292 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Lucerne Valley ranges from tent-friendly sites to spots that accommodate smaller recreational vehicles, all set within a striking desert landscape. Jumbo Rocks Campground draws many rock climbers who come for the large boulder formations throughout the area. If you want more quiet, Hidden Valley Campground sits a bit farther from the main roads with fewer people around. You should book ahead at both places, particularly on weekends and during spring. The area typically has rules about campfires depending on the season and drought conditions. Jumbo Rocks has bigger sites that work well for both tents and smaller recreational vehicles. At Hidden Valley, the rock formations create natural barriers between campsites, giving you more privacy. Both places have basic pit toilets and tables for eating, but you'll need to bring all your water since none is available at the campgrounds. Spring and fall bring the best weather for camping here, as summer days can hit 100+ degrees while winter nights often drop below freezing. The night sky is incredible in this desert area when there's no moon. Try to follow good camping practices by packing out trash and respecting the natural setting. Kids usually enjoy scrambling on the rocks, making these campgrounds good for families who don't mind the basic facilities. Most people come to hike, climb, or just relax in the desert landscape around Lucerne Valley.
"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"I am here in California getting ready to leave the state by FY22 and had to get outside. I have been exploring the idea of going camping and decided to go this weekend."
"There has been a lot of disrespectful off trail sites being made that is destroying the wilderness that has rebounded since 2003. Before that, it was the wild west."
"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"Lots of great trails and off trail hiking for all levels of experience plus climbing locations for the rockers out there."
"Though this campground doesn’t have spectacular views, it is located in the historic Holcomb Valley and surrounded by tons of hiking and offroad trails to explore. Tall trees with plenty of shade!"
from $27 / night
Check Availability"Pineknot is perfectly situated in Big Bear where you're in the woods but only a short walk to Snow Summit. "
"The last few times we have gone we have stayed in 19 because of its location and layout."
from $34 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Arriving at the campground, the deposit place, obviously on weekends we were not thrilled by everyone around us, as well as the loud noise until past the curfew."
"Some were quite close to one another."
"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
Check Availability"It was Memorial Day weekend pretty busy but camp site was nice rented pontoon boat just a walk from park all in all good time"
"We rented a boat on Saturday and was great just to walk out on the dock with the kids. 4 hr rental was just enough. Make reservations for they sell out on the weekends. Super easy."
"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"Came here for a weekend, good spot for tent camping, I went on an off trail hike, cool, fun area. Some views. Drove over to the lake but couldn’t find parking. Very quiet and clean as well."
"mountain just a short hike away from our site, #23. "
from $36 - $73 / night
Check Availability
TravelerWhen I booked at the reservation site I screenshot that water and 30 amp power was available at my site. There is NO water hook up. Overall it’s good 7 out of 10. Lots to do within 2 hours of this place. Staying for 6 days.
TravelerStayed one night on our way to Utah. Super quiet on Sunday night, we were able to drive right up and pick a spot pretty secluded. Bathrooms were spotless. Camp host was friendly!
ScoutPlace is ok. Quiet so far. Nice people.
GuideWe stopped in visiting Joshua Tree National Park. This is located very close to the Northwest side of park. The RV park is very easy to get to. There are not a lot of options for places to camp. The Dispersed lots have a lot of trash. This is a clean location, very very expensive though. You will pay premium price for no shade and to park in a sand lot. There is a nice little park adjacent to this but that’s the only plus.
LegendTown is wonderful. Campground not so much. Sites way out of level. No Campground decorations, just dirt and rocks. Very tight sites.
ScoutOn the outskirts of Joshua Tree National Park in an old growth Joshua Tree grove. The trees are tall and fat, very close to each other. Heftier than the trees inside the Park.
It has water and dump station, otherwise the campgrounds inside the Park are more majestic with huge rocks.
If you're a fulltime RVer or vanlifer with an efficient solar system, having water in/out and a place to stay safely for cheap is grand. It's four klicks from malls, thus ideal if you need stuff. As a fulltime RVer I book several consecutive days with the app. The grounds are empty on weekdays, thus can spend quality time organizing my rig, thoughts, and plans.
From June to autumn half the campsites are shuttered. The area has limited visitation in summer.
ScoutEasy access but away from street noise. Nothing elegant or fancy but it's a nice spot to spend the weekend. RV sites are next to the baseball fields, which is fun! Some sites have shade trees (beware of dripping pine trees). Grass and trees off the RV sites. Sites are on gravel and concrete pads. Great view of the nearby mountains. Park security patrols throughout the day. We've stayed here twice and would definitely visit again!
GuideI have some reservations about writing this review because my experience at this campground was wonderful. I enjoyed four peaceful days there, and, surprisingly, there were never more than three campers present. The other visitors were all gray-haired, which contributed to the serenity—there were no barking dogs, loud generators, music, or screaming kids. I spoke with some long-time campers who advised against visiting during holiday weekends and summer; they warned that it can turn chaotic. Marion Mountain, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, exudes character and has a relaxed atmosphere that is not geared for partying, although some attempt to make it so. This campground strictly allows only tent camping and very small teardrop trailers or camper vans; RVs and fifth-wheelers are not permitted. The upper loop(sites 1-5) is great for van or tent camping, but parking is limited to one car/van per site, with no extra parking available. This restriction minimizes the flow of day hikers and keeps the campground tranquil. The inside loop features flatter ground for pitching tents, but it does come with close campsites, reducing privacy since the road rings around sites six through ten, which require a short walk to access. On the lower loop, the outside sites are sloped, and you also need to walk to them. The interior sites here are flat but closely packed, creating a cramped environment. I rated this campground one star for weekends and holidays, but it earns five stars on weekdays and in the shoulder seasons. I would absolutely return, but definitely not on weekends! If I want to hear screaming kids and barking dogs, I can just visit my grandkids. If you value a peaceful camping experience, choose your timing wisely!
GuideBut overall it worked for us. The sites have large hedges between them which is nice for privacy. It all felt a bit tired and could do with some TLC, but if we needed to stay in Palm Springs again this would work
Camping sites near Lucerne Valley, California offer a mix of desert and mountain environments with elevations ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 feet across the region. The area sits at the junction of the Mojave Desert and San Bernardino Mountains, creating diverse camping landscapes within a relatively short driving distance. Winter nights regularly drop below freezing while summer daytime temperatures often exceed 90°F, requiring campers to plan accordingly.
Bouldering and climbing: Sawtooth Canyon Campground attracts rock climbers with its unique formations. "This canyon is great for a couple of days of climbing. The area is unique from the Mojave topography. Plus, it is free to camp," shares Tommy B., highlighting the specialized appeal of this Sawtooth Canyon Campground.
Mountain biking: Trails near Pineknot Campground connect directly to Snow Summit resort trails. "Pineknot is perfectly situated in Big Bear where you're in the woods but only a short walk to Snow Summit. This allows you a staging area to ride mountain bikes all day at Snow Summit and around the mountain but allows you the convenience to be camped nearby," notes Berton M. at Pineknot.
Off-road exploring: The network of dirt roads throughout Holcomb Valley provides extensive off-highway vehicle opportunities. "This is a great campground with lots of OHV trails in the area. It's definitely recommended to have a vehicle with higher ground clearance since you're traversing some bumpy dirt trails to get there," explains Jo R., who visited Holcomb Valley Campground.
Day hiking: Multiple trail systems connect campgrounds to scenic viewpoints and lakes. "There are a lot of great sites surrounded by trees in the middle of the campground where we stayed. There are even a couple small hiking trails within the campground for some fun exploration," notes Troy L. who stayed at Dogwood Campground.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites with natural separation. "The sites are far apart, giving you more privacy. Both places have basic pit toilets and tables for eating," mentions a camper. At Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp, "each site was spread out and lots of space for 2-4 tents. The distance to downtown Big Bear is around 25 minutes," explains Manny D.
Night sky viewing: The area's minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "The night sky was incredible there. We got there on a Saturday and it was pretty busy, but everyone left after the weekend," reports Brendan at Sawtooth Canyon Campground, noting how the weekday experience differs from weekends.
Easy access to Big Bear: Many camping sites provide a wilderness experience with proximity to town amenities. "I love this campground! It's right across from the Discovery Center in Big Bear, which is where a couple fun hiking trails begin. I would definitely recommend this campground to others when staying in the Big Bear area," says Sarah C., who stayed at Serrano.
Shaded sites: The forested campgrounds provide relief from summer heat. "Campground feels very secluded and the sites are far apart," says Spencer U. about Hanna Flat Campground. "Hanna Flat campgrounds are filled with lots of shade due to the big beautiful trees," adds another camper.
Road conditions: Several campgrounds require driving on unpaved roads. "Road is completely inaccessible and saw many others turning around as well. I'm in a Kia SUV and this road is like Godzilla shaking your rig," warns Annie G. about Sawtooth Canyon. However, Scott D. offers a different perspective: "East access. 1.5 miles from pavement. Road is washboarded so keep your speed under 10mph and it's a fairly smooth 5 minute drive."
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "We camped here for the 4th, and the weather was great. Our site was large enough to fit a 24 foot trailer, truck, and a car," notes Jonathan G. at Barton Flats Family Campground, which typically operates May through October.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. At Sawtooth Canyon Campground, you must bring all your water as none is available on site. This contrasts with campgrounds like Barton Flats where "water is available. Flush toilets and showers available," according to Desiree M.
Bear safety measures: Proper food storage is essential. "Each site included a table, fire ring and bear safe locker," reports Manny D. about camping in the region. Another camper warns, "Please be sure to cover your ice chest, even in your vehicle, as the bears are all too familiar with them."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids often enjoy spotting local wildlife during quieter times. At San Gorgonio Campground, one visitor observed: "We say rattle snakes in our walk. Deer walking around the trails." However, this also means keeping a watchful eye on children.
Bike-friendly options: Several campgrounds feature paved roads ideal for children learning to ride. "Kiddos had a great time riding their bikes around the sites. Also, great trails nearby!" shares Krystal G. about Hanna Flat Campground, highlighting activities beyond hiking.
Campground amenities: Look for sites with clean facilities when camping with children. "Very clean and fun. Took my son and his girlfriend with us a great place for families," notes Amanda A. about Serrano Campground, which maintains well-kept restrooms and common areas.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly, requiring appropriate clothing and gear. "It was May but got cold enough at night but was absolutely perfect during the day," reports Stephanie M., emphasizing the temperature swings that can challenge unprepared families.
Site selection: Many campgrounds have limited spaces for larger vehicles. At Dogwood Campground, "our site was a single so it only fit one car. There is extra parking available for additional cars that we could have used, but if we had a trailer we wouldn't have fit," explains Troy L., highlighting the importance of researching site specifications.
Dump stations: Only select campgrounds offer sanitary dump facilities. "It was difficult to use the dump hookups as they're elevated about a foot off the ground so I had to lift the hose off my support snake many times," reports Mike R. about Holloway's Marina & RV Park, showing the varying quality of facilities.
Generator restrictions: Rules about generator use vary between campgrounds. "No generators from 8 pm to 8 am, a $3000 fine if your campfire is left unattended," warns Colette K. about regulations at Pineknot Campground, which strictly enforces quiet hours.
Leveling requirements: Many mountain sites require blocks for leveling. "The pad was a little off level. Had to block one side," notes Jesse C. about RV sites at Holloway's, pointing out a common issue in mountainous campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lucerne Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lucerne Valley, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 292 campgrounds and RV parks near Lucerne Valley, CA and 33 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lucerne Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lucerne Valley, CA is Serrano with a 4.6-star rating from 35 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lucerne Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 free dispersed camping spots near Lucerne Valley, CA.
What parks are near Lucerne Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Lucerne Valley, CA that allow camping, notably Mojave River Dam and San Bernardino National Forest.
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