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Tent Camping near Mojave River Dam, CA
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Several tent-only campgrounds in the mountains and high desert dot the landscape surrounding Mojave River Dam, California. Nearby options include Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground with walk-in tent sites, and the more primitive Yellow Post sites at Keller Peak, both offering distinctly different tent camping experiences within San Bernardino National Forest. These established tent campgrounds provide alternatives to dispersed backcountry camping for those seeking more structured tent sites while still maintaining a wilderness feel.
Sites may be set on dirt, gravel, or forest duff with minimal grading across most tent campgrounds in the area. Deep Creek provides basic amenities including showers and toilets for a $10 nightly fee, while Yellow Post sites like those at Keller Peak offer more primitive tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables but no water or facilities. Most tent campgrounds in this region have seasonal fire restrictions that vary based on conditions. Access to some sites requires high-clearance vehicles, particularly at dispersed camping areas like Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp and Mill Creek, where no facilities exist but tent camping is free.
Areas farther from the main roads offer deeper seclusion and reduced noise for backcountry tent campers. The Yellow Post campsites at Keller Peak provide good separation between sites, with one visitor noting they are "well spaced out" and offer "spectacular views and true solitude." Many tent campers use these areas as bases for exploring nearby hiking trails, including paths to Deep Creek Hot Springs. The tent campsites at higher elevations like Big Pine Flat provide cooler temperatures during summer months but may experience early snow in fall and late melt-off in spring. For dedicated tent campers seeking more challenging access, Fisherman's Group Campground offers walk-in only sites that one camper described as "only accessible via hiking" with "plenty of room for a dozen or more and easy stream access."
Best Tent Campgrounds near Mojave River Dam (61)
1. Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground
"Easy access to the hot springs and no services to speak of. Basically a patch of dirt you can occupy for $10 a night. Loved it."
"Super fun place to visit with the hot springs trail. Went in January with snowfall, hardly any campers and nature all around! Two nights are perfect."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $119 / night
2. Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
"After years of venturing into and around Lake Arrowhead (often a mere stop on my way to Big Bear/Fawnskin) I finally started exploring off the beaten path by accident last year and holy cow!"
"Green valley lake campground is an awesome place for a fun getaway. We wanted to get away for the Fourth of July but waited too long to book in Big Bear."
3. Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites
"This campground is free with 9 camp site on a 5 mile paved road, the site's have fire ring and picnic benches, no water. Bike trail is fun and a challenge. Camp site 1,3 & 6 are very quiet."
"Some chairs, hammock, water, and utensils were left at the picnic table. Everything was dirty so we assumed they were left by previous campers."
4. Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites
"These sites aren't monitored and don't have picnic tables or any amenities, although there is a restroom down the road a little ways where the campsites start, but that's it."
"This particular site has 8 campsites which do have signs to mark the general area, although it is entirely up to you to where to set up camp in the general area."
5. Fishermans Group Campground
"I was backpacking along the Pacific Crest Trail & decided to hike down the Crab Flats Trail to checkout Tent Peg & Fisherman's Campground."
"Be sure to call visitor center for driving directions (or follow the ones on USDA National Forest website) as Google will take you to the wrong spot. Good hike for first-time backpackers."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 / night
6. Mill Creek Dispersed Camping
"First come first served dispersed camping just outside Big Bear. Near bike trails. Was not crowded mid week, but spots were filling up closer to the weekend."
"I went a to the second fork after the Bluff lake fork. There’s a private campground near the Bluff Lake entrance which made noises i can hear from my site which was before Bluffs lake fork."
7. Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp
"There are no developed facilities (i.e., no firepits, outhouses, etc.) but it is beautiful and there are plenty of flat places to set up a tent."
"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."
8. Manker Campground
"Although the restroom are very dirty but overall it was a great stay!"
"Tucked away at the top of a precarious winding mountain road. It is very basic, simple and beautiful."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
9. Big Pine Flat Campground
"Big Pines Flats is set right next to a meadow at a forest crossing heading to Holcomb Valley, Victorville, Fawnskin, and Green Valley Lake."
