Oak Glen sits within the transition zone between mountain forests and the desert, offering camping options from 5,000 to 11,000 feet in elevation. The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest provides numerous camping spots with pine and oak coverage, making it possible to camp year-round with proper preparation. Temperature swings can exceed 30°F between day and night, particularly at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking at San Gorgonio Campground: Access multiple trails including the scenic route to Jenks Lake, about 3 miles round trip. "The campground is within walking distance of Snow Summit. We walked over and took the ski lift up to the top and hiked around the loop. BEAUTIFUL!" shares Kate W. about Pineknot Campground.
Mountain biking from camp: Several campgrounds offer direct access to bike trails through forest roads. "Campground hosts are super sweet and they give you a rundown of the whole campground once you get there... Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake. The town is bike friendly," explains Trey T. about Serrano Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several camps provide good access to fishing spots within short driving distance. "You can catch trout, bass and small little blue Gil and crappie. Lots of places to hike and is very convenient," notes Jersey F. about Barton Flats Family Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at certain campgrounds. "Sites are evenly spaced, good privacy, clean bathrooms. Plenty of space to pitch my tent and hang my hammock," writes Cristen B. about San Gorgonio Campground.
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "Clean facilities and great staff! We will be back for sure! Oh and HUGE plus is that it's totally dog friendly!" Martha S. reports about Serrano, adding "the restrooms were clean but very busy at certain times as people use them as washrooms."
Free dispersed camping options: For those wanting to avoid fees and crowds. "Free, really clean, lots of space... right off of Jenks Lake Road East. There are a lot of spaces and larger rigs will do just fine within the first 1/4 mile," Mike M. explains about East Flats, a dispersed camping area.
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears are active in some camping areas around Oak Glen. "Don't leave ice chest out & please be sure to cover your ice chest, even in your vehicle, as the bears are all too familiar with them. My sister did not heed my warning, and we woke in the middle of the night to the local resident (a bear) tipping and subsequently going through her cooler," warns Jennifer D. about San Gorgonio Campground.
Vehicle requirements: Some camping areas require careful navigation. "The roads leading up are uneven roughly graded dirt and gravel so be prepared for that," advises Mark C. about dispersed camping sites.
Reservation needs: Busy season requires advance planning. "We loved camping here. Been twice so far are favorite place so peaceful and beautiful a lil bummed lakes were closed but still had a fun week," mentions Tanya about Yucaipa Regional Park, where reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming options: Some campgrounds offer water recreation for kids. "Great tent camping facilities, privacy from neighbors, access to Zanja Peak Trail head, 3 lakes for fishing, water park during the summer, and friendly helpful staff," mentions Bryan H. about Yucaipa Regional Park.
Consider family-friendly layouts: Some campgrounds are better designed for families with children. "When arriving at night, we felt like it would never end but don't worry it does! Wish we could have explored more," shares Nora S. about Thomas Hunting Grounds.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with appropriate facilities. "Kiddos had a great time riding their bikes around the sites. Also, great trails nearby!" reports Krystal G. about Hanna Flat Campground.
Tips for RVers
Size restrictions vary widely: Check length limits before booking. "The double sites are a must when going with a group of 10 people. This specific site is very spacious with double of the parking spots (4 cars total), 2 fire pits, and 2 benches," explains Chrystal M. about Heart Bar Campground.
Hookup availability: Many forest service campgrounds lack full hookups. "Large concrete pads that can handle any rig. So much to do all around a park. Does get very cold, was in the teens overnight when I was there in Feb," notes Paul C. about Yucaipa Regional Park.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. "A lot of spaces are unleveled but it's not a deal breaker for me. A cool spot but no sewage and WI-FI is kind of inconvenient," advises Troy A. about Lake Perris State Recreational Area.
