Camping areas near Banning, California range from desert lowlands at 2,400 feet to alpine forests above 8,000 feet in elevation. The region's varied topography creates distinct microclimates where summer temperatures can differ by 30°F between lower and higher elevation campsites. Most dispersed camping options sit within San Bernardino National Forest, with developed campgrounds clustered along Highway 38 north of Banning and around Idyllwild to the southeast.
What to do
Hiking trails access: San Gorgonio Campground connects to multiple trail systems including paths to San Gorgonio Mountain. "There is a great trail off the backside of the campground as well. It can be a bit loud and the trees are tall and skinny so there's not a ton of privacy, but it's woodsy and beautiful," notes one visitor at San Gorgonio Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Located 20 miles from Banning, several lakes provide fishing options. "Drove over to the lake but couldn't find parking. Very quiet and clean as well," reports a camper who stayed at Barton Flats Family Campground. Heart Bar Campground visitors often visit nearby waters: "Not too far from Jenks lake to do some fishing. The host are great people check they drive around and check up on people to see how they're doing," explains a Heart Bar Campground guest.
Mountain biking: Forested areas around Idyllwild offer extensive biking trails. One visitor to Serrano notes, "We loved camping here. Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake. The town is bike friendly." At Heart Bar, another camper mentions, "Lots of hiking and mountain biking in area. Great views."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers value secluded spots. At Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post sites, a reviewer shared, "Quiet and secluded area. Lots of room to camp. Bring bug spray for flys but other than that I'll camp here anytime." Another camper at Stone Creek Campground remarked, "This is the smaller, less rowdy campground associated with the tourist town. The outer ring sites are huge, and most of them are fairly private especially the loop to the right of the entry."
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation campgrounds provide relief from summer heat. A visitor to Yucaipa Regional Park mentioned, "Excellent campground. Well maintained. 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."
Cleanliness: Many campsites maintain good standards. At Stone Creek Campground, a visitor noted, "The camp hosts were super friendly, helping us with the pay machine and some park info. They kept the vault toilets clean and drove around with a golf cart full of firewood to sell for just $6 per bundle."
What you should know
Wildlife precautions: Bears frequent higher elevation campgrounds. A camper at San Gorgonio advises, "Don't leave Ice chest out & Please be sure to cover your ice chest, even in your vehicle, as the bears, are all too familiar with them. My sister did not heed my warning, and we woke in the middle of the night to the local resident (a bear) tipping and subsequently going through her cooler."
Fire restrictions vary: Regulations change seasonally and by location. At Stone Creek near Idyllwild, one camper reported, "It got really cold at night, about 10 degrees colder that Idyllwild Town limits. And there was a no open flame aloud because of how dry it was—which we did not know until we arrived. Might want to check that out."
Altitude considerations: Mountain campgrounds sit at elevations that can affect comfort. "Due to the proximity to the high mountain peaks and desert, you get a very distinct feel of the Eastern Sierra. Sage brush, junipers, mixed with black oak, cedar trees, and an array of pines make this area quite well shaded, but also grow well due to the heat the area can reach. Don't be surprised by temps reaching as high as 90° in the summer and near freezing in the fall at night," explains a visitor to San Gorgonio.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Some sites offer more for children. At Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground, a camper shared, "Lake Perris was a fun and clean place to camp at! We did some fishing, bike riding, the water was clear, and my kids loved it. There is a cool museum were the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes."
Consider group sites: Larger family gatherings need specific spaces. A visitor to Heart Bar Campground stated, "The double sites are a must when going with a group of 10 people. This specific site is very spacious with double of the parking spots (4 cars total), 2 fire pits, and 2 benches."
Shade availability: Protection from sun matters for families. At Yucaipa Regional Park, a reviewer noted, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many mountain campsites require adjustments. One visitor to Lake Perris observed, "A lot of spaces are unleveled but it's not a deal breaker for me. A cool spot but no sewage and WI-FI is kind of inconvenient."
Hookup limitations: Services vary widely between campgrounds. At Banning Stagecoach KOA, an RVer noted, "The electrical connection at my sites were old and almost unusable. The internet was non-existent." However, others had better experiences: "Very clean, dog friendly (with dog park) helpful nice staff, propane available, small playground and swimming pool, picnic tables and grills at each site."
Access considerations: Road conditions affect larger vehicles. A camper at Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post sites advised, "Need high clearance or 4wd vehicle for a rough road but once you get to the top, the sites are great!" Similarly, at Serrano, a reviewer mentioned, "We camped here the last weekend before they closed for the winter, after Thanksgiving. The campground was clean, quiet, and had a decent amount of space between sites."
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