Big Bear Lake, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Big Bear Lake camping trip.
"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."
"It’s a bit of a drive but very scenic and should be doable in any car. My campsite was big and spacious and looked up at an outcropping of rocks. It had a makeshift fire pit and picnic table."
$40 - $55 / night
"Very spacious and good for big rigs. LOTS of activities for families (splash pad)."
"The lakeview area has dirt roads, sparse grass and a few spots close to the lake. The Cottonwood campground has concrete pads and well maintained grass throughout."
"Had to hang the rear of the trailer over the river bank about 8’. Not a big deal but took the rear stabilizer out of play for the weekend.
Good shade and campers were friendly."
"First time at a site with hook ups with our new travel trailer. Hook ups were simple...water, 50/30/&20A electric, sewer. Sewer inlet was a bit high."
$50 - $100 / night
"I love the location of this rv resort and, although it’s not perfect for everyone, it was great for our family."
"No wood fires but they do offer gas fire pits in the community area. Nice bathrooms as well. Incredible views. Spots are a little tight if you have a bigger unit. "
$79 - $400 / night
"Great facilities"
$15 - $55 / night
"A great spot away from the main Joshua Tree strip. We visited for one night during the waning height of COVID and staff was taking all the necessary precautions."
"We did a day trip into Joshua Tree National Park, which was amazing. It was a hot day but the RV park had full hookups so we could run the AC in the RV to escape the heat."
$58 / night
"Dan was so helpful finding us a pull through spot. Most amazing sunset on a full moon night and incredibly quiet but wonderful bird sounds welcomed us at dusk as we drove into park."
"Russell confirmed our ability to stay on a late arrival and Dan was so helpful in helping us find a pull through spot for one night."
"Being reasonably close to our home base, we frequent this park with the family."
"Our campsite had a citrus tree, and it was a nice private area. We arrived right after all the snowbirds had left, so we literally had the whole place to ourself."
$22 - $44 / night
"Great for long term RV camping with hookups. They have nice hot springs pools, decent cell signal, and reasonable prices for full hookups."
"This place has a great weekly rate ($35 per night) and great amenities. We got a site across from the laundry/pool/bathroom which was also not far from the dog park."
"The amenities were well kept, all sites were concrete slabs, and the signal was good, but it was very loud sit to close proximity to major roads and wasn’t very kid friendly."
"Palm Springs Oasis is very small but it was a great place to stay with just a 5-10 minute drive to downtown!"
RangerOur RV sites are available for either short-term or long-term stays. Each site include a patio, privacy fence, full utility hookups, a 6’x8’ storage shed, a 2 vehicle driveway, and an individual mailbox.
Our Lakefront RV Sites are also available for long-term or short-term stays. They are fully concreted, easily accessible and have full utility hookups – including cable TV and free Wi-Fi, storage sheds, and deck boxes are available for your convenience.
Each site also has parking for your watercraft and provides a nice patio table and an unobstructed view of beautiful Lake Elsinore and the San Gorgonio Mountains.
GuideLittle family owned RV spot— some long termers. Everyone super nice. Big spot, shade of trees, walk down to lake. Full hookup. 7 minutes to big bear lake town. Hiking trails out front gate. Probably not big rig friendly.
GuideThe is a beautiful Thousand Trails RV Resort in Palm Springs, California! The park is large, very spacious and so clean! The gorgeous Palm trees are a little bit of a parking hazard, but they were here before we were! 😊 And besides, they are so beautiful to look at every day. The park feels like a day on beach with white sand to park on in most spaces, towering Palm trees, and brightly colored tropical flowers. What a treat in the winter! We are here in November and December and daytime high’s are in the low 80’s. The park is split in half with one side 30 amp FHU and the other half 50 amp FHU. For TT members, there is not an additional charge for 50 amp. Quite a deal! There is plenty of room to get out and walk in this park, along with a nice dog park, playground, billiards room, swimming pool and spa, horseshoes, 8 pickle ball courts, many laundry rooms and restrooms, and community recreation room. The surrounding mountains ranges are pretty amazing, too. This park is close to it all in the Palm Springs area and everything is within a short drive. Joshua Tree National Park and the Salton Sea is just over a half hour away. The Thousand Trails Palm Springs RV Resort is perfect and we will definitely be visiting again!
For videos on this park and others, check out our YouTube channel: Jeff & Steff’s Excellent Adventure.
GuideShadow Hills RV Resort is a stellar urban RV resort with all the amenities. Full hookups, daily trash pickups at each site, cable tv, large level pads with privacy hedge, small dog parks scattered throughout, gated security, nice restrooms w/ showers (free). We were visiting family who were just a short bike ride away. Can be extremely windy here. Desert X environmental art installations are nearby.
ScoutReal toilets and urinal puts this site at the top. Relatively small site with maybe 20 spots. All are well distanced, easy to setup in and there is a running water faucet for clean outs. Tucked kinda away and 40 minutes from Big Bear Lake it's not the most convenient place to be.
