The San Jacinto Mountains surrounding Idyllwild, California feature numerous developed campgrounds and primitive sites at elevations between 5,000-8,000 feet. Camping near Idyllwild ranges from RV-accessible sites with hookups and cabin rentals to primitive tent-only areas, giving campers flexible options across the region. Mount San Jacinto State Park contains several campgrounds including Stone Creek and Marion Mountain, while nearby Lake Hemet and Hurkey Creek Park offer lakeside camping options. Thousand Trails Idyllwild and Lake Hemet Campground provide more developed facilities with amenities like showers, picnic tables, and fire rings, while yellow post sites on Thomas Mountain offer more primitive experiences.
Camping in the Idyllwild area requires planning around seasonal conditions, with many campgrounds operating only from May through September due to winter weather. "The campground has room for 1 car, and was allotted 8 people. A long picnic table and a campfire ring with a grill option!" noted one camper about Stone Creek Campground. Fire restrictions frequently impact the region during dry summer months, with some campgrounds prohibiting wood fires during high-risk periods. Most developed sites require reservations, particularly on weekends and during summer months. Temperatures at higher elevations can be significantly cooler than surrounding valleys, often 10-15 degrees lower than Idyllwild town itself, making this area popular for summer escapes from coastal heat.
Proximity to the town of Idyllwild represents a significant advantage for many campgrounds in the area. Several campers mentioned the convenience of being able to walk or drive a short distance to town for supplies, restaurants, or entertainment. The campgrounds vary in privacy levels, with Boulder Basin offering more secluded sites while Idyllwild Campground sites are described as "close to each other" by some reviewers. Many campgrounds connect to hiking trails, including access to the Pacific Crest Trail from certain locations. A camper described Marion Mountain as having "fairly spaced out sites offering privacy to take in all nature has to offer," highlighting the natural setting that draws visitors to the area. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are common throughout the region's campgrounds.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$45 / night
"Really a fun lake to actually catch some fish. Kayaking, biking & boat rentals. Busy on weekends and empty during the week; it’s a great place to bring a tent or RV."
"You can fit two 10' x10' canopies to cover the bench table, and fit 2 individual tents (4-6 person) OR a bigger 12p tent however you decide to position it. It has its own Fire pit."
$25 - $45 / night
"Idyllwild County campground is not that easy to find, but when you finally find it you will be glad you did. It is dog friendly, clean restrooms, showers and very friendly staff."
"Nice quiet campground within walking distance to downtown Idyllwild. Water available near sites. We were in a pop up camper."
$30 - $35 / night
"Lots of trails nearby and close to Idyllwild CA. Free entry into a few other attractions with camping, Idyllwild Nature Center is one."
"This is one of our family's favorite campgrounds because it's a quick drive from San Diego (and OC) and it gives us our "mountain fix" when we don't have time to drive to the Sierra Mountains."
$20 - $35 / night
"My sister, her 3 kids, and 2 dogs jumped into the car and headed out towards Idyllwild, CA."
"Located near Idyllwild, this is the smaller, less rowdy campground associated with the tourist town."
$20 / night
"It was close to Idyllwild, which was convenient when we ran out of ice. There are no bear boxes, not sure if it was needed though. For the best spots, make sure to reserve."
"Marion mountain is located about 6 miles north of the town of Idyllwild and offers shaded campsites and basic car camping amenities."
"We stayed at the Idyllwild RV Resort over Labor Day weekend 2020 and we had a great time."
"When I first got to Idyllwild, a little heat wave was hanging around, but by the 2nd week, the weather was beautiful. They have plenty of spots for tents, RV’s, and cabins."
$20 / night
"The bumpy six mile drive up a dirt road to reach this campground is well worth it. The campground has garbage cans and pit toilets."
"You can also camp at nearby yellow post sites for free. There is bouldering available right in the campground - doesn't get much more convenient than that!"
"Very nice to find a campsite this private on a weekend in southern California elevation is high enough that temperatures were very enjoyable (mid 80's)"
"Yellow Post #2 – San Bernardino National Forest Secluded, free, first-come-first-served tent site tucked deep in the forest near Hemet, CA."
"If you come here make sure that you have a suv or truck and water so you can put out ur fire in ur fire pit and when your by yourself trust me your by yourself no one else is really close by so be safe"
"I had service up there, not to crowded and the spots are a good ways away from each other!"
$25 - $45 / night
"This is a great family campground right around the corner from Temecula, Murrietta, and Menifee."
"The charge $10 per person per day to fish in their Lake. And you can’t swim or let the kids play in the lake because it’s a reservoir."
GuideWide open space bit of trash, looks like possibly some long term visitors here. When you get to the road google directs you on further but it’s closed off. Turn left instead and drive alongside power lines for quarter of a mile.
