The San Jacinto Mountains provide varying camping experiences at elevations from 4,000 to 9,000 feet near Idyllwild-Pine Cove. Temperature differences between lower and higher elevations can exceed 20°F, with overnight lows in higher camps frequently dropping below freezing even in summer months. While summer weekends fill quickly, weekday camping often allows more solitude and site selection.
What to Do
Hiking to Mt. San Jacinto peak: Round Valley Campsite serves as an excellent base for summit attempts. "We stayed at the round valley campground in March of this year. There was still some snow and it was beautiful. We took the tram up from palm springs and backpacked to the campground before summiting up San Jacinto peak. The views were breathtaking and the elevation was a killer," notes one camper at Round Valley Campsite.
Rock climbing and bouldering: Boulder Basin Campground provides immediate access to climbing opportunities. "Love this small campground, lots of bouldering in the campground. Beautiful scenery. Some hiking too. Went up the look out tower where the woman staying there at the time was very knowledgeable and share a lot of information with us!" reports a visitor to Boulder Basin.
Trail running from camp: Stone Creek offers direct trail access from campsites. "Multiple hiking trails led out of camp including one right from next to our site that led to multiple other trails heading up San Jacinto Mountain. The trails were a mix of gravel fire road, dirt trail and a few sandy areas through the flats," explained a camper.
Fishing at Lake Hemet: The lake offers trout fishing opportunities with boat rentals available. "We had the best time here! The lake with all the blow up toys was a blast! We rented a boat and went out on the lake to do some fishing. We didn't catch anything but we did see some bald eagles which was super cool!"
What Campers Like
Fire pits and evening temperatures: Many campers appreciate having fire rings during cool mountain evenings. "Every campsite had a fire pit which was nice. Hemet Lake itself is beautiful and the view while fishing was amazing. I was able to catch one trout during our four night stay," notes a visitor to Lake Hemet Campground.
Cell service variability: Service depends greatly on location. "We had full phone/wifi service here. We didn't want or need it, but if we were working from the road this would be an easy stop to set up," mentioned a Stone Creek camper, while visitors to higher elevation sites often report no service.
Vault toilet cleanliness: Stone Creek maintains clean facilities despite being a more primitive site. "The vault toilets were clean, and well stocked with TP and antibacterial soap. There were three on-site," reports a camper at Stone Creek Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Deer sightings are common in the area. "We saw some serious accident sites when people were traveling too fast, and caught up to a slow moving camper around a curve. Drive carefully," warns a visitor regarding the winding mountain roads.
What You Should Know
Road conditions to remote sites: Some of the best places to camp near Idyllwild-Pine Cove require high-clearance vehicles. "Getting up Thomas Mountain is good fun. This Campground is about 8mi up the ridge along a sometimes washed out road. The site itself was peaceful and quiet, but entirely left to run away," explains a visitor to Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Campground.
Insect activity varies by season: Spring and fall typically offer fewer insects. "Spring time and fall are the best here, less flies and insects. In the summer flies swarm, tons of beetles at night, think our dog brought home fleas from our site," notes a camper about Tool Box Springs.
Water availability concerns: Always verify water status before arrival. "Although water is sometimes available, it is not potable and spigots are off during droughts. So make sure to pack enough water ahead of time," advises a Boulder Basin visitor.
Fire restrictions change seasonally: Verify current fire rules before arrival. "There was a no open flame aloud because of how dry it was—which we did not know until we arrived. Might want to check that out," warns a recent visitor.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds and splash pads: Some campgrounds offer kid-specific amenities. "There's a nice playground, trails to walk and bike," notes a Hurkey Creek visitor, while another camper at Hurkey Creek Park adds, "There's a lot of space. It's quite and a large area for kids to play and have fun."
Site privacy considerations: Choose sites away from common areas. "We stayed in Campsite #43 which was close to the bathroom. But it also meant everyone was cutting through our site to get to it; even in the middle of the night. Next time we will choose a spot further from the restrooms," advises a Stone Creek visitor.
Wildlife education opportunities: Kids can learn about local ecology. "We took the kids on the nature walk and they loved it! Big brother read the signs about the pine cones to his little sisters!" shared a Stone Creek camper.
Temperature preparation: Nights get cold even in summer months. "Weather was cold and windy but not too bad. Bring insulation for your water hose or have some type of method that will keep your water lines from freezing. Our water hose froze the first night," warns a Lake Hemet visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling equipment. "Our Site was not level at all. We carry a lot of leveling blocks and are not even close to level still nose down with 4 2x8s and Jack at max extension. Side to side level took one board under left side," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Idyllwild.
Road narrowness and switchbacks: Access roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "Windy (paved) road to get in so could be tricky for rigs >25 feet," notes a Marion Mountain camper, while another adds "We tent camped but noticed it's a bit tricky to find a nice flat spot to plop down a tent, especially if it's a big one."
Seasonal facility closures: Winter brings limited amenities. "Pool and activities were closed in the winter," mentions a Thousand Trails visitor, something to consider when planning an off-season trip.
Weather preparation: Mountain locations mean significant temperature swings. "We had a great breeze every evening starting around 4pm that lasted a couple hours," notes a camper, suggesting window positioning to maximize airflow during warmer days.
