The best camping near Lucerne Lake

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lucerne Lake adventure.

Lucerne Lake: A scenic escape with endless adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Lucerne Lake

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High Desert Hot Spring Hideout

13 sites · RVs, Tents160 acres · Lake Arrowhead, CA

This property is the perfect place to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. Nestled in the mountains of the high desert, we invite you to come stay in a peaceful serene setting, where beautiful natural desert scenery and mountain views surround you. The 40 minute hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is well worth the effort, and there's so much more natural beauty to see as you explore miles of hiking and OHV trails nearby and right on the property. Weather can be extreme at times, with Winter temps ranging from 20*F to 40* F, and Summer temps peaking at 112F. The cold creek water in the Deep Creek canyon 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 fairly steep and can be 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 and our webpage for the Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground for detailed driving directions to the official trailhead located right on our property. You won't get lost if you park on our property and hike from the trailhead, so make sure you go to the right address. Know before you go! Generally, reservations are not necessary to set up a tent site, but we have a more private area set aside for hipcamp reservations that has separate facilities from the general camping area. We do not recommend bringing children due to occasional nudity that may be seen in the area and the degree of difficulty for the hike. The hike to the hot springs is fairly difficult and everyone’s physical fitness needs to be considered when deciding to take pets, or have children, elderly people, or out-of-shape/over-weight people in your group.

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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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Historic Pioneertown Campground

70 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Pioneertown, CA

Pioneertown was built in 1946 as a movie set for Western movies, including the movies of Gene Autry, The Cisco Kid, Annie Oakley, Judge Roy Bean, and Buffalo Bill, just to name a few!Wild West re-enactment performances take place along Mane Street in Pioneertown on weekend afternoons, between early spring and late fall.Learn more about this land:Camp under the stars in historic Pioneertown! Pioneertown Corrals provides a unique setting for campers who want to spend their vacations or getaway weekends in this peaceful desert setting. If you like to ride the trails, barbeque, sit around a campfire, and stargaze in the evening, then you've come to the right place!Pioneertown was built in 1946 as a movie set for Western movies, including the movies of Gene Autry, The Cisco Kid, Annie Oakley, Judge Roy Bean, and Buffalo Bill, just to name a few!Wild West re-enactment performances take place along Mane Street in Pioneertown on weekend afternoons, between early spring and late fall.

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Sahara House

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Joshua Tree, CA

Relaxation awaits you at this 100% off the grid solar Sahara House. Watch the sun rise and set from your private deck equipped with lounge chairs . Stargaze while getting close to nature in the outdoor shower, or curl up on the couch and watch your favorite on demand movies in this modern desert home. Enjoy the seclusion that 5 acres has to offer with just a short drive to the beauties of Joshua Tree and the surrounding cities. Enjoy the outdoors but all the amenities of home.

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Mineral Spring Date Farm

7 sites · Lodging20 acres · Desert Hot Springs, CA

Get cozy and settle into this rustic space. This is a working Date Farm that is above an aquifer with a natural mineral spring water well with soak tubs at each site located in a private 20-acre Date Farm with Mineral Springs. ~18 minutes from Downtown Palm Springs. * **Perfect late-night check in** If you love traveling, nature, and adventure this place has features to help you maximize your travel experiences. Comfortable and right in the middle of the desert. Experience the best of both worlds.

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Mojave Moonlight Camping

4 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Lucerne Valley, CA

Located in the outskirts of Lucene ValleyLearn more about this land: Experience a blanket of stars at night, beautiful sunrise and sunsets. We have limited it to only 4 campsites so there is plenty of space and privacy on this 20 acre campsite.Hike the mountain, experience nature and solitude and be just 10 minutes from a town where a supermarket, hardware store, service station, post office, sheriff's station and a variety of restaurants are available.This is big sky and wide open California Desert. Remote enough to be away from crowds but close enough for all the essentials.Life is short ... Get outside.

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Bowens Ranch Hot Spring Retreat

35 sites · RVs161 acres · Apple Valley, CA

This off the grid property is the perfect place to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. Nestled in the mountains of the high desert, we invite you to come stay in a peaceful serene setting where nature and wildlife encompasses you on this rural property surrounded by 1,000s of acres of undeveloped BLM and US Forestry land. Come escape from the city and relax at a place where you can enjoy yourself amongst others or be by yourself in your own private campsite. With 160 acres, there is lots of room for your large group to spread out or find a more private site to seclude yourself! Set up your campsite and park your vehicle at any of our developed sites that have a patch of turf, picnic tables and fire pits (grills available). Flushing toilets, pits toilets, potable water, and showers on site. The 40 minute hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is well worth the effort, and there's so much more natural beauty to see as you explore miles of hiking and OHV trails nearby and right on the property. The creek water in the Deep Creek canyon flows all year around, as does the hot spring source water that feeds the 6 creek-side hot pools, ranging in temperatures between 90F-108F. Weather can be extreme at times, with Winter temps ranging from 20*F to 40* F, and Summer temps reaching 112F+. The hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is fairly steep and can be difficult for some people, especially in warm weather, so everyone’s physical fitness needs to be considered when deciding to hike to the hot springs with pets, children, elderly people, or out-of-shape/over-weight people in your group. Although children are permitted 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 for the hike. In order to be prepared with the correct gear to make the hike to the hot springs 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! The Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp is part of the historic Bowen Ranch property that was homesteaded in 1924. This property has been the camping and parking area for the Deep Creek Hot Springs for nearly a century. The Bowen Ranch property is under new ownership as of 2020 and we welcome everyone to come visit! Generally, we always have sites available and reservations are not necessary, but reserved sites are located in a more private area set aside for Hipcamp reservations with separate facilities from the general camping area. See our webpage deepcreekhotspringscampground.com for detailed driving directions to our property with the official trailhead located right on site.