10. Yellow Post Number 9
"It’s up around 7500ft approximately four miles from Running Springs. I spent three days here and absolutely loved this spot."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 27 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 8 min from Oxnard, CA
- 2 hrs 11 min from San Diego, CA
- 2 hrs 27 min from Bakersfield, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Mojave River Dam
67 Photos of 61 Mojave River Dam Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground
Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites
Big Pine Flat Campground
Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites
Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8
Holcomb Valley Climbers Camps
Limber Pine Bench Campground
Yucaipa Regional ParkA
Manker Campground
Halfway Camp
Dry Lake Backpacking Campground
Tent Camping Reviews near Mojave River Dam
1273 Reviews of 61 Mojave River Dam Campgrounds
- T
Tanya T.ScoutMountain Lakes Resort - Membership Campground
OCTOBER 2026
Site is clean, many activities on weekends They also add 1000lb or catfish and trout weekly depending on season. Members were friendly. Downside is wifi when the campsite is 75+ full and only about a dozen paved spots. Major are gravel and dirt.
Aaron S.
RangerRound Valley Campsite — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Gooseberry Site, Alpine Wilderness & A Critical Backcountry Safety Wake-Up
Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for a true alpine backcountry adventure right in Southern California, backpacking into Round Valley Primitive Campsites inside the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness is an incredible experience. By pairing the world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with a weekend wilderness trek, you can leave the scorching low desert and step into sub-alpine granite peaks within minutes. Our crew recently packed our gear, caught the tram, and set up basecamp at the Gooseberry site for a Friday-to-Saturday summit push of Mount San Jacinto.
The scenery and wilderness delivered on every level—but the trip also served as a stark reminder that high-altitude nature commands respect.
The Route & Camp Setup (Gooseberry Site)
Taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway bypasses thousands of vertical feet of grueling desert switchbacks, depositing you at Mountain Station:
- The Trek into Round Valley: From the tram station, it is a scenic~2.5-mile backpack into Round Valley, which sits at an elevation of roughly 9,100 feet.
- The Gooseberry Campsite: Gooseberry is a fantastic primitive backcountry site. Tucked among the lodgepole pines and granite boulders, it offers great shelter, peace, and that genuine wilderness seclusion you crave.
- The Summit Push: We spent Friday night acclimating and resting at basecamp. Early Saturday morning, we pushed for the summit of Mount San Jacinto Peak(10,834 feet). After taking in the panoramic views stretching from the Pacific to the Salton Sea, we descended back to Round Valley, packed up camp, and made the return trek to the tram for the ride down.
The October Shoulder Season: Nature Changes in Minutes
We chose to hike late in the season during October, and anyone heading up during shoulder months needs to understand high-elevation weather:
- T****he Forecast Mirage: On the morning of our summit push, the official forecast predicted clear, sunny skies by noon.
- The High-Alpine Reality: Noon rolled around, and the weather did the exact opposite—we were hit with biting snow flurries and temperatures plunging straight into the 20s.
- Within just two hours, a crisp autumn morning morphed into full-blown freezing winter conditions.
A Serious Backcountry Advisory: 50 Years on the Trail Speaks
As someone with over 50 years of hiking and backpacking experience spanning every corner of the American West, what we witnessed on the trail between Round Valley and the peak was alarming.
We encountered dozens of hikers completely unprepared for foul weather:
- The Outfit: People trekking toward a 10,834-foot alpine peak in short shorts, cotton t-shirts, light sneakers, and carrying little more than a tiny hydration bladder with a couple of snack bars. No insulation, no wind protection, no emergency gear.
- Missing Essentials: Not a single one of the Ten Essentials in sight.
- The Dangerous Mindset: Yes, 99% of the time, casual hikers get lucky and escape without incident. But cell service, 911, and volunteer Search& Rescue teams are not your personal safety net—preparedness and basic common sense are.
- The Golden Rule: Any hiker stepping foot into this wilderness must carry the gear to survive an unexpected night out in freezing conditions. An ankle sprain, altitude sickness, or a sudden squall can turn a fun day hike into hypothermia, acute suffering, or worse. Don't be that guy or gal.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Mount San Jacinto Wilderness and Round Valley’s Gooseberry site delivered everything an outdoor enthusiast could want: pristine trails, incredible pine-scented air, and raw wilderness beauty. Just never forget that nature can bite hard if you let your guard down. Pack your layers, bring your essentials, respect the mountain, and you will have an unforgettable journey.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
- SSonali U.
TravelerCaravan Mobile Home Park
If it’s there, I missed it.
I went there to see, before making a reservation. I found the trailer park—maybe 100 old mobile homes—but I never found an RV park. I didn’t see anything to see. The “pool” was empty. The office was locked, and it wasn’t lunch. Just kinda not happening. I left a message to call me with the answering service, but I never got a call back.
