The best waterside camping near Idyllwild
This small town is surrounded by epic rock climbing and 38 miles of the Pacific Coast Trail.
The best waterside camping near Idyllwild guide
Where to go
Mount Jacinto State Park
Most visitors to the area head for Mount Jacinto State Park, which stretches from Idyllwild to Palm Springs. At the base of Mount San Jacinto, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway lifts up and over the sheer eastern face, traveling 2.5 miles while rotating for a one-of-a-kind experience. At the top, 8,516 feet up from the valley floor, visitors arrive at a temperature difference that averages 40°F. The park houses a number of campgrounds for tent and RV campers, and more than 50 miles of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing trails are set just outside.
Idyllwild Nature Center
One mile west of Idyllwild, the Idyllwild Nature Center offers guided tours that focus on mountain ecology, local flora and fauna, Cahuilla Native culture, and the history of the San Jacinto Mountains. Nearby, Hidden Valley Nature Center opens onto 25 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.
Tahquitz Rock and Suicide Rock
Idyllwild is the hub for explorers seeking to climb Tahquitz Rock and Suicide Rock. If you do not have climbing gear at hand, bouldering is a mellower way to explore the crags. Both rocks are accessible via hiking trails from Idyllwild.
When to go
Winter conditions can be variable—passes can close without warning—and weather can change suddenly even in summer.