Dick T.
Guide
GuideMarion Mountain
Laid-Back campground
This is my go-to campground. I live in the San Diego area. It's designed for your season camper that prefers tranquility over business. It's not recommended during the weekend.
Camping near Cedarpines Park, CA
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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.
Best Campgrounds near Cedarpines Park (325)
1. Dogwood
"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 Availability2. Mesa Campground — Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
"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 Availability3. North Shore Campground - Lake Arrowhead
"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 Availability4. Skypark Camp RV Resort
"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 Availability5. Bonita Ranch Campground
"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
Check Availability6. Hanna Flat Campground
"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 Availability7. Mojave River Forks Regional Park
"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
Check Availability8. Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest
"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
Check Availability9. Serrano
"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 Availability10. 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."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 28 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 3 min from San Diego, CA
- 2 hrs 10 min from Oxnard, CA
- 2 hrs 38 min from Bakersfield, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Cedarpines Park, CA
563 Photos of 325 Cedarpines Park Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Mesa Campground — Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
Dogwood
Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
Skypark Camp RV Resort
North Shore Campground - Lake Arrowhead
Hesperia Lake Park and Campground City Park
Rim of the World Byway (near 15 fwy south) DispersedA
Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground
Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp Retreat
San Bernardino National Forest Crab Flats Campground
Hilltop Tavern and Inn
San Bernardino National Forest Green Valley Campground
Recent Reviews near Cedarpines Park, CA
1417 Reviews of 325 Cedarpines Park Campgrounds
Julien M.
TravelerStone Creek Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Spacious campsites
Camped 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
- Michael E.
ScoutReflection Lake RV Park
Don't visit too expensive
Has 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
Li K.TravelerHolloway's Marina & RV Park
A disappointing experience
We 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.
Jalin C.TravelerCrystal Lake Rec Area Campground
noisy but beautiful
very 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.
D F.ScoutLake Perris State Recreational Area Campground
Nice lake, challenging crowd
The 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.
- J
Jerina V.TravelerMesa Campground — Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
Fun camp trip
Nice 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.
- DDennis D.Scout
Mill Creek Dispersed Camping
Mill Creek
Easy 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.
Hans V.
RangerMesa Campground — Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
Fine, nicely wooded
No 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
Guide to Cedarpines Park
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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?
What camping is available near Cedarpines Park, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cedarpines Park, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 325 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedarpines Park, CA and 28 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cedarpines Park, CA?
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?
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?
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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