Deonna W.
Traveler
TravelerJumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
I love this campground! While you are pretty close to other campers, you can’t beat getting to camp by the giant boulders. And the stargazing is unmatched!
Tent Camping near Banning, CA
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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San Bernardino National Forest surrounds Banning, California with diverse tent camping options ranging from developed sites to remote backcountry areas. Yucaipa Regional Park offers designated tent camping in group sites with amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. For more primitive tent camping experiences, the Yellow Post sites at Thomas Hunting Grounds and Keller Peak provide secluded tent-only camping with minimal facilities. Backcountry tent campsites at Dry Lake, Halfway Camp, and Limber Pine Bench require permits and are accessible only by hiking trails, offering true wilderness experiences.
Most primitive tent campsites near Banning require campers to bring their own water and supplies. Yellow Post sites feature fire rings but have seasonal fire restrictions that vary based on conditions. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing many of the dispersed tent camping areas, particularly Thomas Hunting Grounds where rough dirt roads lead to the campsites. Backcountry tent sites at higher elevations like Dry Lake and Limber Pine Bench may be inaccessible during winter months due to snow. Walk-in tent sites at Round Valley and Little Round Valley in Mount San Jacinto State Park require permits obtained from ranger stations, with availability limited during peak summer weekends.
Tent campers frequently report exceptional solitude at these sites despite their proximity to urban areas. According to reviews, the Yellow Post sites at Keller Peak offer remarkable privacy with "9 sites stretched across 5 miles so you will have no neighbors." One visitor to Halfway Camp noted wildlife sightings including "a momma deer and two does in the distance" during their overnight stay. Temperature variations can be extreme at higher elevation tent campgrounds. A camper at Dry Lake Backpacking Campground experienced temperatures dropping to 7 degrees in May despite warm weather at lower elevations. Walk-in tent sites typically provide more seclusion than drive-in campgrounds, with established tent pads that require minimal preparation beyond removing a few rocks.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Banning (59)
1. Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites
"These sites aren't monitored and don't have picnic tables or any amenities, although there is a restroom down the road a little ways where the campsites start, but that's it."
"This particular site has 8 campsites which do have signs to mark the general area, although it is entirely up to you to where to set up camp in the general area."
2. Halfway Camp
"We decided to stay a little further back for a little more privacy from the trail above."
"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!"
3. Dry Lake Backpacking Campground
"We got to the camping area and it's tucked in the woods so there's lots of nooks and crannies even though it's a primitive open group camping area. "
"This is a heavily used campground by many backpackers not only trying to get away for an overnight, but also get a shot at summiting Southern California's tallest mountain, San Gorgonio."
4. Mill Creek Dispersed Camping
"First come first served dispersed camping just outside Big Bear. Near bike trails. Was not crowded mid week, but spots were filling up closer to the weekend."
"I went a to the second fork after the Bluff lake fork. There’s a private campground near the Bluff Lake entrance which made noises i can hear from my site which was before Bluffs lake fork."
5. Limber Pine Bench Campground
"It was my first backpacking campsite, and I've revisited once since then. There are lots of established campsites and they're easy to find. Expect very high winds at night."
"The positives. Beautiful sites, lots of wildlife, plenty of trails for biking and hiking. The negatives. It was a bit of trash pretty much all over the place. The mini golf course needs maintenance."
6. Round Valley Campsite — Mount San Jacinto State Park
"Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com If you are looking for a true alpine backcountry adventure right in Southern California, backpacking into Round Valley Primitive Campsites inside"
"we took the tram up from palm springs and backpacked to the campground before summiting up San Jacinto peak. the views were breathtaking and the elevation was a killer."
7. Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites
"This campground is free with 9 camp site on a 5 mile paved road, the site's have fire ring and picnic benches, no water. Bike trail is fun and a challenge. Camp site 1,3 & 6 are very quiet."
"Some chairs, hammock, water, and utensils were left at the picnic table. Everything was dirty so we assumed they were left by previous campers."
8. Coon Creek Cabin Group Campground
"Easy trail up. Great views. Intersects with PCT."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $127 - $137 / night
9. Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp
"There are no developed facilities (i.e., no firepits, outhouses, etc.) but it is beautiful and there are plenty of flat places to set up a tent."
"Arriving at the campground, the deposit place, obviously on weekends we were not thrilled by everyone around us, as well as the loud noise until past the curfew."
10. Little Round Valley — Mount San Jacinto State Park
"If you're backpacking San Jacinto, this is the way to go! Take the Marion Mtn Trail that goes from Marion Mtn & Fern Basin Campgrounds and spend the night here at Little Round Valley."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 39 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 1 hr 54 min from San Diego, CA
- 2 hrs 8 min from El Centro, CA
- 2 hrs 26 min from Oxnard, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Banning, CA
42 Photos of 59 Banning Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Halfway Camp
Wandering Caboose RanchM
Yucaipa Regional ParkA
Dry Lake Backpacking Campground
Limber Pine Bench Campground
Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post CampitesA
Little Round Valley — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Yellow Post #54
Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites
Holcomb Valley Climbers Camps
Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
Big Pine Flat Campground
Tent Camping Reviews near Banning, CA
1832 Reviews of 59 Banning Campgrounds
- SSandy W.Traveler
Serrano
We liked it a lot. It was our first time there and newbie camper so I didn’t pick the best spot, but it’s a great location, close to the river… I had my dog so we walked the campground quite a bit and it’s good size and I saw a lot of other sites that I would have preferred. The bathroom wasn’t terrible, typical I’d say. The woman working the front was very helpful and nice. Little store close too.
