9 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Campers exploring the San Bernardino Mountains can find several established campgrounds in the Cedarpines Park area of California. The region includes developed camping at Dogwood Campground, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area's Mesa Campground, and nearby Hanna Flat Campground, offering a mix of tent and RV sites with varying amenities. Most established sites have fire pits, picnic tables, and access to toilets, while some like Skypark Camp RV Resort and Bonita Ranch Campground provide electrical hookups, sewer connections, and shower facilities. Cabins and glamping options are available at select locations including North Shore Campground at Lake Almanor and Mojave River Forks Regional Park.
Camping availability varies significantly by season, with some campgrounds like Hanna Flat only operating from May through October, while others remain open year-round. The mountainous terrain affects access, especially during winter months when snow may close roads at higher elevations. "Clean air, serenading sounds of birds and winds blowing through the green brush and tall beautiful trees. Silverwood Lake was just that. Lush green mountains in the back drop that surrounded every view," noted one visitor about the natural setting. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Campers should prepare for temperature fluctuations common in mountain environments, with cool evenings even during summer months. Water availability varies between campgrounds, with some offering full hookups while others provide only basic facilities.
The lake access at Silverwood Lake draws many campers to the area, though reviews indicate mixed experiences. According to one visitor, "Each campsite here is pretty private and has a lot of shade. Close to the lake but we had to walk down a bit to go swimming." Several campers mention the spaciousness of sites at Mesa Campground, though some report that weekend crowds and noise can detract from the experience. Wildlife sightings, including bears, have been reported in the area. Campers seeking quieter experiences may prefer visiting midweek or during shoulder seasons. The varied terrain provides opportunities for hiking, fishing, and water recreation, though some campgrounds are situated at a distance from lake access points, requiring a short drive rather than a walk to reach water activities.
"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."
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
"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
"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
"Easy access to a pretty trail right behind the campground. Very quiet and interspersed with long time stayers and temporary campers. I stayed in my van and had my cat and dog with me."
"It's definitely not that far away from the city roughly a 7-10 minute drive up the mountain very chill environment awesome staff very home like feel you're literally a box throw away from the creek if"
from $35 - $45 / 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
"Nice place to camp, weather is around 75 during the day and about 50 to 36 degrees cold through out the night. Has everything you'll need. Bathrooms are close by, showers HOT water available."
"The Pacific Crest Trail passes nearby. It is away from the populated cities, but not far from them. It still gives you a sense of seclusion."
from $3 - $40 / night
"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."
Available this weekend
from $44 - $91 / night
"they have several different kinds of cabins Little ones and then really big ones just suit your family size they have full hookups you can also purchase cable TV if you wish you can park right on the lake"
from $150 - $375 / night
"In the busy season, you’d be no more than 12-16 feet away from your neighbors. However, my dog and I had a lovely stay. Neighbors were very few, quiet, and the restrooms were more than adequate."
"Also someone is always here cleaning, you will see her around with her dog. She is such a nice lady. The photos below are from the creek."
from $15 - $20 / night
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.
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.
TravelerWell maintained, nice folks, pleasant to talk with. I stayed there 2 months, and enjoyed it.
Camping sites near Cedarpines Park, California range from basic to full-service campgrounds scattered throughout the San Bernardino Mountains. The region sits between 5,000-7,000 feet elevation, creating distinct temperature variations with summer daytime highs averaging 75-85°F while dropping 20-30 degrees at night. Winter camping is limited as many campgrounds close seasonally due to snow conditions, with only select locations maintaining year-round operations.
Mountain biking trails: Access prime trails from Skypark Camp RV Resort where campers can easily reach the bike park across the street. "Skypark is right across the street for mountain bikes. Lake Arrowhead is close for supplies or food," notes one visitor who appreciates the convenient trail access.
Creek exploration: Walk to nearby water access at Bonita Ranch Campground which sits alongside Lytle Creek. "The creek running behind the camp is great to explore, and a waterfall is a short hike away. We also lucked out finding berries in August," shares one camper who enjoyed the natural features.
Nature trails: Discover the Enchanted Loop nature trail directly from Dogwood Campground. "Access to the Enchanted loop nature trail is at the back end of the camp and offers some great views," explains a camper who valued the convenient trail connection from their site.
Private camping spaces: Campers appreciate the spacing between sites at several campgrounds. "Each campsite here is pretty private and has a lot of shade. The sites are well placed making a full campground feel spacious," notes a reviewer about Dogwood Campground, highlighting the privacy that remains even during busy periods.
Clean facilities: Hanna Flat Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance. "The campground has the atmosphere of camping in the forest with a couple of hiking trails and lots of shade. Clean restrooms," reports one visitor, with another mentioning "Facilities were well kept and clean."
Bear boxes: Several campgrounds provide secure food storage. "Each campsite has a bear box to store food. The restrooms are clean with flush toilets, along with soap and water sinks," explains one camper, noting the practical safety feature that helps reduce wildlife encounters.
Reservation planning: Book early for popular times. "We happened to find a great spot here on Labor Day weekend. Total luck shot," mentions a camper at Hanna Flat, underscoring how unlikely securing last-minute holiday spots can be.
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Green Valley Lake Recreation Area has a short season, and one visitor notes: "The camp hosts are very attentive and even drove by making sure we had enough firewood!" showing the attention during operating months.
Varying site quality: Campgrounds often have significant site differences. "Our site was a single so it only fit one car. There is extra parking available for additional cars that we could have used, but if we had a trailer we wouldn't have fit. So make sure you get a site that fits your needs!" advises one experienced camper.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated recreation. "We had a great time here. Kiddos had a great time riding their bikes around the sites. Also, great trails nearby!" shares a parent who camped at Hanna Flat Campground with children.
Safety considerations: Select campgrounds with appropriate features for children. "SkyPark Resort is great for families with small kids," reports one reviewer, while another mentions "Fire pits and games for the kids."
Access to water recreation: Mojave River Forks Regional Park offers water activities nearby. "My Church choir stayed here for a retreat. We had a blast with view of the lake, just walking distance from our camp. Lots of trees and paved roads for bikes. Facilities were great too," writes one visitor about the family-friendly setup.
Hookup options: Find full-service sites for extended stays. "I love this campground because they have a lot of amenities that don't seem to change the scenery. They have electric and water hook up for RVs in a few sites that are reservable," explains one RVer about their Dogwood Campground experience.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The route on our GPS sent us to a couple different locations before we reached our destination... but in the end, was worth every unknown turn up the mountain," reports a camper about navigating to Green Valley Lake campground.
Site positioning: Select sites based on specific needs. "We chose the loop closest to the lake, just about a minute walk for a nice view. Very shady," recommends a camper, highlighting the importance of choosing sites with appropriate features for your camping style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cedarpines Park, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cedarpines Park, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 328 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedarpines Park, CA and 28 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cedarpines Park, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cedarpines Park, CA is Dogwood with a 4.7-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cedarpines Park, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 free dispersed camping spots near Cedarpines Park, CA.
What parks are near Cedarpines Park, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Cedarpines Park, CA that allow camping, notably Mojave River Dam and San Bernardino National Forest.
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