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."
TravelerIt was a good site. Post 6 and 5 and next to each other but have high ground low which gave privacy. Nice flat ground to post tent. Had a table and grill but unfortunately when we came there was a fire restriction but was able to use gas stove. Just going to add that there was a lot of trash left over please pick up after yourself. Ask for dumping stations. Was able to clean and dispose of it safely. (EW)
ScoutFirst time and I love it, this place is beautiful, you camp and you get to go to the lake. Best camp site 10,11,26,27
GuideThis RV park is quite lovely! I called to make my reservation with Dawn, because the campground map didn’t show facility locations for the washroom, pool, office/store or shade. My site (B-17) had electric and water only with a huge oak tree providing lots of shade. The gravel RV spots are nearly level, picnic tables and fire pits. This is a well maintained park with a laundry, small “zoo”, fishing pond and a sparkling swimming pool. I highly recommend this RV park, and I will plan to stay here again.
GuideGreat spot to camp
TravelerWell-kept campground with minimal amenities, but the breathtaking views more than make up for it. Very quiet, less than half the sites were occupied during our stay. Only real drawback was it was quite breezy, but it was perfectly manageable with proper planning.
The nearby lodge was a neat addition, and there’s a very cool disc golf course next door.
Site 49 was flat and spacious, with a spectacular view of the sunset.
ScoutPeaceful,beautiful place to stay. Got to camp @1130 pm. I had no trouble finding a spot. No fires.
GuideNice KOA for an overnight stop. The campground is clean, quiet, and well maintained, and the dog park was excellent—our dogs really enjoyed stretching their legs after a long drive. The only issue was the pull-through full-hookup site. The sewer connection was on the wrong (driver's) side and located near the front of the truck, so our standard sewer hose wouldn't reach. We needed about a 30-foot sewer hose to make the connection. Overall, we'd definitely stay here again. Just be prepared if you plan to use the sewer hookup in a pull-through site.
ScoutIf you're looking for peace, wide-open desert views, and amazing sunrises and sunsets, Sawtooth Canyon is a great place to camp. The campsites are spread out enough to enjoy some privacy, and the night sky is incredible for stargazing. It's a perfect spot to relax, explore the surrounding desert, and disconnect from the busy city. Be sure to bring plenty of water, as there are limited services nearby, but that's part of what makes this place feel so remote and peaceful. I'd definitely visit again.
TravelerBeautiful, well maintenance, great experience. So clean.
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.
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