TravelerI am currently on day 3 of staying out here. Originally planned on a single night but it's incredibly peaceful that I've sort of just lost track of time... If you're a remote worker with Starlink, open your doors and let the morning and evening wind blow through. Even at 81 deg outside, the desert wind keeps you cool. I travel with a cat and she's been absolutely loving rolling around in the sandy dirt. Try to move away from where most set up camp - easily seen by the tracks. I am currently at 34.17920N, 116.21926W and the closest person to me is easily 3-4 football fields away. Occasional gunfire from those near the mountain, but the echos are pretty cool across the flat lake. Park so either facing north or south so you're not blasted by the morning and evening sun through your windshields, even with covers it can heat up quick. If you come, take Sunfair Road, and turn right on Cypress Ave. Keep going straight. Find a place to call home for a few days, and enjoy.
RangerThe canyon is mesmerizing with different rock formations each having different patterns and colors. Very interesting. Be careful not to get stuck in the soft sand. AWD recommended 4wd better.
GuideFor a NP campground, this was nice, but not remote. You are essentially in Yucca Valley, which may be great or not-so-great depending on your expectations. The Joshua trees are plentiful and it was quiet. The facilities were dated, but functional. The staff were incredibly nice and helpful. Despite the proximity to the town, we did have a mountain lion walk through our campsite after dark (we saw him as we pulled in after viewing a sunset in the park). The ranger confirmed they are in the area, but we did not see signage to the effect (we could have missed it). You have to drive through a couple of towns to get back the the Joshua Tree entrance to the park, so be aware the location does not provide direct access. There are hiking trails in the area, but we did not hike them.
TravelerIt was nice, for the first few days, watching as people were racing their trucks and toys across the Coyote Lake. Then the WIND started!
Scoutmy older truck couldn't really handle the terrain.
But didnt matter to me
WE MADE IT!
and that's all I cared about once I got here.
Loud neighbors, who cares!? Again.. the property is gorgeous!
Cold? Bit of a walk to restrooms? Sure.
Dont care. I love it here
I never want to leave!
TravelerA very nice, clean and pretty place. I love the Olyander bushes between sites, they’re in bloom! Nice little lake/pond with ducks. Nicely done!
TravelerIt’s very pretty and clean! Bushes are in bloom, very pretty!
GuideBit windy when we got there in mid-April. Really well taken care of bathrooms and otherwise clean campsite. There are also some cool rocks you can climb to get a nice view of the sunset or sunrise.
Camping near Idyllwild, California ranges from high-elevation mountain sites at 7,000-8,000 feet to lower-elevation options around 4,000 feet near Lake Hemet. The San Jacinto Mountain region experiences temperature variations of 20-30 degrees between day and night, especially at higher elevations where overnight temperatures can drop to the 40s even in summer months. Water availability varies significantly by location, with some campgrounds offering no potable water.
Hiking from camp: Several campgrounds connect directly to trail systems. Stone Creek Campground offers immediate trail access with "a trail in the back of camp" and "Multiple hiking trails led out of camp including one right from next to our site that led to multiple other trails heading up San Jacinto Mountain," according to one camper at Stone Creek Campground.
Mountain biking: The area around Hurkey Creek Park features extensive trail networks. One camper noted, "We hiked around and explored and wished we brought our mountain bikes, lots of good riding around the area." Another mentioned at Hurkey Creek Park that "hiking and relaxing area.. the views are great and it's never to over crowded."
Bouldering: Boulder Basin Campground offers rock climbing opportunities right within the camping area. A visitor mentioned, "Love this small campground, lots of bouldering in the campground. Beautiful scenery." Many campers noted that the bouldering access makes the challenging drive worthwhile.
Fishing at Lake Hemet: Located near several campgrounds, Lake Hemet provides fishing opportunities. A camper reported, "We rented a boat and went out on the lake to do some fishing. We didn't catch anything but we did see some bald eagles which was super cool!"
Privacy between sites: Marion Mountain Campground offers well-spaced sites. One camper described it as having "fairly spaced out sites offering privacy to take in all nature has to offer." Another at Marion Mountain noted that "the campsites are fairly spaced out offering privacy to take in all nature has to offer."
Hot spring pools: For campers willing to drive to Desert Hot Springs, unique amenities await. A visitor to Catalina Spa and RV Resort reported, "They are fed by natural hot springs and warmer than most hot tubs. The camp ground was tidy and the sports were separated by shrubbery for privacy."
Wildlife viewing: The mountain environment supports diverse wildlife. At Hurkey Creek, a camper shared, "You can hear owls and coyotes at night.. I love it here!!!" Others reported deer sightings at various campgrounds throughout the area.
