Best Tent Camping near Perris, CA
Tent campsites in the San Bernardino Mountains and surrounding areas near Perris, California range from established campgrounds to primitive yellow post sites. Yucaipa Regional Park offers tent camping in group sites with amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings, while more remote options include Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites and Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites in the national forest, where campers can find more seclusion.
Most walk-in tent sites require minimal hiking from parking areas, though China Camp State Park provides wheeled totes to help transport gear to campsites. Surface conditions vary significantly, with some sites featuring cleared, level ground and others requiring campers to find suitable spots among rocks and trees. Fire restrictions are common, especially during summer months, and campers should verify current regulations before arrival. One camper noted, "These yellow post sites are essentially boondocking in the forest off dirt fire service roads. The best part is that you don't need reservations and they're free." Many primitive tent campgrounds lack amenities like running water, so visitors must pack in all supplies and pack out all trash.
Areas farther from developed campgrounds offer deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking quiet experiences. The yellow post sites at Keller Peak are spread across five miles, providing significant distance between neighbors and privacy among rock formations and pine trees. A visitor commented that "there are only 9 sites stretched across 5 miles so you will have no neighbors." Walk-in tent locations at China Camp State Park provide a peaceful setting under oak and bay trees, with opportunities to observe wildlife including coyotes and raccoons. Higher elevation tent sites experience colder temperatures year-round, with some campers reporting snow overnight even in May. Many tent campgrounds serve as convenient basebases for hiking, with trail access directly from or near camping areas.