8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Dogwood Campground's spacious sites accommodate pets among towering pines in the Angeles National Forest near Blue Jay. Each pet-friendly site includes a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table, with most sites well-separated by dense forest providing privacy between campers with animals. The campground maintains clean, flush toilet facilities and free hot showers that make extended stays with pets comfortable. Pets must remain leashed throughout the campground, with several campsites offering enough room for pet enclosures. Sites are well maintained with paved roads throughout, making walks with dogs convenient regardless of weather conditions. Many sites back up to wilderness areas, providing direct access to forest exploration with pets. The entire campground area is kept spotlessly clean, important for pet owners concerned about trash or harmful items their animals might encounter.
Several hiking trails accessible directly from Dogwood Campground accommodate leashed dogs, including the Enchanted Loop nature trail that provides excellent views without requiring travel outside the campground boundaries. The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest offers additional pet-friendly trail options within short driving distance. Sites provide ample shade from tall pine trees, keeping pets comfortable during warm summer days. Most campsites have enough space for multiple tents while still allowing room for pet areas. Nearby Lake Arrowhead and Lake Gregory provide additional recreation options within 10-15 minutes of the campground, though pet policies at water recreation areas should be verified before visiting. The campground's location near Highway 18 allows for quick access to veterinary services in Lake Arrowhead should emergency care be needed. Despite the convenient location, traffic noise remains minimal inside the campground and doesn't typically disturb pets sensitive to sound.
"Each trail I used offered lovely views. This campground is huge, yet felt homey. My cat watched the squirrels play on nearby trees from the RV."
"Stayed a couple years in a row with me family. ( and dog) site large enough for two large family tents. Picnic table and fire ring."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $40 - $81 / night
"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!""
Available this weekend
from $45 - $350 / night
"I felt like it was the prefect spot given the leveled ground and the fact that we had a kid and dog posse. But let me tell you about the ranger named Shawn."
"There is a lovely hiking trail at the far end of the site. There is water, flush toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables. It is a short walk to Lake Arrowhead. This is a dog friendly site."
from $29 - $58 / night
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $33 - $67 / night
"Big Bear Lake near by, lake level appears to be receding. Bears and coyotes in the area, recommended not to let small dogs or cats roam unattended."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $44 - $91 / night
"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
"The green spaces are full of stickers and mostly unusable for things like walking dogs, kids playing. I was charged junk fees. $7 to make the reservation myself online and then $1 per pet, per night."
"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."
"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."
TravelerWe liked it a lot. It was our first time there and newbie camper so I didn’t pick the best spot, but it’s a great location, close to the river… I had my dog so we walked the campground quite a bit and it’s good size and I saw a lot of other sites that I would have preferred. The bathroom wasn’t terrible, typical I’d say. The woman working the front was very helpful and nice. Little store close too.
TravelerYou’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.
RangerBig RV resort. Stayed in Area F site 132 as part of RV tour group. All back-in sites. Septic dump opening was located on the side of light pole - had to workaround in order to dump. Public showers/restrooms are not convenient and are old and open concrete.
ScoutJust what I was looking for
ScoutSite 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.
RangerReviewed 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 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:
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 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!
ScoutExceptional camping experience. Beautiful, secluded, but not far from town. Would recommend a vehicle you feel comfortable with off roading terrain.
RangerThe 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.
TravelerI went there to see, before making a reservation. I found the trailer park—maybe 100 old mobile homes—but I never found an RV park. I didn’t see anything to see. The “pool” was empty. The office was locked, and it wasn’t lunch. Just kinda not happening. I left a message to call me with the answering service, but I never got a call back.
Dispersed camping options near Blue Jay, California offer alternatives to established campgrounds in the San Bernardino National Forest. Situated at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet, the area experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs reaching 85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Many camping areas require Adventure Passes for vehicles parked in designated recreation areas, available at ranger stations throughout the forest.
Hiking with dogs: Multiple trails beyond Enchanted Loop welcome leashed pets. North Shore Campground connects to mountain paths with lake views. "Lake Arrowhead Village is 4 miles away," notes Andrew B., making it convenient to combine hiking with town visits.
Mountain biking: The forest roads offer varied terrain for cyclists of all levels. Skypark Camp RV Resort sits directly across from dedicated mountain biking trails. Steven F. confirms it's "directly across from Santa's Village and the bike park," making it ideal for families who enjoy cycling.
Water activities: Lakes provide summer recreation opportunities beyond fishing. Lake Gregory is approximately 15 minutes from most Blue Jay campsites and offers swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. Ken K. at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area notes "access to the Silverwood Lake recreation area is a great benefit. Small market is on site at the recreation area."
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between camping spots. At Hanna Flat Campground, "campsites are pretty spaced out and have a bit of privacy," according to Morgan F., while Stephanie M. found their site "tucked up into the hill side with neighbors far enough away to make it very private."
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers can find no-cost sites with basic amenities. Chelsea R. discovered that Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites offer surprisingly good amenities: "Private but with cell service, tables and fire pits! Listen to great horned owls while taking in the views!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain their bathrooms and common areas well. Viktoria B. found that Dogwood Campground offers a "very well maintained, clean with drinking water, showers, flush toilets. And 1-2 trailheads leading out of the site." The combination of wilderness setting with maintained facilities appeals to many campers.
Road conditions: Many camping areas require navigating unpaved roads. George M. notes that Hanna Flat is "north of Fawnskin off of 3n14 which is an unpaved road," while Sandra L. cautions about the route to Thomas Hunting Grounds: "The drive was extremely easy with a couple of rocky areas that made me slow down to 5mph and under to not damage the bottom of my H Fit."
Fire restrictions: Regulations vary by location and season, and rangers strictly enforce rules. David V. warns about Keller Peak Yellow Post Sites: "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."
Weather variability: Mountain elevations mean significant temperature drops at night, even in summer. Jillian experienced "snow overnight in mid May" at Keller Peak, highlighting the need for proper cold-weather gear regardless of season.
Beginner-friendly sites: Families new to camping should consider established campgrounds with amenities. Troy L. recommends Dogwood: "The campground has flush toilets, showers and paved roads. So it's great for first time campers or glampers."
Recreation facilities: Yucaipa Regional Park offers multiple activities for children beyond typical camping. Bryan H. notes it features "3 lakes for fishing, water park during the summer," while another reviewer mentions "a fun place for the whole family" with "playgrounds, and even a waterpark in the summer."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids enjoy spotting native animals in their natural habitat. Karl A. reports "deer walking around the trails" at Hanna Flat Campground, creating educational opportunities for children to learn about local wildlife.
Site selection: RVers should research specific site dimensions before booking. Martha S. advises Serrano campers: "Nice 'big' spots so you don't feel like you're on top of one another," but notes bathroom proximity can be an issue for pop-up campers without facilities.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited but available at select locations. Shuree F. at Dogwood Campground explains: "I used an electric site which is integrated with tent and nonelectric sites," noting her "19 foot RV van which backed up easily into our campsite, and had plenty of room to spare."
Off-season considerations: Some campgrounds with RV facilities remain open year-round. Nicole W. cautions about winter camping at Serrano: "Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains," highlighting the need for cold-weather preparations when camping outside summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Blue Jay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Blue Jay, CA is Dogwood with a 4.7-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Blue Jay, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 237 dog-friendly camping locations near Blue Jay, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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