Johnson Valley camping spans diverse terrains from high-desert wilderness to mountain pine forests. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevations while summer days often exceed 100°F in the valley floor. Several campgrounds offer glamping alternatives ranging from basic cabin rentals to luxury yurt accommodations when extreme weather conditions make tent camping impractical.
What to do
Biking on dedicated trails: Serrano Campground connects directly to bike paths circling Big Bear Lake. "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," notes Trey T. about the trails.
Stargazing at night: Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites provide exceptional dark sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Stunning views and true solitude. Cool nights, dark skies, classic forest feel," explains Bruce R. about the nighttime conditions at this primitive campsite area.
Mineral hot springs soaking: Catalina Spa and RV Resort offers mineral spring-fed pools at different temperatures. "Upper section is exposed to the frequent high winds. Lower section is blocked by trees and bushes which block you from your neighbors. Lower mineral pool is more adult friendly," shares JMark H., noting the different pool areas.
Calico Ghost Town exploration: Located just a short drive from Barstow-Calico KOA, this historic mining town offers guided tours. "Just up the road too is the Calico western ghost town," mentions Michael M. about this historic attraction.
What campers like
Natural hot springs: The Palm Springs-Joshua Tree area features resorts with geothermal pools. "Outstanding Facility. Great Staff. Easy check in. Great level sites. Geothermal pool and spas. 90, 100 and 104 degrees heated in December!!" reports Michael C. about Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA.
Well-maintained facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of Johnson Valley area campgrounds. "The campground was clean, quiet, and had a decent amount of space between sites. There is a biking trail that goes through the campground that was well used," writes Nicole W. about her stay at Serrano.
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer natural barriers between campsites. At Catalina Spa and RV Resort, "The sites are spaced moderately with easy access to hookups and shrubbery between each site," according to Scott G., who adds that the "roads in front of each site are newly paved with a small apron on each."
Community activities: Organized events enhance the glamping experience in Johnson Valley. "We've enjoyed learning and playing pickleball. The pools are warm and well maintained," notes Scott G. about Catalina Spa, which also hosts "an informal happy hour Saturday late afternoon (byob), and we enjoyed a great Thanksgiving dinner."
What you should know
Weather challenges: Desert wind conditions can impact camping comfort. "Way too windy. We had tents and trailers. None of us slept. The trailer rocked horribly and the tents were filled with dirt. The yurts walls were impacted by the wind and the maintenance people were out trying to fix them," warns Theresa O. about her experience at Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA.
Highway noise levels: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise from nearby roads. At Barstow-Calico KOA, "Unfortunately it is extremely close to I-15 and the traffic on 15 never stops. It made for a rough night's sleep," reports David M., while Michael M. adds, "the down side of being in the front is the traffic noise from the highway...I could hear it all night."
Water levels fluctuate: Lake-adjacent sites may not always have water access. At Lake Hemet Campground, "The premium lakefront sites are no longer lakefront due to the drought so you have no dedicated shoreline as you would have had in the past," mentions Joe P., while Doreen K. notes, "Beautiful view. Clean campground. Extra nice staff. Restrooms clean. Quite. Only problems were bees and no shade."
Security concerns at remote sites: Some primitive camping areas have reported safety issues. "My last trip was frightening enough that I haven't returned. Late at night a group of locals came to the edge of my site, yelling and using threatening language," reports Bruce R. about Keller Peak, adding that a ranger later confirmed they "don't patrol up there at night because of recurring issues."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated activities: Campgrounds with built-in entertainment keep kids engaged. "The good was the maintenance crew is attentive. The pools and hot tubs are great. The list of activities were such a nice touch. The staff are all so kind and accommodating. The sites are all very large, from tents to RV sites," notes Theresa O. about Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA.
Consider site proximity to amenities: Families benefit from strategically located campsites. "Check in with Max was super easy and friendly. He put us in spot 62. And man, what a spot. A gravel spot with a concrete pad and picnic table, with a view to die for!" shares Lane H. about his stay at Lighthouse Trailer Resort, where camping options include proximity to water activities.
Bring water toys: Lake-based camping offers recreational opportunities. "We had the best time here! The lake with all the blow up toys was a blast!" exclaims Jennifer D. about Lake Hemet, adding, "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!"
Dog-friendly options: Many families camp with pets in the Johnson Valley area. "HUGE plus is that it's totally dog friendly! I got a camper so I could take my puppies with me on vacation so if dogs aren't allowed I pass the campground up. This one is so accepting and OMG there are dogs everywhere. It's awesome. My 3 LOVED it!" writes Martha S. about Serrano.
Tips from RVers
Sewer connections vary: Check hookup placement before arrival. "Where it is lacking and needs some work: Sites are not level. Our dump hookup ended up being uphill so one has to milk the house to empty (our neighbors had the same situation)," warns Cindy B. about Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA.
Prepare for freezing pipes: Winter glamping in Johnson Valley requires cold weather precautions. "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," advises Donovan about Lake Hemet Campground.
Site levelness varies: Check campground reviews about specific site conditions. "The sites themselves are easy to navigate into. Nice wide streets," notes Cindy B., though she cautions that sites "are not level" at Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA, while Scott G. reports Catalina Spa sites are "fairly level."
Wintertime amenities: Some seasonal facilities remain accessible year-round. "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 winter camping at Serrano.
