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Campgrounds around Big Bear City in California's San Bernardino Mountains offer a mix of established facilities and dispersed options. Several developed sites like Pineknot, Serrano, and Hanna Flat Campground provide amenities for both tent and RV camping, with most featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. These established campgrounds generally operate from May through October, though some like San Gorgonio Campground remain open year-round. For those seeking more primitive experiences, dispersed camping is available at East Flats and several yellow post sites in the surrounding national forest.
Access to many campgrounds requires advance planning, especially during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The region's elevation of 6,700+ feet means temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer months. "Campsites are well spaced out for the most part. Would recommend finding a site at the back of the campground if you want more privacy," noted one visitor about Pineknot Campground. Fire restrictions are common during dry seasons, with several reviewers mentioning temporary fire bans. Campgrounds closer to town like Pineknot provide easier access to amenities but may offer less seclusion than more remote locations.
Campers report varying experiences depending on proximity to Big Bear Lake and the town center. Those seeking quiet often prefer the more distant forest service campgrounds where wildlife sightings are common. "Despite being close to a developed area, the campground still feels like a getaway in the woods," mentioned one camper about Pineknot's surprisingly secluded atmosphere despite its location near Snow Summit ski resort. Sites with mountain views tend to receive higher ratings, though they may have less shade. Several campgrounds feature bear boxes, as wildlife encounters are possible throughout the region. The most popular campgrounds near water or with amenities like flush toilets tend to require reservations well in advance, particularly during summer and fall weekends. Big Bear City camping options provide excellent access to hiking trails and fishing spots, making them ideal for outdoor recreation throughout the camping season.
"We camped just a few steps away from the lake, there were other campers there but the campgrounds are far enough away from each other."
"This camp site is located walking distance to the lake. There are bike paths and walking trails located near the camp ground."
from $44 - $91 / night
Check Availability"Has a hiking trail not far away. Close to big bear city about 15mi South. Not too far from Jenka lake to do some fishing."
"The first thing to mention is the location. The back of the campground faces west where the rolling mountains seem to part in a way that showcases the beautiful California sunset."
from $29 - $58 / night
Check Availability"San Gorgonio, aptly named for the famed crown peak near by, is a nice mix of family friendly and weekend escape."
"If you live in Southern California and haven't climbed the highest peak, you need to get out there and experience nature."
from $34 - $69 / night
Check Availability"We were tucked up into the hill side with neighbors far enough sway to make it very private. There were no showers so we brought our travel one and hung it from a branch."
"We arrived at Hanna Flat campground around 11 am on Friday, August 21. First thing about the campground is that the road to get to it is pretty rough."
from $33 - $67 / night
Check Availability"Pineknot is perfectly situated in Big Bear where you're in the woods but only a short walk to Snow Summit. "
"The last few times we have gone we have stayed in 19 because of its location and layout."
from $34 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Lots of great trails and off trail hiking for all levels of experience plus climbing locations for the rockers out there."
"Though this campground doesn’t have spectacular views, it is located in the historic Holcomb Valley and surrounded by tons of hiking and offroad trails to explore. Tall trees with plenty of shade!"
from $27 / night
Check Availability"Came here for a weekend, good spot for tent camping, I went on an off trail hike, cool, fun area. Some views. Drove over to the lake but couldn’t find parking. Very quiet and clean as well."
"mountain just a short hike away from our site, #23. "
from $36 - $73 / night
Check Availability"What more can you ask for a few hours away from LA proper…"
"Saw multiple deer walking by our site. Easy to drag in dust and very annoying. We easily found a spot for our van."
"It was Memorial Day weekend pretty busy but camp site was nice rented pontoon boat just a walk from park all in all good time"
"We rented a boat on Saturday and was great just to walk out on the dock with the kids. 4 hr rental was just enough. Make reservations for they sell out on the weekends. Super easy."
"This place is great for 2 days trip and it's close to big bear city."
"There's other rough roads further in and access to hikes nearby. I loved how quiet it was, except for neighbors since sound carries so easily even though spots are quiet apart from each other."