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Desert Rose Collective

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Morongo Valley, CA

The Desert Rose Collective is a work in progress and is ever-changing! This unique property is being transformed into a truly 'hip' camp. It features a sun shade structure with a bar, an outdoor kitchen, a semi-outdoor bathroom, a shower room, and plenty of seating and shaded areas to relax and enjoy the fabulous views. Both days and nights are amazing from the location of this unforgettable property in the canyon. Check out additional information under our Camping, RV, and Tent Cabin listings. We look forward to your booking and to meeting you at the Desert Rose Collective!

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Get Lost Inn - Cabin Rentals

36 sites · Lodging1 acre · Running Springs, CA

Escape to the San Bernardino mountains and experience the ultimate mountain retreat! Whether you're looking for a cozy cabin for a romantic getaway, or a spacious lodge for a family vacation, we've got you covered. With a dozen stunning cabins to choose from, we offer the perfect accommodation for all seasons and activities. Embrace the winter wonderland with skiing and snowboarding, or explore the great outdoors with hiking, rock climbing, and fishing. Or simply unwind and relax in the serene mountain surroundings. Our cabins are conveniently located in Green Valley Lake, Big Bear, Running Springs, and Lake Arrowhead, each offering its own unique charm and adventure. Let us be your host and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Book your stay with us today and discover the magic of the San Bernardino mountains!

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BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN CAMP

8 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Lucerne Valley, CA

This off-grid boondocking property is nestled at the north base of the San Bernardino Mountains and Big Bear Lake near Highways 18 and 247. A total of over 8 acres of desert land adorned with Joshua Trees and Creosote bushes with almost 2 acres cleared for camping. Accessible by paved roads to within 1 mile of the property and maintained dirt roads the remainder, the site is packed sand and accessible by nearly any 2 wheel drive vehicle. The site is elevated above the valley providing beautiful valley and mountain views as well as gorgeous sunrise and sunset. Surrounding BLM lands provide numerous off-highway trails and Johnson Valley approximately 20 miles to the east hosts the annual King of the Hammers off highway event. Less that 30 miles away, Big Bear, Victorville, Mojave Narrows and Jess Lakes. Less than 60 miles away, Lake Arrowhead, Calico Ghost Town, Joshua Tree and more. Large groups with multiple RV's and/or tents may request the entire property when available.

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Lucerne Valley Desert Camp!

6 sites · RVs8 acres · Lucerne Valley, CA

Learn more about this land:Looking for an awesome California desert experience? Look no further !! Here you can enjoy complete freedom. Ride any type of off-road vehicle, any type of bikes, camp fires, hiking, bouldering/mountain climbing. A flat dry lake is below for more fun. Many use it for amateur rocketry, etc. Awesome spot to bring your drone for practice, races and filming. We also have a firearm target practice area set up for you to utilize if you are the only group at the campsite. Beautiful dark skies for stargazing, bring your binoculars or telescope. See photos for property boundaries where you can setup your camp. My property includes a small hill, awesome for looking out over the desert. Come and get away from the city and enjoy the quiet, serene, and stark beauty of the Mojave. There are several connecting dirt roads you are free to use to explore the surrounding area. Planning a group camp out? We can have a port-a-potty placed for you, just give us a heads up. Location: In google maps, just type G29F+42. If you have GPS, here's the coordinates: (34.517778, -116.977500). See photos and arrival instructions in the directions tab for additional location info.

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Cozy Corral RV Hook-ups

1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Lucerne Valley, CA

Serene RV Hook-up with Full Amenities in Lucerne Valley. Welcome to our tranquil retreat in Lucerne Valley, offering the perfect RV hook-up experience for off-roaders and adventurers seeking a peaceful oasis. Nestled amidst the picturesque desert landscape, our property provides a serene getaway with essential amenities, including water, electricity, and a convenient sewer dump station. Prepare to unwind and rejuvenate while enjoying the beauty of the Mojave Desert.

The best camping near Lucerne Lake guide

Overview

About

Just north of the San Bernardino National Forest in the Lucerne valley sits a dry lakebed known as Lucerne Lake. While this is a perfect place to take offroad vehicles, that is not the main attraction—the Rocketry Organization of California hosts its launch site in the expanse of the dry lakebed. Check out their website for upcoming launches, competitions, and many opportunities to learn more about the fascinating science of rocketry.

When to go

The ideal time to visit Lucerne Lake is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer brings warmth and a bustling energy, perfect for water activities, though it's also the busiest season. Winter, while quieter, can be chilly, making some activities less accessible.

Know before you go

Check weather conditions before your visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Be mindful of park wildlife; maintain a safe distance and do not feed the animals.
Lucerne Lake is a day-use area, so plan your activities between 8:30am to 5pm.
Accessibility varies across different parts of the park; inquire ahead for specific needs.
While exploring, adhere to Leave No Trace principles to preserve the park's natural beauty.