting, where hookups are not available. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Southern California's natural landscape at our secluded camping retreat.
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from 
$50
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop

Cave camping near San Bernardino guide

Overview

East of Los Angeles in the Inland Empire, San Bernardino sits at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains and the San Bernardino National Forest, home to coniferous trees, hiking trails, and snow-capped peaks. Two other nearby ranges—the San Gabriel Mountains and San Jacinto Mountains—multiply the region’s alpine options, while lower-elevation parks and preserves in the valley mean hiking and camping among native plants and chaparral. Aside from the mountains, San Bernardino is also about an hour's drive to Pacific beaches and 90 minutes to Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert, making it a perfect location to explore both the highlights and hidden gems of Southern California wilderness.

Where to go

San Bernardino Surrounds

For a quick nature excursion near San Bernardino, check out Box Springs Mountain Reserve Park, where you can get a panoramic view of the area from a 3,000-plus-foot peak. Chino Hills State Park is another great local option with more than 90 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. The campground at Chino Hills has tent sites with picnic tables and restrooms, while RV travelers can also find a variety of San Bernardino RV parks with full hookups, free wifi, dump stations, and everything else needed for travel in a big rig or camper. 

San Bernardino Mountains

Much of the San Bernardino Mountains north of the city are preserved by the San Bernardino National Forest. Within this park system are 42 campgrounds, hundreds of miles of trails, and the highest peak in Southern California: the 11,499-foot San Gorgonio Mountain. The Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area and Big Bear Lake are also in this range, the latter of which sits at 6,752 feet of elevation and features a winter ski run.

Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness

The Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness spans 14,000 acres in the San Jacinto Mountains. With granite cliffs, Sequoia trees, and stunning views, this region feels more like the High Sierra than Southern California. There are campgrounds and rugged hiking trails near the park in Idyllwild, or you can start in Palm Springs and let the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway whisk you to 8,516 feet, where hiking trails depart from the tram’s Mountain Station.

When to go

There are year-round camping options in San Bernardino due to its proximity to varied climates. While the San Bernardino Valley can become uncomfortably hot in summer, this is a great season to camp at the more temperate beach and mountain areas nearby. Conversely, both the valley and nearby desert sites like Joshua Tree National Park are ideal for a winter camping getaway.

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