7 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Dogwood Campground and Mesa Campground both welcome pets throughout their pet-friendly campsites near Cedarpines Park. These campgrounds in the San Bernardino National Forest provide designated areas where dogs can accompany their owners while camping. Dogwood offers spacious tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire rings, ensuring comfortable accommodations for campers and their four-legged companions. Mesa Campground at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area maintains clean, beautifully kept grounds with shaded sites perfect for pets during warmer months. Large campsites provide adequate space for pets to settle in with their owners, though sites are typically closer together on weekends when the campground becomes crowded. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times in both campgrounds, and owners should bring waste bags as pet waste stations are limited.
Hiking trails surrounding Silverwood Lake offer excellent opportunities for exercising dogs while taking in mountain views. The Pacific Crest Trail passes nearby, providing extended hiking options for active dogs and their owners. Campers should be aware that during summer months, the asphalt can become extremely hot and uncomfortable for pets' paws. Bears occasionally visit the campgrounds, so secure food storage is essential when camping with pets. Most campgrounds in the area have limited shade during peak summer months, making morning and evening the best times for dog walks. The campgrounds near Cedarpines Park provide easy access to water recreation, though pets are not permitted on swimming beaches at Silverwood Lake despite many visitors bringing them anyway.
"Each trail I used offered lovely views. This campground is huge, yet felt homey. My cat watched the squirrels play on nearby trees from the RV."
"Stayed a couple years in a row with me family. ( and dog) site large enough for two large family tents. Picnic table and fire ring."
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
"I felt like it was the prefect spot given the leveled ground and the fact that we had a kid and dog posse. But let me tell you about the ranger named Shawn."
"There is a lovely hiking trail at the far end of the site. There is water, flush toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables. It is a short walk to Lake Arrowhead. This is a dog friendly site."
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
"Big Bear Lake near by, lake level appears to be receding. Bears and coyotes in the area, recommended not to let small dogs or cats roam unattended."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $44 - $91 / night
"it's a members only you can still get in on a trial it is an excellent place to buy into though I must say so they have activities themes that very from weekend a weekend such as example there was a petting"
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.
San Bernardino National Forest campgrounds near Cedarpines Park range from 5,000 to 7,000 feet in elevation, offering cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowland areas. The region's dog-friendly campgrounds typically enforce standard leash policies and provide varied terrain for pet exercise. Campground access roads often include mountain switchbacks that can be challenging for larger vehicles during winter conditions.
Hiking with pets: At Dogwood Campground, trails start right from the campground. "There are even a couple small hiking trails within the campground for some fun exploration," notes Troy L. The Enchanted Loop nature trail at the back end of the camp offers accessible views for all skill levels.
Mountain biking access: Skypark Camp RV Resort provides direct access to local bike trails. "Skypark is right across the street for mountain bikes," mentions Bryan S. The campground's elevated position gives riders convenient access to established trail networks without needing to transport bikes by vehicle.
Fishing opportunities: Green Valley Lake near North Shore Campground offers pet-friendly shoreline fishing. "The lake is very clean and has a lot of fish," according to Aleena S. Note that you'll need to purchase fishing permits, and the lake charges per-person entry fees in addition to license requirements.
Campsite spacing: Many reviewers appreciate the privacy at Hanna Flat Campground, where "the campsites are all private and unique... no two are the same," according to Heidi H. Sites are set among large trees, creating natural separation between camping areas.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms. At Skypark Camp RV Resort, "bathrooms are very clean and each private room includes a shower," notes Lannie B. This attention to cleanliness can be especially important when camping with pets that need regular cleaning.
Wildlife viewing: While keeping pets leashed, campers can observe local wildlife. At Silverwood Lake, visitors might spot bears, as Rosalina P. mentions: "Just had the best weekend even with the 3 bears that decided to come by." Pet owners should store food securely and maintain distance from wildlife.
Bear activity: Multiple campgrounds report bear sightings. At Mesa Campground — Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, proper food storage is essential. Shuree F. notes that "Each campsite has a bear box to store food," which helps prevent unwanted wildlife encounters when camping with pets.
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Serrano Campground typically operates from "March 15 to November 24," and Hanna Flat's season runs "May 2 to October 26." Always verify current operating dates before planning a trip with pets.
Noise levels: Some campgrounds can get loud, especially on weekends. At Mesa Campground, Elly A. reports: "I've stayed here twice... Both times, neighboring campers were blasting music. Not just a little loud, but so loud I felt the bass two loops away." Consider mid-week visits for quieter conditions with pets.
Accessible trails: Families appreciate easy hiking options that accommodate all ages. At Dogwood Campground, "Access to the Enchanted loop nature trail is at the back end of the camp and offers some great views," says Jeremiah F. These shorter trails work well for families with pets.
Recreation amenities: Some campgrounds offer additional activities. At Applewhite Campground, "the creek is across street," notes Sara H., providing a natural play area. Campgrounds near lakes often include designated swimming areas, though pets are typically restricted from these zones.
Campground layout: Choose sites based on proximity to facilities. At Mojave River Forks Regional Park, "each campsite has a nice picnic table and fire pit with a grill," according to Bower, while Dogwood Campground features "spacious tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire rings."
Site dimensions: At Serrano Campground, Martha S. notes, "Nice 'big' spots so you don't feel like you're on top of one another," making it suitable for RVs with pets that need exercise space. However, she cautions that "from space 58 to the nearest bathroom is a 1/4 mile walk," which can be inconvenient.
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer partial or full hookups. Dogwood Campground "has electric and water hook up for RVs in a few sites that are reservable," according to David V., while most sites are primitive. This can be important for RVers needing climate control for pets.
Road conditions: Access roads can challenge larger RVs. At Hanna Flat, Bryan S. describes it as "tucked away in the woods" with unpaved access routes. North Shore Campground has similar challenges, where "the route on our GPS sent us to a couple different locations before we reached our destination," according to Giovanni H.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cedarpines Park, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cedarpines Park, CA is Dogwood with a 4.7-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cedarpines Park, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 224 dog-friendly camping locations near Cedarpines Park, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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