Cabin accommodations near Mojave River Dam offer high desert camping at elevations between 2,600-4,200 feet. These rentals provide shelter in an area where temperatures often drop below 40°F at night, even during summer months. Weather patterns in this region feature strong seasonal winds and occasional flash flooding during monsoon season.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Crystal Lake Recreation Area provides access to numerous trails that wind through the San Bernardino National Forest. The campground sits at higher elevation providing cooler temperatures. "There is a lovely hiking trail at the far end of the site. There is water, flush toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables," shares Summer A., who spotted diverse wildlife during her stay.
Visit local hot springs: Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp Retreat offers a unique soaking experience after a challenging hike. "The deep creek hot springs were absolutely fabulous, as they were situated next to a cold creek where we could do therapeutic hot cold plunges. The hike to the hot springs was fairly tough, but we found it easily with the trail starting right on the property," reports Jessica B.
Fishing opportunities: North Shore Campground at Lake Almanor provides access to fishing spots. "The fishing was awesome, but I suggest fishing in the mornings before the afternoon winds come in as the weather cools down," advises Ed E., who brought his kayaks along for water adventures.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Bonita Ranch Campground receives praise for its layout. "Spaces aren't too close together either. The creek running behind the camp is great to explore, and a waterfall is a short hike away," notes Jonathan G. Many guests appreciate the balance of seclusion while still having amenities.
Friendly staff interactions: Campers consistently mention positive experiences with park hosts. "The park ranger named Shawn...tried to help us not spend money unnecessarily on wood and lent us his ax to go collect nearby. Super chill, down to earth guy who was just generally a lover of nature," writes Janae P. about her North Shore Campground experience.
Reliable seasonal operation: Most cabin rentals maintain extended operating seasons. "We stayed here on Friday, July 21 2017. We arrived around 4:30 pm (driving from LA it was about 2 hours with traffic), and there were lots of sites still available," shares Forest G. about Crystal Lake Recreation Area, which typically operates from late April through December.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Advanced booking is essential for cabin rentals. "The reservation process is confusing, having to book our spot on recreation.gov, but worth the efforts and $34 to reserve a one night stay," explains Giovanni H. about his North Shore Campground experience.
Site variations: Cabin quality and amenities differ significantly between properties. "Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location," with different levels of kitchen facilities and bed setups.
Weather preparedness: Mojave River Forks Regional Park experiences extreme temperature swings. "Nice place to camp, weather is around 75 during the day and about 50 to 36 degrees cold through out the night," notes Martin O. Visitors should pack accordingly for dramatic day-to-night changes.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible recreation: Rancho Jurupa Park offers numerous family activities within walking distance. "Beautiful views all around Sunrise, Sunset and Night sky. Sights of all kinds of birds like hawks and herons. Water park and mini golf for kids," recommends Xochiquetzal G.
Kid-friendly cabin options: When seeking family-suitable cabin rentals, look for those with dedicated play spaces. "The campground also has a great store there. It has all the camping necessities. If you are into hiking and biking, this campground has the accommodations for that activity. It also has a kid's park. They also have cabins if you do not want to use a tent or RV," explains Ed E.
Safety considerations: Mountain Lakes Resort enforces rules to maintain family-friendly atmosphere. "This place is awesome friendly there's always activities to get involved in they have bingo every Friday and Saturday there's always some kind of a theme," explains Sara H., who appreciates the structured environment for children.
Tips from RVers
Cabin alternatives: RVers often use cabins when traditional hookup sites are unavailable. "We used to use her parents fifth wheel or use a cabin but recently purchased our own travel trailer. Now we come up here with our kids and I can't say enough about how family friendly it is," shares Harout K. about Mountain Lakes Resort.
Site selection strategy: When booking cabin accommodations, research specific sites. "We totally lucked out and were able to switch with a couple who wanted more privacy and shade. We eventually stayed on site 4 which was even and open," says Janae P., recommending sites 4, 5, and 6 at North Shore Campground for their level ground and proximity to facilities.
Pet policies: Different cabin rental locations have varying pet restrictions. Lone Wolf Colony specifically "permits 2 pets per RV" according to Sara H., while other cabin rentals might have more flexible arrangements for animal companions.