- jjulie G.Scout
Stoddard Valley OHV Area - North
OHV area in desert
Nice and FREE area , easy to access
Robyn C.TravelerStone Creek Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Nice stay
Had a nice stay here twice so far this year. Nice place. Quiet and clean.
- AAaron S.Traveler
Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8
Dope spot
Very windy and need high clearance vehicles
- AAaron S.Traveler
Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8
Pretty spot very windy
You definitely need high clearance vehicles or you will not make it here
Dick T.
GuideMarion Mountain
Laid-Back campground
This is my go-to campground. I live in the San Diego area. It's designed for your season camper that prefers tranquility over business. It's not recommended during the weekend.
Guide to Mojave River Dam
Tent camping in the high desert around Mojave River Dam ranges from 3,000 to 8,000 feet elevation, creating dramatic temperature swings between day and night. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer daytime highs regularly exceed 90°F. Many sites require high-clearance vehicles for access, especially after winter storms when forest service roads develop deep ruts.
What to do
Fishing at mountain lakes: Green Valley Lake offers fishing opportunities about 7 miles from some camping areas. "The lake is very clean and has a lot of fish. It is privately owned so you do pay to fish or swim, and you pay per person," notes one camper at Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area.
Hiking to fire lookouts: Several trails lead to active fire lookout stations. "The Keller Peak Lookout was amazing. I thought it was just a tourist attraction but it's really a staffed (with volunteers) active fire lookout. Worth the trip for sure," shares a camper at Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites.
Hot springs soaking: Natural hot springs provide year-round bathing opportunities. One visitor at Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground reports, "I had never been before, but I had a few friends bring me and it was the most amazing time! The hike down is super chill and the hot springs at the end are so worth the hike back up after!!!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Dispersed camping areas offer separation not found at developed campgrounds. At Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites, a visitor noted, "I almost want to give this a 1 star review, just to keep it to myself a little longer. We loved this yellow post site, by far one of my favorites. Private but with cell service, tables and fire pits!"
Temperature advantages: Higher elevation sites provide cooler summer camping. "We went in January with snowfall, hardly any campers and nature all around! Two nights are perfect," reports one winter camper at Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer animal watching opportunities. A camper at Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "The camp sites are good. You are within a mile from the lake and little town there. Good lake for fishing. Trails near the sites. There are some great views as you hike up the mountain."
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary significantly: Fire regulations change seasonally and by location. A Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites visitor warns: "They have had issues with drug use and parties so that's why they are strict. Almost every site is secluded so there is privacy beside the occasional car driving by."
Road conditions can be challenging: Many sites require appropriate vehicles. A camper at Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp noted, "The road up to the camp area is a bit rough. We were in a Sprinter and definitely nervous for parts."
Limited facilities at most sites: Most dispersed camping areas lack services. "Easy access to the hot springs and no services to speak of. Basically a patch of dirt you can occupy for $10 a night," explains a visitor to Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Consider established campgrounds with amenities: Facilities make family camping easier. A visitor to Yucaipa Regional Park shared, "This is your typical regional park Campground. There's a lot to do here, including fishing, playgrounds, and even a waterpark in the summer."
Look for flat tent areas: Some sites offer better terrain for setting up family tents. "We stayed in group campsite A. Tent camping is only allowed in group sites. The tent camping sites come with plenty of space for group camping," notes a Yucaipa Regional Park camper.
Check for nearby activities: Family-friendly options exist near some sites. "The community park right next-door where you can go and play baseball, basketball, sand volleyball, or frisbee," reports a Yucaipa Regional Park visitor about additional recreation options.
Tips from RVers
High clearance vehicles recommended: Many forest roads require appropriate vehicles. A camper at Mill Creek Dispersed Camping advised, "Smaller rigs, medium clearance and lite off-road capabilities recommended. Good cellular reception in my particular location."
Find pull-in sites: Look for established parking areas large enough for your vehicle. "There are over a dozen sites along the main road. If you can pull in, it's a site. Some better than others and spaced out so you may not see your neighbors from your site," shares a Mill Creek Dispersed Camping visitor.
Consider dust from roads: Site placement affects comfort. "The closer you are to the road the more dust will get in your site from the vehicles passing," warns a Mill Creek Dispersed Camping visitor about site selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Mojave River Dam?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mojave River Dam?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mojave River Dam is Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Mojave River Dam?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mojave River Dam?
TheDyrt.com has all 61 tent camping locations near Mojave River Dam, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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