WillTravelerRim of the World Byway (near 15 fwy south) Dispersed
You’ll hear the freeway but who cares. It’s a super easy place to pull off at and there’s a McDonalds and gas station right down the street to fill up at.
- ccarol R.
ScoutTwentynine Palms Resort
upscale Rv resort with pool, hot tub, sauna, laundry, game room.
Sleep with O.ScoutRolling M. Ranch Campground — Chino Hills State Park
Just what I was looking for
- TTanya T.Scout
Mountain Lakes Resort - Membership Campground
OCTOBER 2026
Site is clean, many activities on weekends They also add 1000lb or catfish and trout weekly depending on season. Members were friendly. Downside is wifi when the campsite is 75+ full and only about a dozen paved spots. Major are gravel and dirt.
Matthew E.ScoutBelle Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
A Good Campground During the Week
I discovered this campground in Joshua Tree when the campground I had grown used to staying at (Ryan) went reserved only. Belle is on a first come, first serve basis, so there's no reservations involved. Roughly east of the campground is a trail that leads to the next one down, White Tank, which is popular because of the natural arch that can be found a short distance from the campsites. Belle itself has 18 campsites which are mostly empty during the week. Weekends are busy though as campers are usually jockeying for a site starting on Thursday nights. All in all, a beautiful place that offers splendid views and clear, crisp nights. Campers beware as it can get very windy at times. Vault toilets and campfire rings, but no accessible water.
Aaron S.
RangerRound Valley Campsite — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Gooseberry Site, Alpine Wilderness & A Critical Backcountry Safety Wake-Up
Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for a true alpine backcountry adventure right in Southern California, backpacking into Round Valley Primitive Campsites inside the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness is an incredible experience. By pairing the world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with a weekend wilderness trek, you can leave the scorching low desert and step into sub-alpine granite peaks within minutes. Our crew recently packed our gear, caught the tram, and set up basecamp at the Gooseberry site for a Friday-to-Saturday summit push of Mount San Jacinto.
The scenery and wilderness delivered on every level—but the trip also served as a stark reminder that high-altitude nature commands respect.
The Route & Camp Setup (Gooseberry Site)
Taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway bypasses thousands of vertical feet of grueling desert switchbacks, depositing you at Mountain Station:
- The Trek into Round Valley: From the tram station, it is a scenic~2.5-mile backpack into Round Valley, which sits at an elevation of roughly 9,100 feet.
- The Gooseberry Campsite: Gooseberry is a fantastic primitive backcountry site. Tucked among the lodgepole pines and granite boulders, it offers great shelter, peace, and that genuine wilderness seclusion you crave.
- The Summit Push: We spent Friday night acclimating and resting at basecamp. Early Saturday morning, we pushed for the summit of Mount San Jacinto Peak(10,834 feet). After taking in the panoramic views stretching from the Pacific to the Salton Sea, we descended back to Round Valley, packed up camp, and made the return trek to the tram for the ride down.
The October Shoulder Season: Nature Changes in Minutes
We chose to hike late in the season during October, and anyone heading up during shoulder months needs to understand high-elevation weather:
- T****he Forecast Mirage: On the morning of our summit push, the official forecast predicted clear, sunny skies by noon.
- The High-Alpine Reality: Noon rolled around, and the weather did the exact opposite—we were hit with biting snow flurries and temperatures plunging straight into the 20s.
- Within just two hours, a crisp autumn morning morphed into full-blown freezing winter conditions.
A Serious Backcountry Advisory: 50 Years on the Trail Speaks
As someone with over 50 years of hiking and backpacking experience spanning every corner of the American West, what we witnessed on the trail between Round Valley and the peak was alarming.
We encountered dozens of hikers completely unprepared for foul weather:
- The Outfit: People trekking toward a 10,834-foot alpine peak in short shorts, cotton t-shirts, light sneakers, and carrying little more than a tiny hydration bladder with a couple of snack bars. No insulation, no wind protection, no emergency gear.
- Missing Essentials: Not a single one of the Ten Essentials in sight.
- The Dangerous Mindset: Yes, 99% of the time, casual hikers get lucky and escape without incident. But cell service, 911, and volunteer Search& Rescue teams are not your personal safety net—preparedness and basic common sense are.
