Right off Highway 38 in the San Bernardino Mountains, San Gorgonio Campground gives campers straightforward access from the Los Angeles basin without a long, complicated drive. The Forest Service-managed site runs $34-$69 per night, accommodates RVs up to 40 feet, and operates year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly on weekends when a two-night minimum applies, and holidays require a three-night booking. Walk-in and hike-in access is also available for those arriving without a vehicle.
The campground has 54 sites spread across the forested terrain, with roughly 75-100 feet between many of them, which gives campers a reasonable sense of separation. Sites include steel bear boxes, picnic tables, and fire rings. Showers, flush toilets, and a nearby dump station round out the facilities, though reviewers note the bathrooms do not supply soap or towels. Firewood is sold on-site. Verizon users report full bars of cell signal. Temperatures swing considerably across seasons: expect cold mornings year-round, summer days that can push into the 90s, and near-freezing nights in fall.
Adam B. describes it simply: "Cold mornings but perfect temperature during the day." Nearby Jenks Lake is a short drive away and draws campers for day walks, while the Santa Ana River corridor and trails toward Barton Flats offer additional hiking. Fishing is listed as an on-site activity. Wildlife sightings, including deer, blue jays, lizards, and squirrels, are common, with occasional bear activity reported in the area. Campers who prefer forested pet-friendly campgrounds around San Bernardino National Forest will find this a practical base.
Weekend crowds can shift the atmosphere considerably. M W. observed that weekday stays were calm, but by Friday night "competing music between campsites" and rule-breaking became issues. Reviewers consistently flag that weekday or shoulder-season visits offer a noticeably different experience. Specific sites 28, 44, and the double site 10 have been called out for their shade, flat ground, and distance from neighboring camps. Site 48, a double site accommodating up to 16 people, is noted as convenient to the bathrooms without being directly in the foot-traffic path.
Campers looking for a different setup nearby can consider Barton Flats Campground, located just to the west along the same highway corridor.
Description
Overview
The San Gorgonio Campground provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, as well as a beautiful location in which to enjoy nature. Its proximity to scenic trails and nearby mountain lakes and streams make the campground a great place to bring the family to relax and get away from it all.
Recreation
The campground provides access to the famed Santa Ana River Trail, which when completed will run from the mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean, providing spectacular views along the way. It is currently popular for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The Rio Monte Trail is also accessed from the campground, taking hikers to the Rio Monte Panorama, which overlooks the deep gorge of the Santa Ana River Valley. Visitors to the area also enjoy fishing in nearby mountain streams, as well as bird and wildlife viewing, as a variety of species make their home in the forest. A nearby amphitheater also provides weekend evening educational programs for the public during summer months.
Facilities
The campground offers dozens of single, double and accessible sites, available for tent and RV camping. Utility hookups are not available, however, the parking spurs are paved and provide a level surface. A dump station with potable water is available at a nearby campground. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided. A campground host is available on-site and firewood is available for purchase at the facility.
Natural Features
The campground is located about 36 miles northeast of San Bernardino, at an elevation of 6,600 feet. It is situated in a mixed forest of oak and mature pine trees. The campground is composed of two loops, one loop has sites that are closer together, providing less privacy than the other. Both loops are relatively shaded by Black oak, Jeffrey and Ponderosa pine.
Nearby Attractions
The Big Bear Lake and its adjoining town are located approximately 25 miles from the campground, offering a variety of water-related recreation opportunities, as well as golf, shopping and restaurant options.
Charges & Cancellations
Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first nights recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use fee for a day-use facility.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
This campground is open and accessible. The Green Fire is not affecting this location. Highway 38 is currently open.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSan Gorgonio Campground is located in California near Big Bear Lake
Directions
Take I-10 East to Redlands. Take the University Street exit, EXIT 80. Turn left (northbound) on University Street. Turn right onto E. Lugonia Avenue/SR-38. Continue on State Highway 38 for approximately 20 miles to the campground entrance.
Address
42700 HWY 38
Angelus oaks, CA 92305
Coordinates
34.173161 N
116.868362 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/6/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 8/6/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/6/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/6/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 8/6/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/6/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 47 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 17 min from San Diego, CA
- 2 hrs 33 min from Oxnard, CA
- 2 hrs 45 min from El Centro, CA

















































