Best Tent Camping near Big Bear Lake, CA
San Bernardino National Forest offers numerous tent camping options near Big Bear Lake, California, from established campgrounds to primitive sites. Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites and Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites provide free tent sites with varying levels of solitude. Mill Creek Dispersed Camping areas allow for backcountry-style tent camping just outside the developed areas. Several tent-specific sites in the region offer walk-in access with mountain views and high-elevation camping experiences.
Most tent sites feature bare ground with minimal amenities, requiring campers to bring all supplies including water. Fire rings are present at many sites, though seasonal fire restrictions are common, especially during summer months. Yellow Post sites typically include fire rings and sometimes picnic tables, but lack drinking water and restroom facilities. Tent campers should note that higher elevation sites can experience extreme temperature variations, with overnight temperatures dropping significantly even in summer. According to one visitor, "It was cold up here! There was snow on the ground but the air was the coldest I've ever felt."
The tent camping areas around Big Bear Lake provide excellent access to surrounding trail networks including the Pacific Crest Trail. Sites are typically spaced well apart, offering privacy that tent campers particularly appreciate. One camper noted that "the sites were interestingly laid out and some had little wooded areas that you actually camp behind, others had interesting ground layouts with multiple levels." Many tent sites sit at elevations above 7,000 feet, offering cooler summer temperatures and excellent star-gazing opportunities. Wildlife sightings are common at the more remote tent sites, with deer frequently visiting campsites in the early morning and evening hours. Winter camping is possible at some lower-elevation tent sites, though snow makes access challenging without appropriate vehicles and gear.
