Established Camping
San Bernardino National Forest Crab Flats Campground
San Bernardino National Forest Crab Flats Campground, near Big Bear, California, is a solid choice for those who love the great outdoors and off-roading adventures. This campground offers spacious sites with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for gathering around the fire after a day of exploring.
The area is known for its beautiful scenery, with plenty of trees providing shade and a rustic vibe. Visitors have mentioned that the campground is a hub for dirt biking and off-roading, making it a popular spot for those looking to hit the trails. Just keep in mind that the access road can be a bit rough, so a vehicle with good clearance is recommended.
While the facilities are basic, you’ll find vault toilets and a couple of water spigots on-site. Campers appreciate the cleanliness maintained by the camp host, who makes regular rounds. As one visitor noted, “The campsite is spacious although not private from each site,” which gives it a friendly, communal feel.
If you’re up for some fun beyond the campground, the nearby lake offers opportunities for kayaking and fishing, making it a great spot for families. Just remember to pack out your trash when you leave, as the campground operates on a leave-no-trace policy. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Crab Flats has a laid-back atmosphere that’s hard to beat.
Description
USDA Forest Service
San Bernardino National Forest
Overview
Crab Flats Campground is an off-roaders paradise, with plenty of off-road vehicle trails nearby for both beginner and experienced riders. Its location not only provides plentiful recreation, but also a secluded escape in Southern California's pine-covered mountains. Campground is difficult to reach without a high clearance vehicle.
Recreation
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails surround the campground, including the Crab Creek Trail, which provides access to nearby Fisherman's Campground. The scenery along the trail is exceptional. Other off-road vehicle trails in the area include the 9.7-mile Redonda Ridge Trail, and Holcomb Valley Road, which runs about 26 miles and begins west of the campground. The Crab Flat Loop is also west of the campground. Green Valley Lake is approximately 6 miles away and offers boating, fishing and swimming opportunities. The 9-acre lake is regularly stocked with a variety of fish. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are available in the winter.
Facilities
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails surround the campground, including the Crab Creek Trail, which provides access to nearby Fisherman's Campground. The scenery along the trail is exceptional. Other off-road vehicle trails in the area include the 9.7-mile Redonda Ridge Trail, and Holcomb Valley Road, which runs about 26 miles and begins west of the campground. The Crab Flat Loop is also west of the campground. Green Valley Lake is approximately 6 miles away and offers boating, fishing and swimming opportunities. The 9-acre lake is regularly stocked with a variety of fish. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are available in the winter.
Natural Features
The campground is located 8 miles from Green Valley Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest, near the town of Arrowhead. It is accessed by a dirt road that crosses Deep Creek. The campground is situated among tall pine, oak and cedar trees. A variety of birds and wildlife make their home in the area.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (909) 866-8550.
Nearby Attractions
The closest communities are Arrowhead and Running Springs.
Charges & Cancellations
Rules & Reservation Policies As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations.__ Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites.__ Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility.__ Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.__ Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Tours & Tickets: You may request changes to tour dates at no cost before the arrival date. If you cancel before your tour date, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancellation fees apply. Please check the tour facility description details page for cancellation policies.__ Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location.__ Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date.__ If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.__ Tours: A tour or ticket no-show is one who does not cancel a ticket before arrival and does not arrive for the tour. Tour no-shows are not entitled to a refund.__ Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.__ Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777."__ Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July__
Location
San Bernardino National Forest Crab Flats Campground is located in California
Directions
From Running Springs, travel toward Arrowbear, to Green Valley Road. Turn left, drive approximately 4 miles to Crab Flats Campground sign. Turn left and continue about 4 miles to the campground.
Address
SAN BERNARDINO
CA
Coordinates
34.263451 N
117.086627 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonGood
- AT&TGood
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires