$69 - $420 / night

Camper submitted image from Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites - 1

Camper submitted image from Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites - 3

People

Camper submitted image from Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites - 4

Roads

Camper submitted image from Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites - 5

Facilities

Established Camping

Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites

10 Reviews

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from January 3, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

About

USDA Forest Service

San Bernardino National Forest

These five remote camping sites offer locations for tent and car camping. There are some mature shade trees near the sites, but other than a metal fire ring for campfires, these sites do NOT contain the amenities found at developed campgrounds. There is no water, no picnic tables, no restrooms nearby, and no trash containers. Please pack it in - pack it out! All sites are first-come, first-served.

Campfire permits are required for any type of fire use - campfires, charcoal BBQ's, or stoves. Campfires may not be allowed certain times of the year. Contact the Mill Creek Ranger Station for current fire restriction information and road conditions. (909) 382-2882 (closed Tues/Wed)

Fee Info

No Forest Adventure Pass required at this site.

Reservation Info

None needed.

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Location

Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites is located in California

Directions

Hwy.74 east, pass Lake Hemet, right turn onto Forest Service Rd.#6S13 for 4 miles & left on Forest Service Rd.#5S13 & go 3 miles to the camping area.

Coordinates

34.13038190256424 N
117.01084870171324 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

$69 - $420

/ night

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

First Come - First Served

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Contact

General Info

Reservations

(909) 382-2682

Sandra L.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 20, 2021

Honda Fit camper first Camp site

So I converted my Honda Fit into a camper for mine and my pup camping adventures. This was our test location. The drive was extremely easy with a couple of rocky areas that made me slow down to 5mph and under to not damage the bottom of my H Fit. (Didn’t mind thanks to its amazing views.!) We stayed a couple of days and enjoyed our hikes, and camping spot to the max.

Month of VisitMay

(4) View All

Grace

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 14, 2021

Secluded and Peaceful

Getting up to the actual camp site though was a whole freaking experience. You NEED 4WD or AWD to get up the mountain, there are some gnarly spots and cars can get stuck. But wow, beautiful views and so many areas to camp and park. All of the yellow post sites were taken but there’s so much land, we were able to park off the road and find a little campfire pit. The sites were so spread out and it was secluded enough that we could walk outside butt naked and not worry about anyone spotting us! Definitely would recommend for a weekend!

(4) View All

Katie S.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 14, 2021

Complete Serenity!

My husband and I did our camping trip for the weekend here! Beautiful, private, and secluded. The campgrounds were wonderful- fair warning only a few campsites have a fire pit. A fire pit is a must in the winter - chilled winds, come prepared. Beautiful hiking trails and wildlife. I didn’t want to leave! Make sure you have a vehicle that is 4WD - getting up the mountain is long and rugged.

(10) View All

Nora S.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2020

Wow!

So this campsite was absolutely beautiful, and I would give a longer review but we unfortunately just stayed the night and left early in the morning. Not that we wouldn’t have wanted to stay longer though! The beautiful views of the mountains, and the bird’s eye view of the city of San Bernardino was definitely breathtaking. Slight warning however; the dirt road that leads up to the first spots is a doozy, and very long. When arriving at night, we felt like it would never end but don’t worry it does! Wish we could have explored more, so till next time!

Jonathan R.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 27, 2019

Scenic

Quiet and secluded area. Lots of room to camp. Bring bug spray for flys but other than that I’ll camp here anytime.

Month of VisitAugust

Chelsea R.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 31, 2019

Best find of 2019

I almost want to give this a 1 star review, just to keep it to myself a little longer. We loved this yellow post site, by far one of my favorites. Private but with cell service, tables and fire pits! Listen to great horned owls while taking in the views! I cant wait to go back

(4) View All

Steve

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2017

Great, Free Campsites

Excellent place to camp. And free, no less. Need high clearance or 4wd vehicle for a rough road but once you get to the top, the sites are great! Limited shade during middle of day but well worth the trip. Has restrooms etc at the top for the campsites.

Month of VisitAugust

(4) View All

Mark C.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2016

Yellow post free camping

If you're looking for a quiet, more remote campsite while hiking the Idyllwild area then look no further. These "yellow post" sites are essentially boondocking in the forest off dirt fire service roads. The best part is that you don't need reservations and they're free. This particular site has 8 campsites which do have signs to mark the general area, although it is entirely up to you to where to set up camp in the general area. The roads leading up are uneven roughly graded dirt and gravel so be prepared for that, and the campsites are spaced out quite a bit between site 1 and sites 2-8. These sites are basic and no campfires are allowed. You will obviously have no amenities and need to pack in food and water and pack out all trash. We used the site to hike Thomas mountain.

(7) View All

Shannon C.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2016

Little Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Campsites

Located in the Santa Rosa mountain range, the yellow post campsites of Little Thomas are free and offer very minimal amenities. Depending which site you have there's a picnic table. Not much shade on any of the sites so be prepared if going in the summer. To get there, turn off on the dirt road located just passed Lake Hemet on 6S13. The first site is on the left side just after you pass the gate. About 0.25 miles. It's super close to Lake Hemet so if you need anything you forgot, you can go quickly to the store. It's also only a 15 min drive to Idyllwild which makes it a great place if all the campgrounds are full.

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Kelly Z.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 27, 2016

Favorite Camping Spot

These sites aren't monitored and don't have picnic tables or any amenities, although there is a restroom down the road a little ways where the campsites start, but that's it. It is free to camp here, the sites are spaced really far apart. Most of the sites have incredible views looking out over Lake Hemet and of the San Jacinto mountains. You have to drive quite a ways up a dirt road from 74 to get to the sites, the road is pretty bumpy but not hard too bad. I made it up in my Nissan Rogue which is not AWD or 4WD. You are also pretty close to Idyllwild, which is a fun destination to go spend a day if you don't want to hang out at the campground. Lake Hemet is also very close by.

(4) View All