Will
Traveler
TravelerRim of the World Byway (near 15 fwy south) Dispersed
You’ll hear the freeway but who cares. It’s a super easy place to pull off at and there’s a McDonalds and gas station right down the street to fill up at.
Tent Camping near Big Bear Lake, CA
2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Search destinations
Add dates
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.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Big Bear Lake (56)
1. Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites
"These sites aren't monitored and don't have picnic tables or any amenities, although there is a restroom down the road a little ways where the campsites start, but that's it."
"This particular site has 8 campsites which do have signs to mark the general area, although it is entirely up to you to where to set up camp in the general area."
2. Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp
"There are no developed facilities (i.e., no firepits, outhouses, etc.) but it is beautiful and there are plenty of flat places to set up a tent."
"Arriving at the campground, the deposit place, obviously on weekends we were not thrilled by everyone around us, as well as the loud noise until past the curfew."
3. Mill Creek Dispersed Camping
"First come first served dispersed camping just outside Big Bear. Near bike trails. Was not crowded mid week, but spots were filling up closer to the weekend."
"I went a to the second fork after the Bluff lake fork. There’s a private campground near the Bluff Lake entrance which made noises i can hear from my site which was before Bluffs lake fork."
4. Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites
"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."
"Some chairs, hammock, water, and utensils were left at the picnic table. Everything was dirty so we assumed they were left by previous campers."
5. Dry Lake Backpacking Campground
"We got to the camping area and it's tucked in the woods so there's lots of nooks and crannies even though it's a primitive open group camping area. "
"This is a heavily used campground by many backpackers not only trying to get away for an overnight, but also get a shot at summiting Southern California's tallest mountain, San Gorgonio."
6. Tanglewood Group Campground
"Campground is nestled in pine woods where you have to drive quite far in through dirt road to get there. Pretty secluded, but accommodate our large group. Spacious for several cars."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $149 - $159 / night
7. Big Pine Flat Campground
"Big Pines Flats is set right next to a meadow at a forest crossing heading to Holcomb Valley, Victorville, Fawnskin, and Green Valley Lake."
8. Limber Pine Bench Campground
"It was my first backpacking campsite, and I've revisited once since then. There are lots of established campsites and they're easy to find. Expect very high winds at night."
"The positives. Beautiful sites, lots of wildlife, plenty of trails for biking and hiking. The negatives. It was a bit of trash pretty much all over the place. The mini golf course needs maintenance."
9. Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
"Green valley lake campground is an awesome place for a fun getaway. We wanted to get away for the Fourth of July but waited too long to book in Big Bear."
"After years of venturing into and around Lake Arrowhead (often a mere stop on my way to Big Bear/Fawnskin) I finally started exploring off the beaten path by accident last year and holy cow!"
10. Yellow Post #54
"You will earn this spot as the drive from Hwy 38 is long and rocky."
Drive Time
- 2 hrs from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 33 min from San Diego, CA
- 2 hrs 41 min from Oxnard, CA
- 3 hrs 9 min from El Centro, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Big Bear Lake, CA
41 Photos of 56 Big Bear Lake Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Holcomb Valley Climbers Camps
Big Pine Flat Campground
Limber Pine Bench Campground
Yellow Post #54
Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites
Dry Lake Backpacking Campground
Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites
Halfway Camp
Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
Yucaipa Regional ParkA
Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground
Wandering Caboose RanchM
Tent Camping Reviews near Big Bear Lake, CA
1506 Reviews of 56 Big Bear Lake Campgrounds
- ccarol R.
ScoutTwentynine Palms Resort
upscale Rv resort with pool, hot tub, sauna, laundry, game room.
- TTanya T.Scout
Mountain Lakes Resort - Membership Campground
OCTOBER 2026
Site is clean, many activities on weekends They also add 1000lb or catfish and trout weekly depending on season. Members were friendly. Downside is wifi when the campsite is 75+ full and only about a dozen paved spots. Major are gravel and dirt.
Aaron S.
