Campgrounds in Lytle Creek, California range from developed sites with amenities to more primitive options within San Bernardino National Forest. Bonita Ranch Campground provides full hookups for RVs along with tent sites and cabin accommodations, situated near Lytle Creek with access to local hiking trails. Applewhite Campground offers a more rustic experience with fewer amenities but maintains flush toilets and trash service. The area attracts visitors seeking mountain views, creek access, and proximity to trails like the path to Bonita Falls, all within a relatively short drive from urban Southern California.
Access to Lytle Creek campgrounds varies seasonally, with some facilities maintaining year-round operations while others have limited availability during winter months. The narrow mountain roads leading to campgrounds like Applewhite include hairpin turns that can present challenges for larger RVs and trailers. Most established campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during peak summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Visitors should note that fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and facilities may have specific regulations regarding fire pits. A camper familiar with Applewhite noted, "The camping sites are spread out. The access road is very narrow. We did it with a 22 foot fifth wheel. Space 41 could hold a much longer rig but it would be a challenge even getting to that space."
Several visitors highlight the creek access as a primary draw for camping in this area. The proximity to Lytle Creek provides opportunities for wading and cooling off during hot summer days, though the water levels can vary seasonally. Bonita Falls, accessible via a short hike from nearby campgrounds, receives frequent mentions in visitor reviews despite concerns about graffiti in the area. Campgrounds closer to the creek tend to be more popular and can become crowded during peak seasons. One review mentioned, "You're literally a box throw away from the creek if you're not really big on hiking but enjoy the scenery." Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds and by season, with some visitors reporting rowdy weekend crowds at certain locations while others describe peaceful experiences in the same areas during weekdays or off-season periods.
$45 - $350 / night
"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!""
"ATV with ice cream and firewood comes around right before dark. Campsites are a bit crowded for my liking. Access to the Silverwood Lake recreation area is a great benefit."
$40 - $81 / night
"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."
$35 - $45 / night
"Good place to see, close to the Lytle creek and great hiking to reach the Bonita Falls"
"A little gem hiding out in Lytle Creek! Easy access to a pretty trail right behind the campground. Very quiet and interspersed with long time stayers and temporary campers."
$30 - $500 / night
"If you have a chance after - drive the whole Angeles crest highway! Worth the trouble. You are also located close to the PCT, take a hike!"
"We got a campsite that was on the outside of the loop. We were in Cherokee loop in campsite #87."
$20 / night
"Close by Hobit trails clear and inviting trails .rivers and in the winter snow....lots of campsites.... seen deer..rabbits and a multitude of squirrels. ..."
"Top of mt Baldy road.. almost as far as you can drive. Not many sites, about 20. One giant loop. No reservations needed."
$76 - $88 / night
"Our experience at Bonelli Bluffs Campground was mostly positive, but there were a couple of aspects that could be improved."
"The views around the outskirts of B loop are just lovely, the staff has been so friendly and helpful (we’re RV newbies and had a ton of questions) the store was stocked with all of the little things we"
$15 - $20 / night
"I had a positive impression of this small campground, located just 5-7 miles away from the 215 highway, amidst natural surroundings."
"The fresh stream is just a short distance away, just a few steps away and you can immerse yourself in nature right across the road."
$150 - $375 / night
"they have several different kinds of cabins Little ones and then really big ones just suit your family size they have full hookups you can also purchase cable TV if you wish you can park right on the lake"
"We’ve done Crystal Lake probably 6 dozen times or more in our time in California and it never disappoints on the spectacular views."
"Whenever I need to get away from LALA Land, I head up here. I grew up in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, so , sometimes , I need to kick back and recharge."
"We left LA (Hollywood) on a Friday afternoon around 3, and were setting up camp by 5! Luckily a friend got to the campground before us though, as he snagged the last of the 20 or so sites there."
"Coldbrooke is a excellent campground that is relatively close to the city. The camp host was super helpful in explaining the fire restrictions and overall questions."
TravelerI went with my family for my birthday. My daughters loved the campground. Easy walk to the lake. My wife enjoy the luxury of having a nearby bathroom/ shower with warm water. It’s a good choice for families
RangerThe Views are fantastic sites are rugged but very cool locations, This is mainly a Hike in CG most of the time and better have some serious clearance to get there even when the road is open in summer, BUT very worth it!
GuideAwesome area great service good vibes but I will say that there are to many city people who come to drink and not follow the rules of the campground
TravelerThis is my first time solo camping and this was a great starter! It’s really quiet all day long and every where you look is absolutely beautiful. I drove up here in my Honda civic and I saw some truck but this is a super narrow road and my car barely fit.-.
During cold times you might need to be ready to shovel the road. There’s not enough snow for chains but I saw a Jeep wrangler in front of me get stuck.
Dog friendly as well, there’s a lot of open space.
There’s my rant
TravelerPlenty of space you don’t need to be near people. The mountain. The night sky. Everything was superb. The only sad thing was to see some trash here and there. So if you come here please make sure you pick up after yourself; try to leave places better than you found them.
ScoutThisThis RV Park is downright dangerous to camp at and is an absolute trash dump. The electrical supplies are not safe to plug into they have reverse polarity and if you plug into them it's going to blow all your appliances your air conditioner and all your Outlets. We sustained thousands of dollars worth of damage to our RV before an electrician told us what the problem was reverse polarity is when the wiring is incorrect and it can cause dangerous surges that can destroy your unit. There are stray animals running around the park everywhere there are old broken down RVs old broken down cars it's full of drug addicts the shower facilities are disgusting this place is nothing like the website you cannot afford to stay here for even one night.
ScoutSome nights very windy, but it’s extremely beautiful out here. It’s a great time.
GuideBeautiful, quiet site with plenty of space but it is VERY windy with trash flying everywhere. It also seems to function as an illegal dumping site for couches, appliances …
Practice shooters at night and early am nearby are also not the most reassuring and the main reason for our decision to skip staying over the weekend.
GuideStayed here for one night tent camping. No one in sight in the tent section. Good spot with showers and restrooms. The pool and spa were open.
Lytle Creek camping offers accessible outdoor recreation within San Bernardino National Forest at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 feet. Temperatures vary seasonally, with summer highs reaching the 90s and winter bringing occasional snow at higher elevations. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, with varying levels of accessibility during winter months when the narrow mountain roads can become hazardous.
Hiking trails access: Multiple campgrounds connect to trail networks with varying difficulty levels. At Dogwood Campground, "there are a couple small hiking trails within the campground for some fun exploration," according to Troy L. The Enchanted Loop nature trail provides "great views" and is accessible from the back of the campground.
Waterfall exploration: The Bonita Falls trail is a popular destination for campers. From Bonita Ranch Campground, visitors find "easy access to a pretty trail right behind the campground" that leads toward the waterfall, as Heather L. notes. Julian M. confirms this is "great hiking to reach the Bonita Falls."
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access, though options vary by season. Silverwood Lake Recreation Area stocks its lakes weekly during peak seasons. "The lakes are stocked on Thursday and there's no fishing on that day," explains Sara H. about Mountain Lakes Resort, which maintains "one catfish lake and then a trout lake."
Creek proximity: Multiple campers value the accessibility of Lytle Creek itself from nearby campgrounds. Sara H. explains that at Bonita Ranch "you're literally a box throw away from the creek if you're not really big on hiking but enjoy the scenery." Jonathan G. adds, "The creek running behind the camp is great to explore, and a waterfall is a short hike away."
Relative seclusion: Despite proximity to urban areas, several campgrounds offer surprisingly private sites. Jeremiah F. notes that at Table Mountain Campground, "all the sites are large and well spaced from others, most are shaded as well." Amy B. adds that it's "super quiet and lovely. Great views from all over the campground."
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds organize regular community events. Sara H. describes Mountain Lakes Resort: "They have bingo every Friday and Saturday, there's always some kind of a theme like this time it's a Hawaii theme they have some performances and stuff happening and some arts and crafts."
