Camping sites near Piñon Hills, California offer elevation ranges from 4,500 to 7,000 feet within San Bernardino and Angeles National Forests. The proximity to high desert terrain creates distinct seasonal transitions with summer temperatures reaching 85-95°F during days and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Winter camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hiking at Crystal Lake: Crystal Lake Recreation Area provides multiple trail options with varying difficulties. "There are several hiking trails here that are well used and well maintained. This is a great campground near the city," notes Robert A. The campground sits at higher elevation, offering a respite from heat.
Waterfall exploration: Trails from Bonita Ranch Campground lead to Bonita Falls. "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," according to Jonathan G.
Rock climbing and swimming: Table Mountain Campground provides access to climbing areas and nearby water activities. A camper mentioned, "This campground is very large with a lot of campsites. There are several pit toilets throughout the campground. There are several hiking trails here."
Night sky viewing: Clear mountain nights provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. "We sat in the darkness and took in the stars with the sound of the creek below us," reports Alexis S. at Coldbrook Campground, where light pollution is minimal compared to nearby urban areas.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: The forested campgrounds support diverse wildlife viewing. Forest G. at Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground reported, "ANIMALS SEEN: Black bear, deer (wandered through our site), red foxes, Stellar's Jays, woodpeckers, other birds."
Water features: Streams running through campgrounds enhance the camping experience. At Coldbrook Campground, Trisha P. shares, "This is a great little campground. We absolutely love this place. We are right up hwy 39, which is a quick getaway for us to do a 1 night trip."
Temperature variation: The higher elevation camping provides relief from valley heat. "We just camped here last weekend with my son's Boy Scout troop. We had a quad site which was great for a group. The camp host was friendly and helpful," notes Karilyn O. about Table Mountain.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites. "Campsite was clean and quiet. Really nice place to camp with plenty of trees and places to hike. Host was really friendly and nice too," according to Roger W.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Fire policies vary by season and location. "Great spot, clean vault toilets, and a good view. Only downside was the incredible high number of yellow jackets in the area and a fire restriction," reports Bryan H. about Table Mountain Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Most campgrounds offer basic facilities. "Toilets were clean, fully stocked. Water pipe was useful. Each site has a bear locker, picnic table and fire ring," notes Karilyn O.
Insect activity: Several areas experience seasonal insect populations. "Lots of gnats! They swarm your face but then after you sit still for about a minute they leave you alone," reports Lizzie B. about Coldbrook Campground.
Weekend crowds: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly, especially in summer. "We arrived around 4:30 pm (driving from LA it was about 2 hours with traffic), and there were lots of sites still available. We ended up in site D47, which seemed a little quieter because it was further from the main road," shares Forest G.
Tips for camping with families
Bear safety practices: Food storage is essential in this region. "Each site has a bear locker, picnic table and fire ring," notes Karilyn O. about Table Mountain Campground. Bear sightings are reported at multiple campgrounds.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads. "With the desire of getting out of Orange County, Lake Campground was a perfect destination that was not far and yet it put you in touch with solitude. Lake Campground have small but roomy sites that gives the area a wonderful feeling," shares Lena F.
Site selection for children: Look for flatter sites with shade. "The sites weren't very flat, so options to set your tent up were very limited. Some sites had some shade, others almost none," explains Jeremiah F. about Lake Campground.
Day trip options: Access to water features provides family-friendly activities. "Jackson Lake is a short walk from the campgrounds. It has a nice day use picnic area with coal grills, picnic benches, and four vault toilets," adds Jeremiah F.
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Many mountain campgrounds have restrictions on RV size. "Nice campground. A little over 6000 feet up in the pine trees. Good for small RVs. Over 24 foot not recommended," advises Lauralyn J. about Buckhorn Campground.
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited in the region. "This place is awesome full hookups lots to do trails and not to mention right on top of the creek. Friendly staff helpful too restrooms r clean showers clean too," reports Sara H. about Bonita Ranch Campground.
Seasonal road conditions: Higher elevation campgrounds may have access challenges during winter months. "The drive to the campsite is pretty rough but doable. It's very close to a good stream of water. There are fire pits in some spots just get there early to get a good spot," shares Chloe V.