RangerRound Valley Campsite — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Gooseberry Site, Alpine Wilderness & A Critical Backcountry Safety Wake-Up
Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for a true alpine backcountry adventure right in Southern California, backpacking into Round Valley Primitive Campsites inside the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness is an incredible experience. By pairing the world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with a weekend wilderness trek, you can leave the scorching low desert and step into sub-alpine granite peaks within minutes. Our crew recently packed our gear, caught the tram, and set up basecamp at the Gooseberry site for a Friday-to-Saturday summit push of Mount San Jacinto.
The scenery and wilderness delivered on every level—but the trip also served as a stark reminder that high-altitude nature commands respect.
The Route & Camp Setup (Gooseberry Site)
Taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway bypasses thousands of vertical feet of grueling desert switchbacks, depositing you at Mountain Station:
- The Trek into Round Valley: From the tram station, it is a scenic~2.5-mile backpack into Round Valley, which sits at an elevation of roughly 9,100 feet.
- The Gooseberry Campsite: Gooseberry is a fantastic primitive backcountry site. Tucked among the lodgepole pines and granite boulders, it offers great shelter, peace, and that genuine wilderness seclusion you crave.
- The Summit Push: We spent Friday night acclimating and resting at basecamp. Early Saturday morning, we pushed for the summit of Mount San Jacinto Peak(10,834 feet). After taking in the panoramic views stretching from the Pacific to the Salton Sea, we descended back to Round Valley, packed up camp, and made the return trek to the tram for the ride down.
The October Shoulder Season: Nature Changes in Minutes
We chose to hike late in the season during October, and anyone heading up during shoulder months needs to understand high-elevation weather:
- T****he Forecast Mirage: On the morning of our summit push, the official forecast predicted clear, sunny skies by noon.
- The High-Alpine Reality: Noon rolled around, and the weather did the exact opposite—we were hit with biting snow flurries and temperatures plunging straight into the 20s.
- Within just two hours, a crisp autumn morning morphed into full-blown freezing winter conditions.
A Serious Backcountry Advisory: 50 Years on the Trail Speaks
As someone with over 50 years of hiking and backpacking experience spanning every corner of the American West, what we witnessed on the trail between Round Valley and the peak was alarming.
We encountered dozens of hikers completely unprepared for foul weather:
- The Outfit: People trekking toward a 10,834-foot alpine peak in short shorts, cotton t-shirts, light sneakers, and carrying little more than a tiny hydration bladder with a couple of snack bars. No insulation, no wind protection, no emergency gear.
- Missing Essentials: Not a single one of the Ten Essentials in sight.
- The Dangerous Mindset: Yes, 99% of the time, casual hikers get lucky and escape without incident. But cell service, 911, and volunteer Search& Rescue teams are not your personal safety net—preparedness and basic common sense are.
- The Golden Rule: Any hiker stepping foot into this wilderness must carry the gear to survive an unexpected night out in freezing conditions. An ankle sprain, altitude sickness, or a sudden squall can turn a fun day hike into hypothermia, acute suffering, or worse. Don't be that guy or gal.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Mount San Jacinto Wilderness and Round Valley’s Gooseberry site delivered everything an outdoor enthusiast could want: pristine trails, incredible pine-scented air, and raw wilderness beauty. Just never forget that nature can bite hard if you let your guard down. Pack your layers, bring your essentials, respect the mountain, and you will have an unforgettable journey.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
Hans V.RangerSouth Ridge Yellow Post Sites
The first two spots are close together. First one a bit small but better cover from Santa Anna winds. Nicely in the forest and close to the village.
- jjulie G.Scout
Stoddard Valley OHV Area - North
OHV area in desert
Nice and FREE area , easy to access
Robyn C.TravelerStone Creek Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Nice stay
Had a nice stay here twice so far this year. Nice place. Quiet and clean.
- AAaron S.Traveler
Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8
Dope spot
Very windy and need high clearance vehicles
- AAaron S.Traveler
Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8
Pretty spot very windy
You definitely need high clearance vehicles or you will not make it here
Guide to Big Bear Lake
San Bernardino National Forest surrounds Big Bear Lake at elevations between 6,700 and 9,000 feet, creating diverse tent camping zones with significant temperature variations. Dispersed camping options extend beyond yellow post sites into areas with primitive conditions requiring campers to pack in all supplies. Weather can change rapidly, with summer days reaching 80°F while nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F even in July.
