Camping options near Big Bear Lake range from rustic to refined, with winter temperatures often dropping below 25°F and summer days reaching 80°F. Located in the San Bernardino National Forest at 6,750 feet elevation, Big Bear's campgrounds frequently implement fire restrictions during dry seasons and many close entirely November through March.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Serrano Campground offers direct access to hiking trails through a convenient tunnel passage. "This campground is right across from the Discovery Center in Big Bear, which is where a couple fun hiking trails begin," notes Sarah C. The campground connects to Cougar Crest Trail which includes "Pokemon stops for the kids" according to TheWolfman Z.
Winter activities: North Shore Campground - Lake Almanor provides winter camping opportunities with heated options. "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," writes Nicole W.
Hot springs soaking: Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground features natural hot springs accessible via trail. "Worth your bucklist! Super fun place to visit with the hot springs trail. Went in January with snowfall, hardly any campers and nature all around," says Kelly Anne M. The springs are clothing optional, which may affect your comfort level.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites offers dispersed camping with significant space between sites. "There are only 9 sites stretched across 5 miles so you will have no neighbors. Each site is decent size and tucked away into the rocks," explains Kristil C.
Clean facilities: Serrano Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Great clean campground. Flush toilets, clean restrooms, well stocked," notes TheWolfman Z. Another camper adds, "The campground itself is very clean. We were right by the restrooms, which was nice. Clean flush toilets and showers."
Lakefront camping: Campers appreciate sites with water access. "We pulled a 27' Travel Trailer from Livermore, CA and picked out the perfect site #94. It was the furthest RV site north of the campground and we had power, water and sewage. It was a lake front campsite so we had a nice view of the lake right in our 'front yard'," reports Ed E.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds close during winter months. The season at Serrano runs "Mar 15 - Nov 24" according to listings, while Nicole W. notes: "We camped here the last weekend before they closed for the winter, after Thanksgiving."
Fire regulations: Fire rules vary by location and season. At Keller Peak, one camper warns, "Rangers do come by and take down information of the leader of the group. They are very strict on parties are not allowed. NO FIRES."
Booking challenges: Lighthouse Trailer Resort & Marina and other popular spots fill quickly. "This was a cozy little place. Many long stay residents and seemingly some part time houses which honestly makes it reliably quiet and peaceful," explains Thomas W.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly features: Several campgrounds offer amenities specifically for children. "We had a double spot and it was very spacious which is what we were looking for because we had 5 kids, 4 dogs, and 7 adults," shares Brittany N. about Serrano Campground.
Biking opportunities: Bring bicycles for additional recreation options. "We loved camping here. Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake. The town is bike friendly," notes Trey T. about Serrano.
Yurt camping options: Mojave River Forks Regional Park provides yurt camping near Big Bear Lake with family-friendly layouts. "This was our first time going to this campground and we loved it! It was entirely sold out for both weekend nights, so plan ahead," advises a camper named Bower.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Carefully choose your site location for convenience. "Only thing I wish is that the bathrooms were closer to the hookup spots. I know most RVs have bathrooms but most pop ups don't and from space 58 to the nearest bathroom is a 1/4 mile walk," advises Martha S.
Uneven sites: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for leveling. "All under trees (as far as we could see). We managed to find a spot but they do take reservations and that's your best bet," notes Jennifer D. about Serrano.
Weather considerations: Be prepared for temperature variations. "Weather is definitely colder than in the valley, got snow overnight in mid May. Had very bad but there at&t cell reception," reports Jillian from Keller Peak.
