Marion Mountain, near Idyllwild, California, is a serene campground tucked away in the San Bernardino National Forest. This spot is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, offering a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.

The campground features spacious sites with picnic tables, making it a great place to enjoy meals outdoors. Many visitors have praised the privacy of the sites, especially those located towards the west, which provide a more secluded feel. As one camper noted, “We were far enough away from neighbors to feel like we were almost camping alone.”

For outdoor enthusiasts, Marion Mountain is a gateway to fantastic hiking opportunities, including the Marion Mountain Trail that starts right from the campground. Reviewers have highlighted the quiet trails nearby, perfect for those seeking solitude in nature. Just a short drive away, Lake Fulmor offers additional scenic views and recreational activities.

While the campground has its quirks, like some sloped sites and limited amenities, the overall vibe is one of tranquility and connection with nature. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities and the chance to unwind in a beautiful setting. Whether you're camping in a tent, RV, or trying out glamping, Marion Mountain is a solid choice for a peaceful getaway.

## Overview

 The Marion Mountain Campground offers a beautiful retreat in the San Bernardino National Forest. It provides access to a number of hiking trails that lead to some of the most spectacular views of Southern California. The San Bernardino National Forest is submitting a proposal to increase fees at various sites across the Forest and is seeking public input. Please visit the https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for more information and to submit comments regarding this proposal. 
## Recreation

 Visitors enjoy sport climbing on rocks within the campground. Hiking on the nearby Marion Mountain Trail, which leads to San Jacinto Peak, is also available. Views from the peak extend to the ocean and across the Palm Desert, as well as the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains on a clear day. The 11.8-mile Marion Mountain Trail is the shortest route up the mountain, but also quite strenuous in areas. Shorter hikes can be enjoyed on other nearby trails. 
## Natural Features

 The campground is located in a forested area at an elevation of 6,400 feet. Mature cedar and pine trees provide ample shade and privacy between campsites. 
## Nearby Attractions

 The campground is located approximately 50 miles from San Bernardino, California, and seven miles north of Idyllwild, which is popular for its small-town atmosphere and variety of shops and restaurants.

Marion Mountain

Are you in need of a campground near Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Idyllwild-Pine Cove campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Idyllwild-Pine Cove

The Best Camping Near Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

Marion mountain is located about 6 miles north of the town of Idyllwild and offers shaded campsites and basic car camping amenities. The campsites are fairly spaced out offering privacy to take in all nature has to offer. This is a great place to camp if you plan to hike Mount San Jacinito via the Marion Mountain trail because the trailhead starts in the campground. 

Nice spot for taking in nature

Quiet wooded campground off the main road. Windy (paved) road to get in so could be tricky for rigs &gt;25 feet.  Water only turned on during weekends while we were there, though water available down the road in another campground. Many sites a little slopey. Great choice if planning to hike Marion Mountain trail. 

Beautiful mountain setting

We were only there for a night, but it was a great place to go. Beautiful area to explore, with an awesome view. We perched up on a rock watched the sun set over the city and then watched the shooting stars! 



Loved it

This is a pretty secluded spot. Great hiking or backpacking spots that lead to the peak. We camped for one night, didn’t pay for the spot, and no one showed up to collect. Maybe we got lucky. It’s still a great overnight spot.

Great Spot!

Located in the San Bernardino National Forest, within the San Jacinto District, Marion Mt. Campground is one of the best camping sites in Southern California. Located in a beautiful mountain setting this site provides all the peace and tranquility a soul longs for.

The Perfect Southern California Campground for a Peaceful Getaway

Sites are nice and spacious but doesn’t seem to have a whole lot of privacy. We got lucky and went on a week day were the only ones camping there.
Lots of hiking trails with great views. Lake fulmor is just a short drive and so worth it!
Lots of hikers walking through the site.
Some of the sites are not flat and the bathrooms were pretty dirty but over all it’s a great place.  

Beautiful spot

Was able to get a first come first serve site on a Saturday in October. Most sites were reserved but not everyone showed up. For first come first serve you must pay via cash or check using the drop box - no option for credit cards. Bathrooms were clean and parking was nice. Paved road all the way to your site. Not able to use fire pits due to fire restrictions.

It was nice being off the main road a bit and right off the Marion Mountain Trail. Great area to explore and hike around right off the campground! The trails were relatively quiet so I would recommend taking a hike if you are looking for quiet and solitude. Some sites can be pretty close to one another and unfortunately our camp neighbors were playing loud music into the night. Other than that I would give 5 stars. 

Nice location! 

We loved this campground. We enjoyed the size and feel of the campground. Well, every campground has ups and downs. This one literally has slopes. Hahah some sites were more slope-y than others, but most had a flat spot for a tent in for the picnic bench. We stayed in camp spot number 24 and it had a nice secluded feel to it. 
After walking around the entire campground well most spots were very nice. We did find that the spots in the center lacked privacy. And the spots to the East/backside of the campground were our least favorites. (#10, #16 especially wouldn’t recommend). 
We did find that spot to the west were the best ones for the most part . If you’re camping in a group numbers, 6,7,8,9 were nice as well as 22￼,23,24! There were a couple sites that you did have to walk through/near the other camp spot to get to it. I.e. Sites number seven and eight, as well as number 19 and 20, and 22 and 23. 

￼Parking is a little funky, some of the closer camp spots, the parking was together. They each have their own spot, but you couldn’t fit more than one car. I would say that the center spots offered better dual parking if needed. 

Final note: dogs do need to be on a leash in the campground, you will see my pup in the photo off leash because there was no one there at that time! 

Great back-country, drive up, campground

We stayed in spot number 16 since it was one of the few that wasn’t reservable.  Most are reserved but there is a chart at the pay area.  Number 16 was such a great spot but horrible for getting your stuff up that hill.  I recommend this spot if you are staying awhile.  It was close to Idyllwild, which was convenient when we ran out of ice.  There are no bear boxes, not sure if it was needed though.  For the best spots, make sure to reserve.  Not sure where to go to do that but definitely recommended.  We were far enough away from neighbors to feel like we were almost camping alone.  The only reason I wouldn’t come back is because there was no water.  

Photos of Marion Mountain

Real photos from real campers