TravelerCamped with two people and had tons of space in our site. The car parking is a slightly away from the site, which we liked but maybe not other peoples’ preference
ScoutHas a security guard that thought she was God or something like that. Never seen anybody or place so petty on the place and still searching for the championship horseshoe pits and I can't stop talking about the dark green of the fishing lakes and the fish swimming on their sides
TravelerWe reserved and paid for a regular RV site specifically advertised for a 36–40 ft motorhome. We were assigned Site#28, which was so sloped and unsuitable that we could not safely extend either our living-room slide-out or bedroom slide-out. While using our leveling system, two front hydraulic jack rods broke and one rear jack became severely bent and could not retract. Our motorhome was left unsafe to drive or move. The exact mechanical cause still requires professional inspection, but the condition and slope of the assigned site are serious concerns. We immediately notified the campground by email, provided photographs, and went to the office seeking help with an incident report, emergency assistance, and a safe plan for the stranded motorhome. Unfortunately, management refused to take meaningful responsibility or help us resolve the emergency. The most disappointing part was not only the unsuitable site, but the lack of concern and assistance after a guest’s large motorhome became immobilized on the property. We had to return to work on Monday and were left trying to arrange emergency service, towing, transportation, and accommodation on our own. Based on this experience, I cannot recommend Holloway’s RV Park to owners of large Class A motorhomes. If you have a 36–40 ft RV, carefully inspect the assigned site’s slope, space, and leveling conditions before parking or deploying your jacks.
ScoutThe scenery is unique and enjoyable, with nice views of either sunrise or sunset, depending on site. I found the lake itself very pretty. However when we arrived 4 vehicles are in our spot, people were nice enough moving but we had to go door to door knocking on camper to ask who's cars they were due to no signal and no rangers nearby. Our site was pretty dirty with lots of trash, copious ants near the drainage attachments, and two of the nearby groups had excessive tents extending into the back of our site making our view look more like a homeless encampment and less like a serene mountain sunset. They also were littering, urinating outside, and excessively drinking and partying like crazy until the wee hours. As a family group we felt really uncomfortable. It seemed like not all spots are like this, however, on my walk around deer loop in the morning. If you do go, the water activities and rentals look fun, the walking trail/biking trail was nicely done, and you could optimize your spot by booking a whole group of spots (instead of booking one, book one on the right and left side to avoid feeling like you have entered homeless refuge). It maybe was a bit worse as we were here over a holiday weekend. But we most likely won't be back, there are other places that are less expensive and with better enforcement and a family atmosphere. If you want to party it is probably a fine spot, and if you love water sports also likely ok. I thin it's a beautiful place with unique scenery and a lot of potential, but needs more enforcement regarding guest code of conduct.
Edited and gave 3 stars instead of 2. Views are really nice now that our poorly behaved neighbors left. Worth considering a visit during less busy times.
TravelerNice campground, clean and well maintained - would pick a different spot a bit further from street. If you want to go to lake, its a bit away so need car.
ScoutEasy to get to. I have an AWD sprinter no problem. Son has an Acura TLX made it up no issue had a few spin outs on steeper parts. Higher sites are nice and spaced.
RangerNo lake view, which was a bit disappointing. Nice wooded area though with tree climbing. A bit loud music from the neighbors, not until very late so was OK. Limited amount of toilets for the amount of spots
TravelerCamp site is in walking distance of Idyllwild. Has has a couple of sites with electric hookups. Bathrooms are clean, showers need a token for $1. Being close to the road makes it noisy during the daytime .
TravelerStockton flats yellow post sights 1-8 can be driven easily in any 2wd vehicle with moderate clearance. I took my f250 service body truck to site#6 or im assuming its #6. Sites are not label. Trail Roads got washed and i wasnt able to continue further to verify. If you’re afraid of clearance issues stick to sites 1 & 2. At the time of going, 3,4 & 5 looked like perfect sights to stay, other sites were rough and a rake would be needed minimum to make it comfortable. #9 currently requires minor upgrades to reach the campground. A stock jeep with oversized tires could easily get to that location as of 8-29-2026
Dispersed camping options near Big Bear City, California include several yellow post sites in the San Bernardino National Forest. Located at elevations over 6,700 feet, these primitive sites provide alternatives to developed campgrounds with varying levels of accessibility. Weather can shift dramatically in the mountains, with summer temperatures often dropping below 40°F at night.