Road challenges: Access to many Lytle Creek campgrounds involves navigating narrow mountain roads. Wayne S. warns about Applewhite Campground: "The road getting to the campgrounds is somewhat narrow and has some hairpin turns so it might be difficult for someone with a long trailer." Similar concerns apply to most area campgrounds.
Seasonal crowds: Campgrounds near water sources experience significant population fluctuations. Jessica B. notes that Applewhite "is nice for a getaway close to civilization and is relatively quiet in the off season. In the warmer months it can fill up fast on weekends and be a bit on the noisy and dirty side."
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary by season and conditions. Forest G. reports that at Coldbrook Campground, "we camped during a no fire period so no campfires or outdoor propane gas stove fires." Always check current fire restrictions before arriving.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to see local wildlife. Forest G. reports that at Crystal Lake Recreation Area they observed: "Black bear, deer (wandered through our site), red foxes, Stellar's Jays, woodpeckers, other birds." Camping with children requires proper food storage in provided bear boxes.
Quieter weekday visits: For families seeking peaceful experiences, timing matters significantly. Elly A. advises about Mesa Campground: "I've stayed here twice, the first time all the sites were booked the second time it was pretty empty. If you're camping for peace and quiet, this may not be what you want."
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer facilities specifically designed for children. Regarding Mountain Lakes Resort, Sara H. notes "there's tons of things for kids to do as well as the kid pool and they have a really awesome water park."
Site selection strategy: RV campers should research specific site dimensions before booking. Wayne S. advises: "Space 41 [at Applewhite] could hold a much longer rig but it would be a challenge even getting to that space." Call ahead to confirm site suitability for your specific vehicle length.
Utility considerations: Available hookups vary significantly between campgrounds. Shuree F. notes about Dogwood Campground: "I used an electric site which is integrated with tent and nonelectric sites. There are many areas with water stations to fill up your containers." Always verify which utilities are accessible at your specific site.
Leveling challenges: Terrain at many Lytle Creek area campgrounds requires proper leveling equipment. Alejandro Z. notes that at Table Mountain Campground, "The ground is a little slanted in most of the sites but not enough that it's not tolerable." Bring leveling blocks or jacks as appropriate for your rig.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lytle Creek camping located in the Cajon Pass Recreation Area?
Lytle Creek camping is nestled in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, approximately 16 miles north of San Bernardino in Southern California. The area is easily accessible from Interstate 15 through the Cajon Pass. Bonita Ranch Campground is a popular campground in Lytle Creek, located near the entrance to the recreation area. It offers easy access to Lytle Creek itself and serves as a gateway to the surrounding wilderness areas, including trails that lead to scenic attractions like Bonita Falls.
What recreational activities are available at Lytle Creek?
Lytle Creek offers abundant recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking is particularly popular, with trails leading to destinations like Bonita Falls. Swimming and wading in the creek are refreshing activities during warmer months. The area also provides excellent fishing spots, mountain biking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Little Jimmy Trail Campground in the nearby Angeles National Forest connects to various hiking trails, including portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. Heart Bar Campground in the region offers additional recreational options with beautiful sunset views and access to mountain trails for day hikes or backpacking adventures.
Do I need reservations for Lytle Creek campgrounds?
Yes, reservations are generally recommended for Lytle Creek campgrounds, especially during peak seasons (spring and summer) and holidays. Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest and other nearby campgrounds operate on reservation systems. Some smaller sites in the area may offer first-come, first-served options, but availability is limited. For wilderness camping or dispersed sites, permits may be required. It's advisable to book at least 2-3 weeks in advance during popular times, and bring cash for campsite fees or firewood purchases if you're making last-minute arrangements.
Is RV camping allowed at Lytle Creek?
Yes, RV camping is allowed at Lytle Creek, though amenities and accessibility vary by campground. Bonelli Bluffs in the greater San Bernardino area accommodates RVs with hookup options and is family-friendly. Several campgrounds in Lytle Creek can accommodate smaller to medium-sized RVs, though some mountain roads may be challenging for larger rigs. Most developed campgrounds offer basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, with varying levels of hookups. Some sites are better suited for self-contained units. Be sure to check specific campground restrictions regarding RV length limitations and available facilities before planning your trip.
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