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.
$40 - $81 / night
"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."
$45 - $350 / night
"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!""
"ATV with ice cream and firewood comes around right before dark. Campsites are a bit crowded for my liking. Access to the Silverwood Lake recreation area is a great benefit."
$29 - $58 / 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."
$50 - $100 / 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!"
$35 - $45 / 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"
$15 - $20 / night
"I had a positive impression of this small campground, located just 5-7 miles away from the 215 highway, amidst natural surroundings."
"The fresh stream is just a short distance away, just a few steps away and you can immerse yourself in nature right across the road."
$33 - $67 / 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."
$3 - $40 / 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."
$44 - $91 / 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."
"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."
TravelerPlenty of space you don’t need to be near people. The mountain. The night sky. Everything was superb. The only sad thing was to see some trash here and there. So if you come here please make sure you pick up after yourself; try to leave places better than you found them.
ScoutThisThis RV Park is downright dangerous to camp at and is an absolute trash dump. The electrical supplies are not safe to plug into they have reverse polarity and if you plug into them it's going to blow all your appliances your air conditioner and all your Outlets. We sustained thousands of dollars worth of damage to our RV before an electrician told us what the problem was reverse polarity is when the wiring is incorrect and it can cause dangerous surges that can destroy your unit. There are stray animals running around the park everywhere there are old broken down RVs old broken down cars it's full of drug addicts the shower facilities are disgusting this place is nothing like the website you cannot afford to stay here for even one night.
ScoutSome nights very windy, but it’s extremely beautiful out here. It’s a great time.
GuideBeautiful, quiet site with plenty of space but it is VERY windy with trash flying everywhere. It also seems to function as an illegal dumping site for couches, appliances …
Practice shooters at night and early am nearby are also not the most reassuring and the main reason for our decision to skip staying over the weekend.
GuideThis is a big area right off the 15 with plenty of space to have a good time. We pulled in at night and passed a few other people camping, but there are so many little roads/trails around we had no problem finding a spot. We woke up on a Saturday morning to people shooting around 7am. It seems like the classic dispersed spot with scattered trash and broken glass from shooting practice, but with the spring flowers it was very beautiful and really quiet at night :) it worked great for what we needed, a spot to break up our long drive.
ScoutI went there with my daughter her husband and our dogs.We camped for the weekend and had a great time !!
TravelerThis was my first time camping at this site. The front office is very polite and the site is very clean with a lot to do. Everything is within a good radius.
There is a lot of animal activity you will hear theoack of coyotes and right before sunset. The Owls come out and boy are they large. Me and my son had a great time and would definitely come.back to this place. They have a fire pit with a cooking grill attached to it. But you can bring your own.
ScoutFun place there is a lot of airport noise during the day from the small private planes. Great place to bring bikes, fishing, and games to keep you and your crew busy for a few days.
GuideCampground has Tent, rv spots and cabins.. this is for active duty military as well as veterans. Nice playground for the kids. Nice showers and a rec room with tv kitchen and board games
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 320 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedarpines Park, CA and 26 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 26 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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