Best Tent Camping near Forest Falls, CA
San Bernardino National Forest surrounding Forest Falls, California offers diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Yucaipa Regional Park provides dedicated tent camping areas with group sites featuring built-in grills and running water, while primitive tent campsites can be found at Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites and Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites. For backcountry tent camping experiences, Dry Lake Backpacking Campground and Halfway Camp offer secluded sites accessible only by foot trail, requiring wilderness permits obtained from Mill Creek Ranger Station.
Most tent-only sites in the region have minimal amenities, requiring campers to bring their own water and supplies. Yellow Post sites typically include fire rings and sometimes picnic tables, but lack potable water and restroom facilities. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing many of the dispersed tent camping areas, particularly Thomas Hunting Grounds where rough dirt roads lead to the campsites. Seasonal considerations are important, as higher elevation sites may experience snow through May, with temperatures dropping significantly at night even during summer months. Fire restrictions are common during dry seasons, and wilderness permits are required for overnight stays in backcountry areas.
Tent campers frequently report exceptional solitude at these sites despite their proximity to urban areas. According to reviews, Keller Peak Yellow Post sites are "stretched across 5 miles so you will have no neighbors," making them ideal for tent campers seeking privacy. At Dry Lake Backpacking Campground, one camper noted that "though the campground was pretty much full, we still felt secluded since the grouped sites were spread apart." Wildlife sightings are common, with deer frequently observed near Halfway Camp. Temperature extremes should be anticipated, particularly at higher elevations where overnight temperatures can drop dramatically even in May. Most walk-in tent sites connect to extensive trail networks, making them excellent basecamps for day hiking or summit attempts of San Gorgonio and other peaks.