TravelerA well managed, well-kept park. Plenty of 50-amp sites, which usually means BIG rigs, are all back-in. The mature date palms and tight sites makes parking and manuevering diffecult for big rigs. Very lively community; lots of people out, kid playing. Proximity to Interstate 10 and railroad tracks makes it a bit noisy. But, it's NOT too bad. Plenty of TV stations along with 5G cell service. It's not in the rules so, I believe I'm allowed to wash my rig.
ScoutMy wife and I have been coming up here for years. We used to use her parents fifth wheel or use a cabin but recently purchased our own travel trailer. Now we come up here with our kids and I can’t say enough about how family friendly it is.
Travelerthis camp ground was the first I stayed in while growing up. It sits right along the head waters of the Santa Ana river, and is a perfect spot for fishermen looking to get and early jump on the river in fishing season, or for hikers looking to take the Santa Ana trail into the San Gorgonio wilderness. It is also only about 20 min out from Big Bear Lake. the grounds are equipped with fresh water from pumps, restrooms, as well as picnic tables and fire rings.
One of my favorite parts about this campground is that it is surrounded by cedar trees, providing amazing shade to the grounds from the hot summer sun. However, As I said, it sits along the river, which mean it is in a valley like formation of the mountain. due to this it can get chilly quickly in these sites regardless of the season.
the campground is much smaller than many others in the area, some close together, and the whole campground has been recently renovated. it hasn’t been open for nearly two seasons in a row now, however it does look ready to go, so hopefully next.
LegendA bit challenging to locate via Google Maps... Just go up (south) Summit Blvd, when you get to the parking lot of the ski resort, veer towards the left, and just past a concrete wall, you'll see the little Pineknot Campground sign attached to an aluminium pole. The campground is very cozy, countless tall pine trees, clean bathrooms, clean sites, water from taps, no hookups, and not for big rigs. The hosts are friendly, but strict! No generators from 8 pm to 8 am, a $3000 fine if your campfire is left unattended, and no rowdy obnoxious behavior is tolerated! We appreciated the rules, and thoroughly enjoyed our peaceful, quiet, deep in the woods getaway!!
Big Bear Lake, California, offers a fantastic escape for RV enthusiasts, with a variety of well-reviewed parks that cater to different needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best RV parks and campgrounds at Big Bear Lake?
Big Bear Lake offers several excellent RV camping options. Lighthouse Trailer Resort & Marina is a family-owned spot with full hookups, shaded sites, and lake access just 7 minutes from town. While it may not accommodate big rigs, its proximity to hiking trails makes it popular. For those seeking a more upscale experience, Big Bear Shores RV Resort provides premium amenities and is big-rig friendly. Other options include Holloway's Marina & RV Park, which offers convenient lake access, and Pineknot Campground for a more rustic experience near the ski resort area. Each location offers unique advantages depending on whether you prioritize lake access, proximity to town, or a quiet forest setting.
What amenities are available at Big Bear Lake RV resorts?
RV resorts around Big Bear Lake typically offer a range of amenities to enhance your stay. Crane Lakeside Mobile Home Park & RV Resort provides full utility hookups, patios with privacy fences, storage sheds, two-vehicle driveways, and individual mailboxes. Some sites even offer lakefront views. Mountain Lakes Resort is known for being particularly family-friendly with activities and facilities suited for children. Most Big Bear resorts include standard amenities like water hookups, electric service, and dump stations. Some premium locations offer cable TV, WiFi, laundry facilities, and community gathering spaces. Public campgrounds near Big Bear tend to offer more basic amenities, generally providing vault toilets and potable water but fewer hookup options.
How much does RV camping cost at Big Bear Lake?
RV camping costs at Big Bear Lake vary based on amenities, location, and season. Public campgrounds like Heart Bar Campground offer more affordable options at around $21 per night for basic sites without hookups or dump stations. For full-service RV resorts, prices typically range from $50-$120 per night depending on the season and amenities. Holloway's Marina & RV Park and other lakefront properties generally command premium rates, especially during summer and holiday weekends. Many resorts offer discounted weekly and monthly rates for extended stays. Winter rates can be lower except during peak ski season. Reservation fees may apply, and some locations require minimum stays during high-demand periods. Always book well in advance for summer and holiday weekends.
Can you rent RVs in Big Bear California?
Yes, you can rent RVs in and around Big Bear California, though options are somewhat limited in the immediate area. Several nationwide RV rental services operate in Southern California with delivery options to Big Bear Lake campgrounds. Local outdoor recreation companies occasionally offer RV rentals, particularly during peak summer and winter seasons. For those staying at Pineknot or other campgrounds without renting locally, many visitors rent from companies in San Bernardino or Riverside and drive up to Big Bear. Rates typically range from $150-$300 per night depending on the RV size and amenities, with minimum rental periods of 2-3 nights common. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and winter holidays when demand is highest.
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