The San Bernardino Mountains surround Oak Glen, giving campers several nearby spots to choose from. San Gorgonio Wilderness works well for backcountry camping trips, though its trails can be tough to hike. Many people head to Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park because of its interesting rock formations that climbers enjoy. If you want fewer neighbors, Hidden Valley Campground might be better while still giving good climbing access. Watch out for wildlife like coyotes and deer - you'll need to store food properly. Check if fires are allowed before you go, as bans happen often in this area. You should book ahead at the busier campgrounds, particularly on weekends and holidays. The basics are available at most sites, but don't count on having water or power everywhere. Some camping areas need vehicles with good clearance to reach them. Rain can make the dirt roads pretty muddy and difficult. You can camp here most of the year, though weather changes quickly in the mountains. Most people find spring and fall most comfortable for camping here - not too hot or cold with generally clear weather. Oak Glen has camping that works for both adventure-seekers and people who just want to relax outdoors.
"Tons of hiking trails and within 30 min drive of major shopping/grocery stores. Big Bear is about an hour away with and awesome drive up the mountain."
"Close to the city but far enough away from the lights. There is a ton of stuff to do here. Fishing, kayaking, hiking, water slides, disc golf, bike trails. The RV spots are beyond huge!"
$44 - $91 / night
"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."
$34 - $69 / night
"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."
$36 - $73 / night
"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. "
$25 - $300 / night
"Already been here twice once in 01/25 and 11/25 great campsite some have access to running water facet if not there are some that are close by, have also close by trash bins, has a little shop near by"
"It is right next to the lake which has a swimming area, bike path, climbing area, Hiking trails, along with a camp store which has boat rentals and much more! "
$29 - $58 / night
"The first thing to mention is the location. The back of the campground faces west where the rolling mountains seem to part in a way that showcases the beautiful California sunset."
"second reason; there are many many sites to choose from. this camp ground has several loops that each contain roughly 20 campsites, sometimes more. on any given day you should be able to drive up, though"
"Most of the sites have incredible views looking out over Lake Hemet and of the San Jacinto mountains."
"Fun off-road adventure to get to the site. Minimal sites so not much crowding."
$33 - $67 / night
"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."
$34 - $36 / night
"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."
"Bathrooms were clean considering there is only one location for bathrooms. Not much space for tents but lots of sites if you have a trailer or motor home."
GuideBeautiful scenic camping in the boulders! Most sites suitable for tents. Larger vehicles will likely require leveling blocks. We made our 24' RV close to level with 40 blocks. Many clean pit toilets around camp ground. Nice 1/2 mile walk at upper end of camp ground. Quiet night. Would stay again.
GuideRelatively secluded but I have neighbors. Close to town. Looks like the road may get kinda messy with rain. ☔️
GuideCheckin was easy and friendly. Sites were huge. As all parks are in AZ and Palm Springs, it’s all sand and gravel. Not a sprig of grass which makes it difficult to get dogs to pee and it tracks in SO BAD! ALSO not the parks fault but 2 small trailers pulled in next to us around 10 pm and had lots of people and lots of kids. It was noisy and they were using what sounded like power tools for some reason. They were clearly together as doors faced one another. If they had been longer it wouldn’t have been an issue but when you stepped out of our MH there they were up close and personal. We had absolutely no privacy as everyone one faced our camper. It was just I’ve big happy family. NOT!
GuideThis is a big area right off the 15 with plenty of space to have a good time. We pulled in at night and passed a few other people camping, but there are so many little roads/trails around we had no problem finding a spot. We woke up on a Saturday morning to people shooting around 7am. It seems like the classic dispersed spot with scattered trash and broken glass from shooting practice, but with the spring flowers it was very beautiful and really quiet at night :) it worked great for what we needed, a spot to break up our long drive.
ScoutI went there with my daughter her husband and our dogs.We camped for the weekend and had a great time !!
ScoutThe site is a good price for 55+ and is reasonable. Nice year-round people as well.
TravelerThis was my first time camping at this site. The front office is very polite and the site is very clean with a lot to do. Everything is within a good radius.
There is a lot of animal activity you will hear theoack of coyotes and right before sunset. The Owls come out and boy are they large. Me and my son had a great time and would definitely come.back to this place. They have a fire pit with a cooking grill attached to it. But you can bring your own.
RangerThe sites are very close together. The part that is farthest from the entrance has nice panoramic views into the valley. The roads are in very rough shape
ScoutThe sites are roomy and the whole campground is very family friendly. We stayed in the premium hook up sites. Staff was super awesome and they offer a winter discount!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find campgrounds in Oak Glen?
While Oak Glen itself is known more for apple orchards than camping, you'll find excellent campgrounds in the surrounding San Bernardino Mountains. Heart Bar Campground offers a secluded experience with beautiful mountain views and sunset vistas about 45 minutes from Oak Glen. For those seeking RV accommodations, Yucaipa Regional Park is one of the closest options to Oak Glen, providing full hookups and easy access. Other nearby options include Green Valley Lake, Applewhite Campground, and various sites throughout San Bernardino National Forest, all within a 30-60 minute drive from Oak Glen.
What amenities are available at Oak Glen campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Oak Glen offer varied amenities to suit different camping styles. Bonelli Bluffs provides family-friendly accommodations but lacks playground facilities. For those seeking full resort amenities, Pechanga RV Resort offers impressive facilities including access to a pool, golf course, restaurants, and is within walking distance to a casino. Many campgrounds in the region typically provide fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Water availability varies by location, with some offering potable water and others requiring you to bring your own. Cell service is generally available at developed campgrounds but may be limited at more remote sites.
When is the best season for camping in Oak Glen?
Late spring through early fall (May-October) offers the most pleasant camping weather near Oak Glen. San Bernardino National Forest Green Valley Campground is ideal during summer months when temperatures are comfortable at higher elevations. Serrano can be enjoyed in multiple seasons, though winter brings cold temperatures and possible snow. Fall is particularly magical when Oak Glen's apple orchards are in harvest season, providing a unique camping experience with opportunities for apple picking and enjoying the fall colors. Summer weekends get crowded, so mid-week visits are recommended for more solitude. Always check weather forecasts as winter storms can bring freezing temperatures to the area.
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