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The San Bernardino National Forest hosts multiple campgrounds near Highland, California, with options ranging from developed sites to primitive camping areas. Yucaipa Regional Park provides full-hookup RV sites and tent camping, while Dogwood Campground offers a more forested experience at higher elevation. The area features both accessible front-country camping and more remote options throughout the mountain terrain, with many sites accommodating both tent and RV camping within a 30-minute drive of Highland.
Campground facilities vary significantly across the region, with several parks offering electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities. Dogwood Campground and San Gorgonio Campground maintain seasonal operations due to winter conditions, typically closing from late fall through early spring. Serrano Campground near Big Bear Lake operates from March to November, while lower-elevation sites like Yucaipa Regional Park remain open year-round. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. A camper noted, "The spaces are spread out very nice. The only downside are the showers and bathrooms, but if you have a trailer with your own toilet and shower you are good to go."
Campers report that sites at higher elevations provide relief from summer heat and access to mountain recreation. Yucaipa Regional Park receives consistent praise for its spaciousness and amenities. "This park is beautifully maintained. Full hookup. Some sites have better shade than others," mentioned one visitor. The Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites offer more primitive, free camping options for those seeking greater solitude. Lake access is available at several locations, including Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area and Lake Perris State Recreational Area, both within driving distance of Highland. These water-adjacent campgrounds typically feature more amenities but also experience higher demand during peak season. Sites vary in shade coverage, with many offering a mix of sun and partial tree cover.
"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 Availability"Tons of hiking trails and within 30 min drive of major shopping/grocery stores. Big Bear is about an hour away with and awesome drive up the mountain."
"Close to the city but far enough away from the lights. There is a ton of stuff to do here. Fishing, kayaking, hiking, water slides, disc golf, bike trails. The RV spots are beyond huge!"
"Already been here twice once in 01/25 and 11/25 great campsite some have access to running water facet if not there are some that are close by, have also close by trash bins, has a little shop near by"
"It is right next to the lake which has a swimming area, bike path, climbing area, Hiking trails, along with a camp store which has boat rentals and much more! "
from $25 - $300 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"Most of the sites have incredible views looking out over Lake Hemet and of the San Jacinto mountains."
"Fun off-road adventure to get to the site. Minimal sites so not much crowding."
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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."
from $34 - $69 / night
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TravelerCamped 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
ScoutHas 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
TravelerWe 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.
Travelervery 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.
ScoutThe 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.
TravelerNice 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.
ScoutEasy 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.
GuideNo 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
TravelerCamp site is in walking distance of Idyllwild. Has has a couple of sites with electric hookups. Bathrooms are clean, showers need a token for $1. Being close to the road makes it noisy during the daytime .
The San Bernardino Mountains near Highland, California range from 1,500 to over 11,000 feet elevation, creating distinct camping environments from lower woodland areas to alpine settings. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F at higher elevations, while winter brings snow above 6,000 feet. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally with limited availability from late October through April due to winter conditions.
Mountain biking at Skypark Camp RV Resort: Located directly across from Santa's Village bike park with trails for various skill levels. "Skypark is right across the street for mountain bikes. Lake Arrowhead is close for supplies or food," notes Bryan S., who appreciated the convenient access to recreation options while staying at the Skypark Camp RV Resort.
Hiking from North Shore Campground: Access trails that connect to the broader San Bernardino National Forest trail system. "There is a lovely hiking trail at the far end of the site," reports Summer A., who visited North Shore Campground. The trails range from easy 1-2 mile loops to more challenging routes.
Fishing at Lake Perris: Multiple fishing spots with bass, bluegill, and rainbow trout. "This lake has been good to me and my friends, always catch something, maybe not a lunker but fun," says John H. about the Lake Perris State Recreational Area, which offers both shoreline and boat fishing opportunities.
Private, shaded campsites at Dogwood Campground: Most sites feature mature trees and natural buffers between neighbors. "The campsites are within a forest, so they provide a lot of shade. The campgrounds are spacious and restrooms and water are nearby each site," explains Joe G. about Dogwood Campground, which sits at approximately 5,600 feet elevation.
Free dispersed camping options: Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites offer no-cost camping for those willing to forgo amenities. "Excellent place to camp. And free, no less. Need high clearance or 4wd vehicle for a rough road but once you get to the top, the sites are great!" states Steve, who found the Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites to be worth the journey despite the challenging access.
Clean facilities at Serrano Campground: Well-maintained restrooms and common areas with accessible amenities. "Very Clean. We were right by the restrooms, which was nice. Clean flush toilets and showers. Fire pit and picnic tables are at each site," shares Sarah C., who values the balance of natural surroundings and essential comforts at Serrano Campground.
Road conditions for primitive sites: Some dispersed camping areas require specific vehicle capabilities. "The roads leading up are uneven roughly graded dirt and gravel so be prepared for that, and the campsites are spaced out quite a bit between site 1 and sites 2-8," advises Mark C. about the Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites, where high-clearance vehicles are recommended.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in certain areas, particularly at higher elevations. "Please be sure to cover your ice chest, even in your vehicle, as the bears, are all too familiar with them. My sister did not heed my warning, and we woke in the middle of the night to the local resident (a bear) tipping and subsequently going through her cooler," warns Jennifer D. from her experiences at San Gorgonio Campground.
Water limitations: Many primitive sites lack running water. "These sites are basic and no campfires are allowed. You will obviously have no amenities and need to pack in food and water and pack out all trash," cautions Mark C. about the Thomas Hunting Grounds area.
Accessibility to activities: Choose campgrounds with on-site or nearby recreation. "Great campsite. Flush toilets, clean with drinking water, showers, flush toilets. And 1-2 trailheads leading out of the site," recommends Viktoria B. about Dogwood Campground, highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Bike-friendly options: Some campgrounds feature internal paths and access to bicycle routes. "We loved camping here. Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake. The town is bike friendly," shares Trey T. from Serrano Campground, noting the kid-friendly transportation options.
Water features for summer cooling: Consider lake-adjacent sites during hot months. "Lake Perris was a fun and clean place to camp at! We did some fishing, bike riding, the water was clear, and my kids loved it," shares Lauren R., whose family enjoyed the swimming and water activities at Lake Perris State Recreational Area.
Site selection for trailers: Request specific sites if driving larger rigs. "Great park. New clean. Spots are a little tight if you have a bigger unit," advises Bryan S. about Skypark Camp RV Resort, suggesting careful consideration for RV placement at this newer facility.
Off-season flexibility: Consider winter camping at lower elevations when higher campgrounds close. "We camped here the last weekend before they closed for the winter, after Thanksgiving. The campground was clean, quiet, and had a decent amount of space between sites... Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains," explains Nicole W. about Serrano Campground, highlighting both the advantages and challenges of cold-weather camping.
Hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer full connections. "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," notes David V. about Dogwood Campground, pointing out the limited number of sites with power connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Highland, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Highland, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 420 campgrounds and RV parks near Highland, CA and 91 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Highland, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Highland, CA is Dogwood with a 4.7-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Highland, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 91 free dispersed camping spots near Highland, CA.
What parks are near Highland, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Highland, CA that allow camping, notably San Bernardino National Forest and Mojave River Dam.
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