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Tent Camping near Cedar Glen, CA
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Tent campsites in the San Bernardino Mountains near Cedar Glen, California range from free primitive sites to developed spots with fire rings and picnic tables. Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites provide tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables along a 5-mile paved road, while Mill Creek Dispersed Camping offers free primitive tent sites with minimal amenities. Most tent campsites sit between 5,000-7,000 feet elevation in mixed pine and oak forests, with cool nights, dark skies, and direct access to trails connecting to the Children's Forest and surrounding peaks.
Many tent campgrounds require campers to pack in their own water and pack out all trash, as services are extremely limited. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry summer months when wildfire danger is high. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds like Big Pine Flat, but dispersed tent camping areas have no facilities. Access roads to Yellow Post sites can be rough but are generally navigable in passenger vehicles, though some remote tent camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles. A recent review noted, "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."
Sites are typically well-spaced, providing privacy even during busier periods. According to reviews on The Dyrt, "These sites are beautiful - especially #9! It pokes out over the mountains and has the most unbelievable view!" Summer thunderstorms are common in afternoon hours, so tent campers should ensure proper rainfly setup and site drainage. Wildlife encounters are frequent, requiring proper food storage in bear-resistant containers or vehicle trunks for overnight tent campers. With 57 tent campsites catalogued near Cedar Glen, campers can compare options by elevation, amenities, and access road difficulty before heading out.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Cedar Glen (63)
1. 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."
2. 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."
3. Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
"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."
4. Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground
"Easy access to the hot springs and no services to speak of. Basically a patch of dirt you can occupy for $10 a night. Loved it."
"Super fun place to visit with the hot springs trail. Went in January with snowfall, hardly any campers and nature all around! Two nights are perfect."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $119 / night
5. 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."
6. Fishermans Group Campground
"I was backpacking along the Pacific Crest Trail & decided to hike down the Crab Flats Trail to checkout Tent Peg & Fisherman's Campground."
"Be sure to call visitor center for driving directions (or follow the ones on USDA National Forest website) as Google will take you to the wrong spot. Good hike for first-time backpackers."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $10 / night
7. 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."
8. Yellow Post Number 9
"It’s up around 7500ft approximately four miles from Running Springs. I spent three days here and absolutely loved this spot."
9. 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."
10. Keller Peak Rd Yellow post #5
"Post 6 and 5 and next to each other but have high ground low which gave privacy. Nice flat ground to post tent."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 39 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 13 min from San Diego, CA
- 2 hrs 21 min from Oxnard, CA
- 2 hrs 49 min from Bakersfield, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cedar Glen, CA
56 Photos of 63 Cedar Glen Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites
Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground
Big Pine Flat Campground
Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites
Yucaipa Regional ParkA
Limber Pine Bench Campground
Holcomb Valley Climbers Camps
Halfway Camp
Dry Lake Backpacking Campground
Yellow Post #54
Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8
Tent Camping Reviews near Cedar Glen, CA
1490 Reviews of 63 Cedar Glen Campgrounds
- T
Tanya T.ScoutMountain 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.
- SSonali U.
TravelerCaravan Mobile Home Park
If it’s there, I missed it.
I 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.
- 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.
- PPaula A.Scout
O'Neill Regional Park
Nice campground family friendly
I found the campground to be very friendly kid friendly and pet friendly. The spots were spacious and some had privacy others were out in the open. The rangers were very friendly and helpful, they helped me set up my tent when they saw I was having trouble. There are trails to explore. A great last minute getaway from the city and not to far, the bathroom was clean and modern with hot showers and toilets.
- AAaron S.Traveler
Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8
Dope spot
Very windy and need high clearance vehicles
Guide to Cedar Glen
Tent camping areas near Cedar Glen, California range in elevation from 5,000 to over 9,000 feet, with camping conditions varying dramatically by season. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer daytime highs typically reach 75-85°F. Forest Service roads accessing many dispersed camping locations close seasonally from late November through April due to snow accumulation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Yucaipa Regional Park, three separate lakes provide ample fishing spots. "Excellent campground. Well maintained. Large concrete pads that can handle any rig. So much to do all around a park. Does get very cold, was in the teens overnight when I was there in Feb," notes Paul C.
Mountain biking trails: Numerous trail networks connect camping areas with riding routes suitable for various skill levels. At Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp, campers appreciate the nearby technical trails. "Because the National forest allows dispersed camping, as long as your off the roads and trails, the camping spots are unlimited... the trails in the area are dog-friendly," according to Les R.
Historic site exploration: The Holcomb Valley area contains remnants of gold rush history from 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," advises Edward W.
What campers like
Isolation options: The Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites offer exceptional privacy. "I almost want to give this a 1 star review, just to keep it to myself a little longer. We loved this yellow post site, by far one of my favorites. Private but with cell service, tables and fire pits! Listen to great horned owls while taking in the views," reports Chelsea R.
Accessibility: Many areas permit camping without reservations. At Mill Creek Dispersed Camping, "There are lots of sites on this road. The closer you are to the road the more dust will get in your site from the vehicles passing. There are over a dozen sites along the main road. If you can pull in, it's a site."
Winter camping experiences: For those seeking tent camping near Cedar Glen during colder months, some sites remain accessible. "We went in April, and still had a little bit of snow. All the trail roads are mostly for 4 x 4 vehicles that really enjoy just going at it throughout the day. A lot of fun to witness that," notes Seth B.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed camping areas require appropriate vehicles. At 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. There are shooting ranges, OHV trails, Jeep trails, hiking, you name it. Popular campground and is suited more for tenting or overland types."
Noise considerations: Some camping areas experience more activity than others. "There was a group of 20+ people partying and playing corridos so loud I couldn't fall asleep. They had a side by side with large speakers facing the campsite," reports Elijah C. about Big Pine Flat.
Seasonal water access: Water availability varies significantly by season and location. At Limber Pine Bench Campground, "There's a fresh spring just a 1/4 mile up the trail. It's not too far, and the hill isn't too steep, but it is a 9000ft elevation, so it's a bit of work."
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities: For the best tent camping near Cedar Glen with children, consider water-adjacent sites. "Yucaipa Regional Park campground is an awesome place for a fun getaway. 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, we found it really cool," shares Aleena S.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many tent sites offer animal watching possibilities. "We've been here several times over the last few years and really enjoy a nice quiet place close to home. There's no larger wildlife, like bears, so less stressful when you have pets or kids," notes Mary F. about regional parks in the area.
Safety planning: At Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area, "The camp hosts are very attentive and even drove by making sure we had enough firewood! Nearby there is Green Valley lake, just a couple miles up the road, you do have to drive there. The town is very small and cute."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Most tent camping areas near Cedar Glen require careful consideration for RVs. "My husband and I were looking for good boondocking spots yesterday and we decided to check out this spot. It's definitely a beautiful place, and most of the road to the site is paved, but the road up to the actual spot is gravel, with lots of potholes and washboard areas, which would make it difficult for an RV," cautions Francisco F.
Power planning: Without hookups at most sites, RVers need alternative power sources. "This is such a great campsite. Setup your camp behind established rock walls and trees and you'll be okay. Expect very high winds at night," advises Daniel J. about Limber Pine.
Temperature variations: Elevation differences create significant temperature shifts. "Does get very cold, was in the teens overnight when I was there in Feb. Fires allowed which is nice," reports Paul C., highlighting the importance of adequate heating systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Cedar Glen, CA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cedar Glen, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cedar Glen, CA is Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Cedar Glen, CA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cedar Glen, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 63 tent camping locations near Cedar Glen, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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