Town proximity: Idyllwild Campground offers unique walkable access to Idyllwild. A camper at Idyllwild Campground noted it's a "Great campsite within 5 minute walk of downtown idyllwild" and another mentioned it "seems seculed from downtown and quiet."
Seasonal water limitations: Water availability varies by campground and season. At Boulder Basin, "Although water is sometimes available, it is not potable and spigots are off during droughts. So make sure to pack enough water ahead of time." Many high-elevation sites require bringing all water.
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations change frequently, especially during dry periods. A recent visitor to Lake Hemet Campground shared, "Every campsite had a fire pit which was nice." However, another camper noted elsewhere, "No open fires this time of the year but nonetheless enjoyable and plenty of stars to be seen."
Road access challenges: Several campgrounds require high-clearance vehicles. A Tool Box Springs visitor advised, "Need high clearance vehicle for some of the ruts, or be VERY experienced driving through rough roads." Boulder Basin requires "a vehicle with 4wheel/AWD and/or something with at least 8-9 inches of ground clearance."
Toilets and facilities: Facility quality varies widely by campground. One camper at Stone Creek noted, "The vault toilets were clean, and well stocked with TP and antibacterial soap. There were three on-site." Meanwhile, at Boulder Basin, visitors warned, "the bathrooms are gnarly but tolerable if you're in and out quickly."
Playground access: Hurkey Creek Park offers dedicated play areas. A visitor mentioned, "Quiet campground with nice sites for tents or RVs. Dogs allowed. Hiking and fishing." Another noted it has a "nice playground, trails to walk and bike."
Swimming options: Lake Hemet offers water recreation for children. One family shared, "We had the best time here! The lake with all the blow up toys was a blast!" Another mentioned, "Every site has a picnic table and fire ring."
Educational opportunities: At Tool Box Springs, wildlife viewing becomes educational. A camper reported, "Lots of wildlife. Raccoons in the night, gray squirrel, other squirrels, many birds." Boulder Basin offers access to a fire lookout tower where "the woman staying there at the time was very knowledgeable and share a lot of information with us!"
Nature walks: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly trails. A family at Stone Creek described, "We took the kids on the nature walk and they loved it! Big brother read the signs about the pine cones to his little sisters!"
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. At Thousand Trails Idyllwild, a camper advised, "Site 414 Had No cell coverage for our Verizon phones. After a drive through the park we found Cell coverage only works in lower part of the park. Our Site was not level at all."
Water connection protection: Mountain temperatures require preparation. One RVer at Lake Hemet cautioned, "Bring insulation for your water hose or have some type of method that will keep your water lines from freezing. Our water hose froze the first night."
Access route considerations: Mountain roads present challenges for RVs. A camper noted, "It is a windy, windy road up into the mountains, and people travel too fast. We saw some serious accident sites when people were traveling too fast."
Hookup variations: Services differ substantially between campgrounds. A visitor explained, "Limited FHU sites one is extremely lucky to find one available. Honey wagon is $25.00 per dump." Others mentioned that even electric sites may not offer 50-amp service at all locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campsites at Idyllwild Campground?
At Idyllwild Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park, the most desirable sites are those that offer both privacy and walking access to downtown. Sites nestled among the large trees provide better seclusion and natural shade. Many campers prefer the sites that back up to forest areas, as they create a stronger wilderness atmosphere while still providing modern amenities. The campground features clean flush toilets and showers (coin-operated). Most sites accommodate tents easily, though some can handle small pop-up campers with careful backing. Look for spots near the trailheads if you plan to hike directly from camp.
Where can I find a map of Idyllwild Campground?
Official maps of Idyllwild Regional Park are available at the entrance station when you check in, showing all campsite locations and amenities. For advance planning, you can download campground maps from the Riverside County Parks website or Mount San Jacinto State Park official page. The Dyrt app also provides interactive campground maps with site details and photos. For more detailed trail maps that connect to the campground, the visitor center in downtown Idyllwild sells topographic maps covering the surrounding wilderness areas, including paths that start within the campground boundaries.
How do Idyllwild Campground reviews compare to other camping options in the area?
Thousand Trails Idyllwild receives excellent reviews for RV camping, with spacious sites, multiple amenities, and a layout that prevents overcrowding even during busy weekends. For a more natural experience with water activities, Lake Hemet Campground is praised for fishing and kayaking opportunities but can get crowded and noisy on weekends. Those seeking a more secluded option appreciate Fern Basin Campground, which offers a more primitive experience outside town. Overall, Idyllwild Campground stands out for its balance of wilderness feel while remaining within walking distance of town amenities.
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