- The Golden Rule: Any hiker stepping foot into this wilderness must carry the gear to survive an unexpected night out in freezing conditions. An ankle sprain, altitude sickness, or a sudden squall can turn a fun day hike into hypothermia, acute suffering, or worse. Don't be that guy or gal.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Mount San Jacinto Wilderness and Round Valley’s Gooseberry site delivered everything an outdoor enthusiast could want: pristine trails, incredible pine-scented air, and raw wilderness beauty. Just never forget that nature can bite hard if you let your guard down. Pack your layers, bring your essentials, respect the mountain, and you will have an unforgettable journey.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
- EEric P.
LegendBelle Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
This was our first trip to Joshua Tree. We thoroughly enjoyed this first come first serve campground. The awesome walks into the park and desert landscape make this a place we will definitely return to. Beautiful night sky and stars . The Granite boulders are beautiful!
Guide to Banning
San Bernardino National Forest dispersed camping near Banning, California ranges from primitive sites with minimal facilities to backcountry locations requiring permits. The area sits at elevations between 3,000 and 10,000 feet, creating dramatic temperature variations between seasons and even day to night. Camping regulations change seasonally, with most dispersed sites having limited visitor capacity during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails access: The Exploration Trail near Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites connects to numerous routes with varying difficulty levels. "Tons of land to hike, on or off trail. Geocaching sites nearby. The Keller Peak Lookout was amazing. I thought it was just a tourist attraction but it's really a staffed (with volunteers) active fire lookout," notes Steve H.
Fishing opportunities: Three lakes at Yucaipa Regional Park provide year-round fishing for campers. "Great tent camping facilities, privacy from neighbors, access to Zanja Peak Trail head, 3 lakes for fishing, water park during the summer, and friendly helpful staff," reports Bryan H.
Summit access: Serious hikers can use tent campsites near Banning as base camps for summit attempts. At Halfway Camp, one reviewer prepared for their climb: "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."
What campers like
Solitude factor: Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites offers exceptional privacy according to Jonathan R., who wrote: "Quiet and secluded area. Lots of room to camp. Bring bug spray for flys but other than that I'll camp here anytime." The sites attract campers specifically seeking isolation.
Wildlife encounters: Primitive tent campsites near Banning provide opportunities for wildlife viewing. One camper at Mill Creek Dispersed Camping noted deer sightings: "It's full of trees and seems fairly remote, but we had 5 cars pass us as we were backing away from the incline, so it's obviously a busy spot."
Temperature variations: The high elevation at Dry Lake Backpacking Campground creates distinctive camping conditions. "Although it was May and the weather was beautiful at sea level, it was cold up here! There was snow on the ground but the air was the coldest I've ever felt," reports Kate W.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Backcountry camping in the San Jacinto area requires advance planning. For Round Valley Campsite, "Reservations go fast so you need to submit your permit starting 8 weeks before your trip, however waiting until 4 weeks may be too late. The permit only reserves your space on the mountain."
Access challenges: Many tent campsites near Banning require specific vehicles. At Thomas Hunting Grounds, "Need high clearance or 4wd vehicle for a rough road but once you get to the top, the sites are great! Limited shade during middle of day but well worth the trip."
Water availability: Water sources vary significantly between sites. For Halfway Camp, permits are required and one camper noted the convenience of natural sources: "These spots are nice and already cleared. Maybe one or two rocks that needed to be moved, but it was minimal! We did have a momma deer and two does in the distance."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access: Yucaipa Regional Park offers water recreation options beyond standard tent camping. Ken B. notes, "The newer sites don't have a lot of mature trees, the older sites have a little more wear and tear but also bigger trees. Nice splash zone."
Beginner-friendly locations: Limber Pine Bench Campground provides an accessible introduction to backcountry camping. "This is such a great campsite. It was my first backpacking campsite, and I've revisited once since then. There are lots of established campsites and they're easy to find," explains Daniel J.
Safety considerations: Parents should prepare for temperature changes when camping with children. At Dry Lake Backpacking Campground, a camper experienced extreme temperature drops: "We got to the camping area and it's tucked in the woods so there's lots of nooks and crannies even though it's a primitive open group camping area."
Tips from RVers
Campground access: For RV owners wanting to explore dispersed camping, Mill Creek Dispersed Camping presents specific challenges: "The road up to the actual spot is gravel, with lots of potholes and washboard areas, which would make it difficult for an RV. But the biggest issue for RVs is an area of the road that is very steep."
RV size limitations: Not all tent campsites near Banning accommodate larger vehicles. One visitor noted: "There's no way that even a Class C rig would be able to take that steep incline and immediately do that sharp turn. And since there's nowhere to turn around in that spot, you'd have to back your rig down."
Alternative options: Yucaipa Regional Park provides full hookups that many dispersed sites lack. One RVer shared: "Large concrete pads that can handle any rig. So much to do all around a park. Does get very cold, was in the teens overnight when I was there in Feb. Fires allowed which is nice."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Banning, CA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Banning, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Banning, CA is Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites with a 4.7-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Banning, CA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Banning, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 59 tent camping locations near Banning, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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