Campsites near Phelan, California range from high-desert locations to alpine settings, with elevations varying from 3,000 to over 7,000 feet. The region's temperature swings can be dramatic, with summer days often reaching the 90s while dropping into the 50s at night at higher elevations. The San Bernardino Mountains create distinct camping microclimates, with forested areas providing natural shade and wind protection compared to more exposed desert locations.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Bonita Ranch Campground, trails lead to nearby waterfalls through accessible terrain. One camper noted, "The creek running behind the camp is great to explore, and a waterfall is a short hike away. We also lucked out finding berries in August."
Disc golf: Mojave Narrows Regional Park offers disc golf courses as part of their recreational options. A visitor mentioned, "There are a lot of sites here for camping unfortunately they are not all open for use. There are several hiking trails here that are well used and well maintained."
Star observation: Higher elevation campgrounds provide exceptional night sky viewing. At Table Mountain Campground, a camper shared, "This is a great campground peacful nice place to see the Stars! Very clean."
Mountain biking: Several trails around Crystal Lake Recreation Area accommodate various skill levels. According to one visitor, "We brought our bikes but there was not a whole lot of area to go bike riding. A bit too hilly for us to ride over to the boat launch area."
What campers like
Natural water features: Many campsites offer access to streams or lakes. A Crystal Lake Rec Area visitor observed, "There are lots of spacious camping sites, clean bathrooms, running water, numerous of shade trees, and a cafe/store for all the things you forgot or for a ice cream treat on a hot day!"
Wildlife encounters: The area supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Coldbrook Campground shared, "Good bird-watching in the morning. Stream and faucets nearby. Good campground."
Tree coverage: Most campgrounds provide natural shade. At Dogwood Campground, a visitor noted, "Beautiful, large, private campsites... Honestly I would rate Dogwood a 4.5- as there were a few minor things but overall it's as good as it gets for campgrounds."
Mountain views: Higher elevation sites offer panoramic vistas. A camper at Guffy Campground stated, "The campground has a cliff that looks out over lower elevation mountains and we got to watch the clouds drifting over the mountains just below us. So beautiful!"
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds near transportation corridors experience significant train noise. At Mojave Narrows Regional Park, a camper warned, "I mean really active – I stopped counting after I counted 24 trains lumbering by during our short overnight stay."
Insect activity: Depending on season, bugs can be problematic. One visitor to Coldbrook Campground reported, "Lots of gnats! They swarm your face but then after you sit still for about a minute they leave you alone. Didn't encounter any mosquitos in early April."
Road accessibility: Some campgrounds require careful navigation. A Guffy Campground visitor cautioned, "Liked the site but not the drive. Pit toilet better than nothing... Lost a tire on rocky road in. Take your time."
Bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies widely between campgrounds. At Manker Campground, one camper noted, "I went on a Wednesday afternoon in May and got my pick of sites. There were only 4-6 other campers each night so it was very quiet. Bathrooms were clean and supplied with TP."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Some sites offer dedicated children's areas. A visitor to Mojave Narrows mentioned, "There was a very nice playground in the day-use area, a reasonable walking distance from the Horseshoe Lake sites."
Choose campgrounds with food options: On-site food service saves meal planning. At Crystal Lake, a camper recommended, "Definitely stop off in the Crystal Lake Cafe for some food. Food is great and the owner, Adam, is a true diamond in the rough, very nice man."
Consider site spacing: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. At Dogwood, a visitor observed, "This campground has the atmosphere of camping in the forest with a couple of hiking trails and lots of shade. The sites are well placed making a full campground fell spacious."
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain locations experience significant day-to-night changes. A camper at Table Mountain advised, "I stayed in site 49 and it has a great view during sunset and a couple of great places for a hammock. The ground is a little slanted in most of the sites but not enough that it's not tolerable."
Tips from RVers
Check site levelness: Many mountain sites require leveling equipment. At Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, a camper noted, "We stayed in campsite 108 (which had full hookups) and did not feel that the campsites were too close to one another."
Reserve hookup sites early: Limited full-service sites fill quickly. One RVer at Applewhite Campground shared, "Space 41 could hold a much longer rig but it would be a challenge even getting to that space. The road getting to the campgrounds is somewhat narrow and has some hairpin turns."
Consider road conditions: Mountain access requires appropriate vehicles. A visitor remarked, "Very small campground. Camping sites are spread out. The access road is very narrow. We did it with a 22 foot fifth wheel."
Plan for seasonal closures: Many RV-accessible campgrounds operate seasonally. A Bonita Ranch visitor mentioned, "Although it's a short trip from the city, camping here is a breath of fresh air. Spaces aren't too close together either."
