340 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Blue Jay, CA ranges from developed campgrounds with electric hookups and water access to primitive yellow post sites across the San Bernardino Mountains. Dogwood Campground stands as one of the most popular camping destinations in the region, featuring spacious sites beneath tall pine trees with amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and bear boxes. Other options include Serrano Campground, North Shore Campground, and several yellow post sites throughout the surrounding national forest. Most developed campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering electric hookups and water access, while more remote sites provide primitive camping experiences.
The San Bernardino National Forest camping season typically runs May through October, though some campgrounds remain open year-round with seasonal service reductions. Elevations range from 5,000 to 7,000 feet, resulting in cooler temperatures even during summer months. As one visitor noted, "The campground is gorgeously green and lush with plenty of clean restrooms throughout the campground as well as showers." Winter conditions can limit access, with snow making many forest roads impassable. Most developed campgrounds require reservations through recreation.gov, while yellow post sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near Lake Arrowhead and diminishing signal in more remote areas.
Campers consistently rate the dense forest setting as the primary appeal of camping near Blue Jay. The pine and oak tree canopy provides substantial shade for most sites, creating a sense of privacy even in busier campgrounds. A review from The Dyrt described Dogwood as having "sites that are well placed making a full campground feel spacious." Trail access represents another highlight, with several hiking paths connecting directly to campgrounds. Proximity to Lake Arrowhead and Lake Gregory offers water recreation opportunities within short driving distance. Visitors should note that weekend camping draws larger crowds, particularly during summer months when temperatures at lower elevations drive visitors to these cooler mountain destinations. Fire restrictions often apply during dry periods, typically from late summer through fall.
"The trees are massive and plenty and make you feel like you are a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of California."
"The campground overall is really pretty and in a great location in Lake Arrowhead. However, we made the mistake of booking site 005, which is right on a ridge... it was SO windy."
from $40 - $81 / night
Check Availability"Silverwood Lake Campground offers a range of site experiences depending on where you stay."
"Silverwood Lake was just that. Lush green mountains in the back drop that surrounded every view you turned to take in. "You need to recharge your batteries!""
from $45 - $350 / night
Check Availability"Spaces are pretty close together and small, but we got lucky and didn’t have anyone around us (likely due to bad air quality). If you kayak this is a great place to camp, it’s right next to the lake."
"Lake arrowhead isn't a public lake so it's a bit of a drive to do any water activities, but there was a close offroad trail."
from $29 - $58 / 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"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"Lake Arrowhead is close for supplies or food. "
"Views are worth it and this is so conveniently located next to Santa's Village. Will definitely be coming back again sooner than later!"
from $39 - $299 / night
Check Availability"Tons of hiking trails and within 30 min drive of major shopping/grocery stores. Big Bear is about an hour away with and awesome drive up the mountain."
"Close to the city but far enough away from the lights. There is a ton of stuff to do here. Fishing, kayaking, hiking, water slides, disc golf, bike trails. The RV spots are beyond huge!"
"Tons of land to hike, on or off trail. Geocaching sites nearby. The Keller Peak Lookout was amazing."
"Each site is decent size and tucked away into the rocks. Many will fit multiple people easily. They fill up fast may-sept."
"Most of the sites have incredible views looking out over Lake Hemet and of the San Jacinto mountains."
"Fun off-road adventure to get to the site. Minimal sites so not much crowding."
"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!"
"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."
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.
Travelervery pretty sight the mountain air is incredible. the staff is very helpful and friendly. at night the drunks go crazy and the bears steal their food.
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.
GuideNo 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 .
ScoutIt was a nice place and the people were nice. I checked with the staff on day one if their water was potable. They confirmed everything is potable. My dog had explosive diarrhea day 1 and by the time I got home I had fever and diarrhea. It’s been a rough ride ever since. My dog and I did not share food. We only used the tap as a water source. My husband ate all of our food any only drank store bought drinks. No water. He’s fine. Just me and the dog riding it out. Don’t learn my lesson the hard way. Bring your own water and enjoy it.
Camping sites near Blue Jay, California range from primitive yellow post sites to fully developed campgrounds at elevations between 5,000 and 7,500 feet. The San Bernardino Mountains terrain features mixed conifer forest with pine, cedar, and oak trees creating varied camping environments across the region. Winter closures affect most sites from November through April, with snow possible at higher elevations even in early May.