What to do
Mountain biking access: Many tent camping areas near Big Bear Lake provide direct access to extensive bike trail networks. At Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites, campers find "excellent place to camp. And free, no less. Need high clearance or 4wd vehicle for a rough road but once you get to the top, the sites are great!"
Rock climbing exploration: The forest surrounding Big Bear Lake features numerous climbing locations easily accessible from tent sites. Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp serves as a hub for this activity, as "this area is used almost exclusively by rock climbers, but anyone is welcomed. As long as you follow the guidelines for the area, you can set up your tent anywhere you see a spot."
Historical exploration: Tent campers can explore remnants of Big Bear's gold rush history while hiking. Near Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp, you'll discover "the site of gold discovery in the 1800s. If you're into panning for gold you just might find some along Holcomb Creek. There are active claims in the area so be respectful."
What campers like
Complete privacy: Tent campers consistently highlight the solitude available at many sites. At Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites, "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. Many will fit multiple people easily."
Night sky visibility: The high elevation and minimal light pollution create exceptional stargazing conditions. One camper at Thomas Hunting Grounds noted it was "beautiful, private, and secluded. The campgrounds were wonderful- fair warning only a few campsites have a fire pit. A fire pit is a must in the winter - chilled winds, come prepared."
Forest immersion: Dense pine forest surroundings provide a complete wilderness experience at tent sites. At Tanglewood Group Campground, "campground is nestled in pine woods where you have to drive quite far in through dirt road to get there. Pretty secluded, but accommodate our large group. Spacious for several cars."
What you should know
Access requirements: Many primitive tent camping areas require specific vehicles. At Thomas Hunting Grounds, "make sure you have a vehicle that is 4WD - getting up the mountain is long and rugged."
Wildlife encounters: Tent campers should prepare for wildlife interactions. At Mill Creek Dispersed Camping, "there's no larger wildlife, like bears, so less stressful when you have pets or kids. Plenty of space to bring bikes and ride around."
Wind conditions: High-elevation tent sites often experience significant wind. At Limber Pine Bench Campground, "expect very high winds at night. Setup your camp behind established rock walls and trees and you'll be okay."
Water availability: Nearly all tent sites require bringing your own water. One camper noted, "these sites are basic and no campfires are allowed. You will obviously have no amenities and need to pack in food and water and pack out all trash."
Tips for camping with families
Choose more developed sites: Families often prefer tent sites with basic amenities. At Yucaipa Regional Park, you'll find "great tent camping facilities, privacy from neighbors, access to Zanja Peak Trail head, 3 lakes for fishing, water park during the summer, and friendly helpful staff."
Plan for temperature swings: Prepare children for significant day-to-night temperature changes. One camper experienced extreme cold: "We camped here on our way to summiting San G (as we lovingly call it). Although it was May and the weather was beautiful at sea level, it was cold up here!"
Bring entertainment options: The open spaces at many tent sites provide room for activities. At Yucaipa Regional Park, "there's a lot to do here, including fishing, playgrounds, and even a waterpark in the summer. The bathrooms are decent, no showers."
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Many tent camping areas near Big Bear Lake have challenging access roads. At Mill Creek Dispersed Camping, "the road to the site is gravel, with lots of potholes and washboard areas, which would make it difficult for an RV. But the biggest issue for RVs is an area of the road that is very steep."
Site selection strategy: RVers should carefully research which tent camping areas can accommodate their vehicles. At Big Pine Flat Campground, the campground "is suited more for tenting or overland types" with limited space for larger rigs.
Noise considerations: Some dispersed camping areas experience varied noise levels. At Big Pine Flat, "there is also a OHV staging area directly across from the campsites. The occasional dirt bike is fine right?"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Big Bear Lake, CA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Big Bear Lake, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Big Bear Lake, CA is Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites with a 4.7-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Big Bear Lake, CA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Big Bear Lake, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 56 tent camping locations near Big Bear Lake, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring