Serrano Campground's pet-friendly sites feature picnic tables and fire rings with pets allowed throughout the grounds. San Gorgonio Campground and Yucaipa Regional Park also welcome dogs, with both offering reservable sites suitable for tent and RV camping. Pineknot Campground provides pet owners with spacious sites that give each party plenty of room, making it ideal for those traveling with multiple dogs. The campgrounds maintain clean facilities with accessible drinking water and trash disposal. Barton Flats Family Campground and Heart Bar Campground round out the pet-friendly options near Forest Falls, with seasonal availability typically running May through October. East Flats offers free dispersed camping for those seeking a more primitive experience with their pets. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies and request that owners clean up after their pets.
Dog-friendly trails accessible from these campgrounds provide excellent hiking opportunities with pets. Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites offers scenic views and hiking trails beyond the campground, though access via Forest Road 1N12 requires 4x4 vehicles and considerable driving time. Campers report hearing coyotes at night in several locations, so keeping smaller pets supervised is recommended. The National Forest campgrounds typically don't have designated dog parks, but the surrounding forest provides ample space for exercise. During peak seasons (May-October), reservations are strongly advised as these pet-friendly sites fill quickly. Dogwood Campground offers electric hookups for RV campers with pets, while Hanna Flat Campground provides a more rustic experience with pets. Wildlife encounters are possible, with bears and coyotes in the area, making it inadvisable to leave small dogs or cats unattended.
$44 - $91 / 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."
$34 - $69 / night
"San Gorgonio, aptly named for the famed crown peak near by, is a nice mix of family friendly and weekend escape."
"If you live in Southern California and haven't climbed the highest peak, you need to get out there and experience nature."
"The green spaces are full of stickers and mostly unusable for things like walking dogs, kids playing. I was charged junk fees. $7 to make the reservation myself online and then $1 per pet, per night."
"There’s no larger wildlife, like bears, so less stressful when you have pets or kids. Plenty of space to bring bikes and ride around."
$36 - $73 / night
"Came here for a weekend, good spot for tent camping, I went on an off trail hike, cool, fun area. Some views. Drove over to the lake but couldn’t find parking. Very quiet and clean as well."
"mountain just a short hike away from our site, #23. "
$29 - $58 / night
"The first thing to mention is the location. The back of the campground faces west where the rolling mountains seem to part in a way that showcases the beautiful California sunset."
"second reason; there are many many sites to choose from. this camp ground has several loops that each contain roughly 20 campsites, sometimes more. on any given day you should be able to drive up, though"
"This is before forest fall bbq spot. Other then that lot of hiker after camp ground."
"Most of the sites have incredible views looking out over Lake Hemet and of the San Jacinto mountains."
$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."
$34 - $36 / night
"Pet friendly, our three dogs loved it! Staff was incredibly helpful and hard working. Also it was well located as it was a semi-quick drive to a few fun locations."
"Pineknot is perfectly situated in Big Bear where you're in the woods but only a short walk to Snow Summit. "
"There are a number of campers, but remote locations are easily found. If you bring pets, be aware they may upset Rattlesnakes."
"What more can you ask for a few hours away from LA proper…"
$40 - $81 / night
"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."
TravelerComfortable partial hookup sites, pet friendly, and nice people. Theres a dog park next door. The bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities work well (although coin only, no cards).
GuideSome nice campground and view from last post. Got some nice view at night. If your thinking of going up. Prefer to take the back road to get there faster before heading up big bear. The 1n12 road pretty rough. If you prefer to go that route. Prepare for 2.5 hour slow 4x4 ride. This is before forest fall bbq spot. Other then that lot of hiker after camp ground.
RangerVery clean, dog friendly ( with dog park) helpful nice staff, propane available, small playground and swimming pool, picnic tables and grills at each site
GuideNot a very attractive drive in. Lots and lots of trash in the shrubbery and fields along the highway. Reservation and check in was easy. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. The RV park itself is attractive and seems to be fairly well maintained. It seems there are two rv areas. A lower older area and an upper newer and more attractive area. We were in the older area. Site was gravel with a small concrete area. Unfortunately, no one there seems to care about the dog poop everywhere (not exaggerating!). We and the people behind us parking had to clean dog poop off our site before we could set up. When walking our dog we saw poop everywhere. Dog park was ok, but on the small side and would be better with a gravel base instead of the dirt (very, very dusty and results in a dirty, dusty dog). There is a huge field adjacent and owned by the rv park that you can walk and or run your dog. But also full of poop. Bathroom smaller, older in the lower area. Much nicer, more modern bathrooms in the newer area. Two laundry rooms but no front loaders and the older laundry room only had two washers and two dryers. Can use quarters or an app. Pool and spa seemed pretty popular but we didn’t use. Area could really use some lighting at night. Very dark with minimal lighting in the older section. Trash is picked up every morning if you leave outside your site.
GuideBeing reasonably close to our home base, we frequent this park with the family. Major grocery and shopping establishments are nearby, with Target directly across the street, In-n-Out, local parks, and the like. Our kids love the pool area, grandparents love the pickleball courts, and there are always fun activities to do throughout the year. Full-timers are friendly and inclusive of newcomers and passer-throughs. Dog parks are clean and located at either corner of the park. The entrance security kiosk is staffed 24/7, and they'll even help spot you while parking your rig. We cannot say enough good things about this place.
Check their website for events and specials.
GuideI had site 126 in the fields, corner site and lake view. This campground has a pool, splash pad, park, dog park and access to the lake. They also have a band on Saturday nights. The only bad part is they strictly enforce quiet time at 10pm. I felt like a kid being told to go to bed. I feel like on weekends people should be able to stay up late in front of their camper with low voices. Shouldn’t be hounded night after night! That was my only complaint.
GuideRV Park full of residence and full timers. Will accommodate one or more nights. Good place to recharge and do laundry. Everything looks mostly clean and the pool was nice too. Small dog park with real grass.
RangerThis campground was small, but cozy. They have an unheated pool (which looked a little dirty) no hot tub, and about 3 recreational rooms. One had a pool table with a comfy looking couch, and the other had tables for card playing.
There was a dog park outside, but not much more. There was a picnic table and a grill in just about every spot.
Water pressure was fantastic, and I got t-mobile cell service here.
GuideShadow Hills RV Resort is a stellar urban RV resort with all the amenities. Full hookups, daily trash pickups at each site, cable tv, large level pads with privacy hedge, small dog parks scattered throughout, gated security, nice restrooms w/ showers (free). We were visiting family who were just a short bike ride away. Can be extremely windy here. Desert X environmental art installations are nearby.
East Flats offers free dispersed camping for visitors traveling with pets near Forest Falls, California. Located at 34.16 degrees latitude, this primitive camping area sits at approximately 7,000 feet elevation in the San Bernardino National Forest. The mountain climate brings cold overnight temperatures even in summer months, with winter conditions often including snow and ice from November through April.
Hike to Jenks Lake: From East Flats, visitors can access nearby trails leading to Jenks Lake. "My wife and our friends love this spot. As a matter of fact, we got engaged at nearby Jenks Lake and celebrated here after," writes Joe V., highlighting the area's romantic appeal.
Mountain biking: The terrain around Thomas Hunting Grounds provides excellent mountain biking opportunities. "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," Chelsea R. notes about this less-crowded area.
Wildlife observation: Multiple campsites offer wildlife viewing opportunities. "Starlink internet here was great and we stayed 2 days to work here. Saw multiple deer walking by our site," reports Ciara W. about East Flats, indicating the area supports working remotely while wildlife watching.
Spacious campsites: Many visitors appreciate the generous spacing between sites at Heart Bar Campground. "By far this has got to be the best and largest campground on the 38. First reason is the pricing. At only $21 per night for a single site, this is the best priced campground in the area excluding free yellow post sites," explains Nick L.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained facilities. "We loved camping here. Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake. The town is bike friendly. Some road noise but quiet over night," shares Trey T. about Serrano Campground.
Internet connectivity: Surprisingly good cell service exists at certain sites. "Many even spots even for bigger vehicles. Very quiet and I even have internet (Telekom)!" reports Patrizia H. about East Flats, making it suitable for remote workers.
Weather fluctuations: Mountain temperatures vary dramatically. "San Gorgonio, aptly named for the famed crown peak near by, is a nice mix of family friendly and weekend escape. Don't be surprised by temps reaching as high as 90° in the summer and near freezing in the fall at night," advises Nick L. about San Gorgonio Campground.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require high-clearance vehicles. "If your thinking of going up. Prefer to take the back road to get there faster before heading up big bear. The 1n12 road pretty rough. If you prefer to go that route. Prepare for 2.5 hour slow 4x4 ride," warns OldskoolEG6 X. about Thomas Hunting Grounds.
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds operate seasonally. "Wasn't hard to find a little rough but fairly easy to reach with our Sedan. Couldn't find too much to do but if you're looking for a weekend getaway to relax it's a nice spot," reports Andres V. about East Flats, which remains accessible year-round.
Look for playgrounds: For families with young children, Yucaipa Regional Park offers additional entertainment options. "This is your typical regional park Campground. There's a lot to do here, including fishing, playgrounds, and even a waterpark in the summer," explains Mary F.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds maintain better quiet hours than others. "This is a state run campground. Plenty of loops. All under trees (as far as we could see). We chose the loop closest to the lake, just about a minute walk for a nice view. Very shady," reports Jennifer D. about Serrano Campground.
Choose double sites for larger groups: Families traveling together benefit from adjacent sites. "This specific site is very spacious with double of the parking spots (4 cars total), 2 fire pits, and 2 benches," explains Chrystal M. about Heart Bar Campground's double sites 23 & 24.
Electric hookup options: RVers seeking hookups have limited choices in the area. "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. Fires allowed which is nice," shares Paul C. about Yucaipa Regional Park.
Dump station access: Plan waste disposal carefully as not all campgrounds offer dump stations. "The campsite was easy to find there are plenty of spots and they are level multiple spots for a class a 34 foot motorhome. I am far enough away where I don't hear everyone talking," notes Jesse W. about East Flats.
Site sizing considerations: Many campgrounds have limited space for large rigs. "Great campground. Lots to do with San Gorgonio Mt right here, Jenks Lake, Santa Ana river (and River Trail for MTB). Larger rigs will do just fine within the first 1/4 mile, roads are a bit rough with rock and drainage ditches but our 40' trailer had zero issues," reports Mike M. about the pet-friendly dispersed camping at East Flats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Forest Falls, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Forest Falls, CA is Serrano with a 4.6-star rating from 35 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 262 dog-friendly camping locations near Forest Falls, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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