349 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The San Bernardino Mountains surrounding Cedar Glen, California, provide a range of camping options at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet. Established campgrounds like Dogwood, Serrano, and North Shore offer designated tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities. Many campgrounds in this region maintain seasonal operations, with sites like Hanna Flat and Pineknot typically open from May through October, while others like Mesa Campground at Silverwood Lake operate year-round.
Road access to camping areas varies significantly based on location and season. Many campgrounds require advance reservations through recreation.gov, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. The region experiences cool mountain temperatures even in summer months, with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. According to one visitor, "Expect a bit of noise, but manageable. Quiet hours are the usual 10-7 but we unfortunately were situated next to a group that violated both times." Primitive camping options like the Keller Peak and Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites offer more secluded experiences but lack amenities like drinking water and toilets. Cell service can be spotty throughout the area, particularly at more remote sites.
The proximity to mountain lakes represents a significant draw for campers throughout the region. Serrano Campground provides access to Big Bear Lake, while the Mesa Campground connects to Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. A camper noted, "Super nice staff! They remembered us after only staying here twice which means they take pride in the care for their customers. We love that we can tent camp by the water!" Many campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets, though availability of showers varies considerably. Family-friendly amenities can be found at Skypark Camp RV Resort, which receives high ratings for its cleanliness and maintenance. Proximity to towns like Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear provides convenient access to supplies, while still offering the mountain forest camping experience that draws visitors to the San Bernardino National Forest.
"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"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"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"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."
"Lots of great trails and off trail hiking for all levels of experience plus climbing locations for the rockers out there."
"Though this campground doesn’t have spectacular views, it is located in the historic Holcomb Valley and surrounded by tons of hiking and offroad trails to explore. Tall trees with plenty of shade!"
from $27 / night
Check Availability
TravelerCamped with two people and had tons of space in our site. The car parking is a slightly away from the site, which we liked but maybe not other peoples’ preference
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 .
Primitive camping options flourish in the San Bernardino Mountains near Cedar Glen, California. Most campgrounds sit between 5,000-7,000 feet elevation and have pine forest cover that creates cool, shaded sites. Winter conditions limit access to many campgrounds from November through April, with snow often closing roads and freezing water sources.
Hiking from camp: At Pineknot Campground, campers can walk directly to Snow Summit for mountain hiking. "We walked over and took the ski lift up to the top and hiked around the loop. BEAUTIFUL!" notes Rose B. The camp's proximity to trails makes it convenient for quick outdoor access without driving.
Mountain biking options: Trails near Skypark Camp RV Resort connect directly to mountain biking terrain. "Great park. Skypark is right across the street for mountain bikes," explains Bryan S. The campground provides a central base for riders wanting immediate trail access.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds report regular deer sightings. "We saw rattlesnakes on our walk. Deer walking around the trails," reports Stephanie M. about camping at Thomas Hunting Grounds. Morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Privacy between sites: Hanna Flat Campground earns praise for its site spacing. "Campground feels very secluded and the sites are far apart," says Spencer U. This spacing provides campers with a greater sense of solitude compared to more crowded campgrounds.
Clean facilities: The maintenance level at Dogwood Campground consistently impresses visitors. "Gorgeous. Beautiful, large, private campsites. Bathrooms were clean," reports Paige K. The campground's well-maintained facilities make primitive camping more comfortable.
Water proximity: North Shore Campground offers waterfront camping with easy access. "We love that we can tent camp by the water!" shares Sandi B. The lake provides recreation options directly from campsite areas without requiring additional driving.
Winter restrictions: Most campgrounds close seasonally. "We camped here the last weekend before they closed for the winter, after Thanksgiving. Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning," Nicole W. notes about Serrano Campground. Cold temperatures impact water systems even in open campgrounds.
Fire regulations vary: At Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites, fire rules change seasonally. "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," warns David V. Check current fire restrictions before arrival.
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds require careful driving. "About 0.25 miles on dirt road located just passed Lake Hemet on 6S13," Shannon C. explains about Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites. Some remote camping areas require high-clearance vehicles.
Kid-friendly activities: Yucaipa Regional Park offers additional recreation for children. "There's a lot to do here, including fishing, playgrounds, and even a waterpark in the summer," says Mary F. The developed facilities provide entertainment options beyond camping.
Biking opportunities: Serrano Campground provides safe riding areas for children. "Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake. The town is bike friendly," Trey T. explains. These paths allow families to enjoy cycling without traffic concerns.
Weather preparation: Mountain temperatures fluctuate dramatically, even in summer. "Weather is perfect in August," notes Trey T. about Serrano. However, campers at Hanna Flat report, "It was May but got cold enough at night but was absolutely perfect during the day."
Site sizing varies: Campgrounds accommodate different RV lengths. "Very large space with plenty of shade," reports Sam H. about Keller Peak sites. Meanwhile, at Skypark, Bryan S. notes, "Spots are a little tight if you have a bigger unit."
Water and power options: Mesa Campground at Silverwood Lake offers full hookup sites. "We stayed in campsite 108 (which had full hookups) and did not feel that the campsites were too close to one another," says Bower. However, hookup availability varies widely between campgrounds.
Bathroom facilities: Many primitive campgrounds lack shower facilities. "Depending on your site you can hear traffic go by occasionally, but otherwise a fantastic campground. Facilities were well kept and clean," explains Jeremiah F. about Dogwood Campground. Some sites recommend nearby alternatives for showers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cedar Glen, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cedar Glen, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 349 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedar Glen, CA and 30 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cedar Glen, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cedar Glen, CA is Dogwood with a 4.7-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cedar Glen, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 free dispersed camping spots near Cedar Glen, CA.
What parks are near Cedar Glen, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Cedar Glen, CA that allow camping, notably Mojave River Dam and San Bernardino National Forest.
Keep Exploring