Hiking directly from camp: At Hanna Flat Campground, multiple trails connect to the campsites. "There is a small store before you start the trail with wood, ice, drinks and miscellaneous last minute camp essentials," notes Manny D., who also mentioned that "the drive up to the campsite was a bit bumpy, although the trail was a nice view."
Bike riding through campgrounds: Serrano Campground offers extensive paved roads ideal for cycling. "Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake. The town is bike friendly," reports Trey T., who also noted that weather "is perfect in August."
Fishing at nearby lakes: Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area provides multiple fishing spots. "Great camping spot! Close to the lake and you can rent fishing boats and jet ski's and have party's by the water," writes Christina D. The recreation area includes a small market for basic supplies.
Well-spaced campsites: Dogwood Campground receives consistent praise for site layout. "The sites are well placed making a full campground fell spacious. I used an electric site which is integrated with tent and nonelectric sites," notes Shuree F., who appreciated that "each campsite has a bear box to store food."
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight facility maintenance. "Bathroom facilities were immaculate," reports Bower about Silverwood Lake, while at Dogwood, Shuree F. noted "the restrooms are clean with flush toilets, along with soap and water sinks."
Privacy between sites: North Shore Campground offers good site separation. "The sites are well spaced, good tree cover. Very nice patch of land. Quiet. Lake Arrowhead Village is 4 miles away," shares Andrew B. This spacing creates more intimate camping experiences even during busy seasons.
Varied fire restrictions: Fire policies differ across sites and seasons. For Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites, David V. notes that "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." Always check current restrictions before your trip.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly. At Skypark Camp RV Resort, Justin C. mentions they have strong coverage, noting "Verizon had service at the camp," while more remote yellow post sites typically have limited or no reception.
Weekend crowding: Reservations are essential for summer weekends. Troy L. observed at Dogwood that "it is a very large campground, however there are a couple different loops so it is spread over a large area," which helps manage crowding.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated recreation for children. "Skypark is right across the street for mountain bikes," notes Bryan S., while Yucaipa Regional Park features "a fun splash zone" according to Ken B.
Site selection for groups: For family camping, specific sites work better than others. "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," explains Brittany N. about Serrano Campground.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have specific hazards to watch for. "Be careful with the bears!" warns Rosalina P. about Silverwood Lake, where bears occasionally visit campsites. Bear boxes are provided at many developed campgrounds for safe food storage.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. "I used an electric site which is integrated with tent and nonelectric sites," shares Shuree F. about Dogwood Campground, adding "I drive a 19 foot RV van which backed up easily into our campsite, and had plenty of room to spare."
Site access challenges: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. Bryan S. notes about Skypark Camp RV Resort that "spots are a little tight if you have a bigger unit," while another reviewer mentioned "I would skip if I were a big rig, or call and ask for sites that are easy to get into."
Winter considerations: RV camping continues year-round at some sites. Nicole W. shares about Serrano: "We camped here the last weekend before they closed for the winter, after Thanksgiving... Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Blue Jay campgrounds?
At Blue Jay Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED, amenities include fresh water spigots throughout the campground, restroom facilities, and established fire rings at each site. It operates on a pay-to-stay basis where you pay at the entrance gate and select an available site. For hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, the campground offers access to numerous trails for hiking, biking, and trail running. For a different camping experience with more backcountry amenities, Little Jimmy Trail Campground features approximately seven first-come, first-served sites with fire rings and vault toilets.
Where are the Blue Jay campgrounds in San Bernardino?
Blue Jay Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED is located in the San Bernardino National Forest, about two miles off the Ortega Highway (Highway 74). The campground sits in the mountains between Lake Elsinore and San Juan Capistrano, approximately an hour's drive from Newport Beach. For alternative camping in the San Bernardino area, Heart Bar Campground is located about 25 minutes from town and features beautiful mountain views.
Is camping allowed at Blue Jay Lake?
There is no specific Blue Jay Lake in the San Bernardino area where camping is permitted. However, if you're looking for lakeside camping options near Blue Jay, Serrano offers campsites just steps away from the water with friendly staff and beautiful views. For another option with lake access, Bonelli Bluffs provides family-friendly camping with proximity to water, though some visitors note it could benefit from more amenities for children.
Keep Exploring
