San Bernardino National Forest holds Apple Canyon Yellowpost, a US Forest Service pay site set near a creek in the hills above Mountain Center, California. The campground runs on a pack-in, pack-out basis with a 14-day stay limit, and the numbered yellow post sites include fire pits and picnic tables. Cell service is available, and the area accommodates big rigs, with one reviewer noting easy access in a 19-foot Winnebago.
Crowding is worth planning around. The formal yellow post sites fill up, but reviewers consistently note informal clearings along the access roads where dispersed-style camping is possible. Views from camp reach toward Tahquitz Peak, and at least one site sits close enough to a nearby creek to hear frogs at night. Wind can pick up, particularly in early spring.
Cleanliness depends partly on camper behavior. One reviewer flagged improperly discarded toilet paper, so pack accordingly. The site works well as an overnight stop before hiking into Idyllwild, and the surrounding area gives access to campgrounds around San Bernardino National Forest at varying elevations and levels of development. As one camper put it, "fell asleep to the sound of frogs in the nearby creek."
Campers who want more developed facilities nearby can look at Lake Hemet Campground or Hurkey Creek Park, both within a mile to the west and southwest.
Description
Each site is limited to a maximum of 8 persons at any one time. There is limited parking at these sites for 2 vehicles. Amenities includes 1 picnic table and 1 fire ring. There are no restroom facilities. There is no drinking water.
The only amenity provided is a metal fire ring, marked nearby with yellow-painted metal post. There is no water, no restrooms nearby, no trash containers and typically no picnic tables. Navigating to most of these sites are not always conducive for RVs or trailers.
Additionally, campfires are not always allowed in the fire ring that we provide, and no matter what kind of stove you use when they are allowed, you must have your California Campfire Permit. Due to the remoteness of these sites, they are often prohibited during times of year of high fire danger. Do your part to Know before you go by always checking the Current Fire Restrictions, and the Recreation Status of the site you wish to visit.
After checking our current fire restrictions page and the status of the yellow post site, you can ask additional clarification questions by calling the corresponding district ranger station
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsApple Canyon Yellowpost is located in California near Mountain Center
Coordinates
33.677133 N
116.669362 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/3/26
Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/3/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/3/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/3/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/3/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 45 min from San Diego, CA
- 2 hrs 4 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 15 min from El Centro, CA
- 3 hrs 13 min from Yuma, AZ