Mountain biking access: At Pineknot, campers can reach Snow Summit ski resort on foot for summer activities. "Pineknot is perfectly situated in Big Bear where you're in the woods but only a short walk to Snow Summit. This allows you a staging area to ride mountain bikes all day at Snow Summit and around the mountain but allows you the convenience to be camped nearby," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails nearby: Several campgrounds connect to trail networks. At Hanna Flat Campground, "Campsite 49/51 is right by the trail to hike and bike," according to a camper. Another adds, "The PCT is near by and has a couple of trails right there."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The meadow at Heart Bar Campground offers excellent wildlife spotting. "This campground sits right over a small meadow that boarders the San Gorgonio wilderness. This spot is excellent for wildlife viewing and entry to the wilderness for hiking and exploring," one camper reports. Another visitor saw "multiple deer walking by our site" at East Flats dispersed area.
Spacious campsites: Many visitors appreciate campgrounds with ample space between sites. "We managed to find a spot but they do take reservations and that's your best bet. We chose the loop closest to the lake, just about a minute walk for a nice view," notes one camper at Serrano. Another camper mentioned, "Nice 'big' spots so you don't feel like you're on top of one another."
Free dispersed camping: For budget-conscious travelers, East Flats provides cost-free camping. "There are a lot of spaces and they are level multiple spots for a class a 34 foot motorhome. I am far enough away where I don't hear everyone talking," states one visitor. Another notes it's "easy to find a little rough but fairly easy to reach with our Sedan."
Winter camping options: Unlike seasonal campgrounds, San Gorgonio Campground operates year-round. "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. There is a biking trail that goes through the campground that was well used," reports one winter visitor.
Fire restrictions: Fire bans are common during dry periods. At yellow post sites, fire pits are provided but often restricted. "Campsites are all a decent size and they all have a picnic table and a bear box. No showers, no rv dump station, just water from the pipe, toilets, picnic tables, fire ring, and a bear box," notes a Heart Bar visitor.
Bear boxes required: Wildlife encounters necessitate proper food storage. At Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites, one camper advises, "Don't leave Ice chest out and 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."
Reservation tips: Popular campgrounds fill quickly. "Already marked on my calendar to look in July of next summer! Clean facilities and great staff! We will be back for sure!" advises one Serrano camper. Another notes, "First come first served, so weekdays are the best time to get a spot" at Holcomb Valley Campground.
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer spaces for children to play. "We were in spaces 1 and 3, which were close to the main gate. Between the two spaces, was a huge open area, which was great for the kids and dogs to play," shares a Pineknot camper.
Educational opportunities: The Discovery Center provides learning experiences. "It's right across from the Discovery Center in Big Bear, which is where a couple fun hiking trails begin," mentions a Serrano visitor. Another adds, "Pokemon stops for the kids" are available nearby.
Temperature preparation: Mountain nights get cold even in summer. "It was May but got cold enough at night but was absolutely perfect during the day," notes a Hanna Flat camper. At Heart Bar, "Don't be surprised by temps reaching as high as 90° in the summer and near freezing in the fall at night."
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds require navigating rough roads. "Dirt roads were well kept. I came with a 170 wheel base Sprinter Van w/ 2 wheel drive and had no problems making it to site post #11," reports a visitor to Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites. For larger vehicles, "There are some really great sites to choose from" at San Gorgonio where "lots of spots a 32' trailer could easily back in."
Hookup availability: Few campgrounds offer full hookups. "Make sure you take the back way up the mountain. It's no joke pulling a trailer up there," advises an RV camper. Another notes that even without hookups, "The sites are beautiful and clean, and there is a beautiful meadow to hike through, and you can drive 10 minutes to Jenks Lake for some fishing and lake views."
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste disposal. A camper at San Gorgonio noted, "Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains." At Barton Flats Family Campground, "The bathrooms and showers were clean, and the hosts were friendly. There is a hiking trail that goes out of camp and plenty of other options in the area."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Big Bear City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Big Bear City, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 404 campgrounds and RV parks near Big Bear City, CA and 99 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Big Bear City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Big Bear City, CA is Serrano with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Big Bear City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 99 free dispersed camping spots near Big Bear City, CA.
What parks are near Big Bear City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Big Bear City, CA that allow camping, notably San Bernardino National Forest and Mojave River Dam.
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