Dispersed camping and equestrian opportunities near Highland, California offer options within the San Bernardino National Forest. Located in San Bernardino County with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 5,000 feet, the region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters. The terrain transitions from chaparral foothills to pine forests as you gain elevation, providing varied camping environments.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground provides access to fishing with consistent catches. "This lake has been good to me and my friends, always catch something, maybe not a lunker but fun," notes John H. about Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground.
Hiking trails: San Bernardino National Forest offers numerous trails near Heart Bar Campground. "Access to a lot of hiking and dirt roads, hike to San Gorgonio, drive up to Coon Creek Cabin, or just relax," explains Mike M. about Heart Bar Campground.
Hot springs: For a unique experience, visit Deep Creek Hot Springs. "The hike to the hot springs is fairly tough, but we found it easily with the trail starting right on the property," shares Jessica B. The springs allow therapeutic hot-cold plunges when combined with the nearby cold creek.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites. "The double sites are a must when going with a group of 10 people. This specific site is very spacious with double of the parking spots (4 cars total), 2 fire pits, and 2 benches," mentions Chrystal M. about Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites.
Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the maintained bathrooms at multiple locations. "Bathrooms are clean, they provide toilet paper, and also has air fresheners inside," notes a review about Coon Creek. Similarly, at Rancho Jurupa RV Park, campers mention "Spaces are one of the cleanest I seen."
Wildlife viewing: The area offers opportunities to spot local fauna. "Sights of all kinds of birds like hawks and herons," says Xochiquetzal G. about Rancho Jurupa RV Park. Heart Bar Campground sits over a small meadow where "deer graze in the evenings."
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: Horse campgrounds near Highland, California are limited. While several campgrounds allow pets, dedicated equestrian facilities are scarce. Bogart County Park has trails but no specific horse corrals mentioned in reviews.
Weather considerations: Temperature variations can be extreme. "We were there in August and the weather was perfect. Warm during the day and just chilly at night," shares Gina C. about Heart Bar, while another camper warns, "Very cold at night!"
Reservation recommendations: For popular sites, especially during weekends, early booking is essential. "I understand people don't get off work early enough etc, but it makes it incredibly unfair to those who are out aside from the weekend," explains cori H. about Bogart County Park and the issue of sites being "held" with chairs.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some parks offer special features for children. "Splash pad, park, mini golf great amenities," mentions Marcella D. about Rancho Jurupa RV Park. Lake Perris offers educational opportunities with "a cool museum were the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes."
Security considerations: Campground security varies by location. "Ranger is on constant patrol. Low-key felt like bikini bottom. Only knock is… no wifi," notes Troy A. about Rancho Jurupa, while at other locations campers recommend securing belongings.
Wildlife awareness: Be prepared for local wildlife encounters. "There are a lot of ground squirrels! I ended up with two in my tent and one in my van! Very unsettling," warns Melissa M. about Hesperia Lake Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV services vary significantly between campgrounds. "No sewage and WI-FI is kind of inconvenient," mentions Troy A. about Lake Perris, while Rancho Jurupa offers more complete hookups.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some sites. "A lot of spaces are unleveled but it's not a deal breaker for me," notes a Lake Perris camper. At Heart Bar, sites vary in slope and terrain.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. For Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites, "The road was pretty well maintained, a car without 4WD can handle it easily," though other reviews mention rougher sections further in.
