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Halfway Camp

2 Reviews

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Halfway Camp is located in the San Bernardino National Forest, surrounded by rugged terrain and dense forest. Temperatures can range from 30°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Big Bear Lake and the Pacific Crest Trail, offering opportunities for hiking and water activities.

Description

Water available seasonally.

Group size limited to 12 people and 8 pack/riding animals per group. No campfires allowed. Portable gas stoves are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit.

Limited, but free wilderness permits for day hiking and overnight camping are required for the San Gorgonio Wilderness and the Cucamonga Wilderness Permits – they are issued by the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association, a Forest Service partner. Parts of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, including the San Bernardino Peak Trail, are still closed due to the El Dorado fire.

Upon completion of your reservation request. you will receive a download. Please retain this download as your permit reservation. You may keep a copy on your phone and show it to a ranger as verification of your permit or you can print it out. If you do not receive a permit use the contact link here: https://www.sgwa.org/contact-us

The Vivian Creek Trail is the shortest and the steepest route to the summit of Mt. San Gorgonio, located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness on the Sand to Snow National Monument. One and two-tenths miles from the trailhead is Vivian Creek Camp (7,100'). Campsites are located upslope to the right of the trail after reaching the stream: one is halfway up the slope, and the other is at the top of the slope (no camping within 200 feet of the trail or creek). One and three-tenths miles from Vivian Creek Camp is Halfway Camp (8,100'). Water is obtained from the creek 200 yards before camp. Two and three-tenths miles further is High Creek Camp (water available - 9,200'). The summit of San Gorgonio (11,499') is 3 miles beyond High Creek. The upper end of this trail offers outstanding views of Yucaipa Ridge and Galena Peak, as well as sweeping panoramic views from the top of Mt. San Gorgonio. General info: No water available. No campfires allowed. Portable gas stoves are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit. No camping within 200 feet of the trail or creek Wilderness Permit Required - this is a very popular trail, especially on summer weekends. It is suggested you request your permit in advance. Wilderness Permit applications are accepted up to 90 days in advance of your trip. Permits can be obtained from sgwa.org. Fee: Adventure Pass Required $5/day or $30/year. Interagency Passes also accepted.

Reservation Info

Free day use and overnight permits are required. Reserve and check availability on the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association website: sgwa.org/wilderness-permits/

Only one reservation needed per group! One person can reserve for up to 12 people. We will cancel any reservations made in the same name for the same date.

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Location

Halfway Camp is located in California

Directions

The trailhead is reached by turning east off Highway 38 to Forest Falls.

Coordinates

34.08329521 N
116.862903 W

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Dry Lake Backpacking Campground

58 min away

San Gorgonio Summit Camp

1 hr 20 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

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

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Verizon
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Access

Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

Reservable
Drinking Water
Pets
Fires

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Brittany N.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2017

Second stay.

So this is my second trip up to this campground. We decided to stay a little further back for a little more privacy from the trail above. This trip we hiked up in the afternoon to stay at this campground and make our way to the summit the next morning. We stayed up against the slope, opposite of the trail. We hung out in quite because there was no other campers that night. We did have a momma deer and two does in the distance. Then 30 mins later we had another deer friend that just hung around until after we took shelter in the tent. These spots are nice and already cleared. Maybe one or two rocks that needed to be moved, but it was minimal!

Some general Info about permits:

As stated above they are sometimes hard to come by depending on weekends. High creek camp is always most popular and I have never had a problem obtaining a permit for Halfway. You can walk in to Mill Creek Ranger Station to get a permit or you can fax the office a few days in advance to submit for a permit.

http://sgwa.org/wilderness-permits/

Month of VisitJune

(8) View All

Brittany N.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2017

Not So halfway camp.

Came up here for the first time in August 2016. It was beautiful and breath taking. We went to hike up to stay at the summit of San Gorgonio, but the whole group was not going to complete it. So from about 10,800 ft we hiked back down to Halfway camp! When we went there was no water flow at this camp. Campfires not allowed. Thankfully we just use our jet boils and some drylite food! There seems to be about 10 spots, but really they are just unmarked flatted, cleared dirt. A few spots have logs to break it up a little. This is pack in- pack out. No bathrooms.

I call this not so halfway camp because you would think that it is half way to the summit, but most definitely is not! This is about 3 miles in to the hike. Lovely little area that drops down off the trail. When you see a sign that points to high creek, basically point straight, that is when you will see right to the right a thin trail that heads down maybe 200 feet and opens up. We camped in the first few flat areas, but exploring further there is many flatten out areas as I mentioned above ** This is a re-review for being mis-placed onto the "San Gorgonio Campground" That review is now deleted and placed correctly here.

Month of VisitAugust

(7) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Halfway Camp in San Gorgonio?

Halfway Camp offers minimal backcountry amenities. There are basic camping spots with relatively flat areas for tent setup, including some more private sites set back from the main trail. Water is not consistently available at the camp - during dry periods, no water flows in the area. No established facilities like toilets, trash receptacles, or fire rings exist at this wilderness campsite, so campers should be prepared to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all waste.

Where is Halfway Camp located on the San Gorgonio trail?

Halfway Camp is located at approximately 10,800 feet elevation along the San Gorgonio trail. As its name suggests, it serves as a midpoint rest area for hikers making their way to the San Gorgonio summit. The camp is positioned on the main trail, making it a strategic stopping point for backpackers planning to summit San Gorgonio the following day or for those descending from higher elevations who need a place to rest before continuing down.

Are permits required for camping at Halfway Camp in San Gorgonio Wilderness?

Yes, permits are required for camping at Halfway Camp in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. As part of the San Gorgonio Wilderness area, overnight stays require wilderness permits that should be obtained in advance. These permits help manage visitor impact and maintain the wilderness character of the area. Contact the San Bernardino National Forest or the responsible ranger district to secure the necessary permits before your trip, as availability may be limited during peak hiking seasons.

What do Halfway Camp photos show about the campground conditions?

Photos of Halfway Camp reveal a rustic backcountry campsite set in a high-elevation alpine environment. The terrain appears relatively flat in camping areas with surrounding slopes that provide some shelter. Campsites are dispersed among sparse mountain vegetation with some sites offering more privacy away from the main trail. The camp's high-altitude setting (around 10,800 feet) is evident in the thin air vegetation and expansive mountain views. No established structures or facilities are visible in images, confirming its wilderness designation and primitive camping conditions.

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Halfway Camp

Description

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FREE established camping

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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2025 Detourist Giveaway

Reviews

5.0

Second stay.

Not So halfway camp.

What amenities are available at Halfway Camp in San Gorgonio?

Where is Halfway Camp located on the San Gorgonio trail?

Are permits required for camping at Halfway Camp in San Gorgonio Wilderness?

What do Halfway Camp photos show about the campground conditions?