San Bernardino National Forest and surrounding areas offer diverse camping options near Redlands, California. Sites range from 1,000 feet elevation in Riverside County to over 7,000 feet in mountain areas. Summer temperatures can vary dramatically between locations, with 30°F differences between valley floor and mountain campsites. Most campgrounds require advance planning during peak seasons, with reservations filling 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Perris State Recreation Area provides catfish and bass fishing in a desert lake setting. "Lake Perris was a fun and clean place to camp at! We did some fishing, bike riding, the water was clear, and my kids loved it," shares Lauren R. The park also features a museum with exhibits on local tribal history.
Hiking access: Dogwood Campground connects to several trails directly from camp. "Access to the Enchanted loop nature trail is at the back end of the camp and offers some great views," notes Jeremiah F. The campground's forest setting provides cooler temperatures than lower-elevation sites.
Mountain biking: Campsites near Big Bear provide access to mountain bike trails. Bryan S. mentions that at Hanna Flat Campground, "Campsite 49/51 is right by the trail to hike and bike." The area connects to several forest service roads suitable for recreational riding.
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, some campgrounds offer water sports. At Lake Perris, one visitor noted, "There is a cool museum were the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes." Beaches at several parks allow swimming during summer months when water levels permit.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate spacing at forest campgrounds. "The campgrounds are spacious and facilities were clean," writes Dawn B. about Yucaipa Regional Park. Sites in mountain areas typically offer more seclusion than valley floor campgrounds.
Year-round options: Unlike high-elevation sites that close seasonally, San Gorgonio Campground remains open all year. "The trees are tall and skinny so there's not a ton of privacy, but it's woodsy and beautiful," notes Kate W. This provides camping access when mountain sites are snow-covered.
Free dispersed camping: For those seeking no-cost options, Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites provides free camping with minimal amenities. Chelsea R. shares, "I almost want to give this a 1 star review, just to keep it to myself a little longer. We loved this yellow post site, by far one of my favorites. Private but with cell service, tables and fire pits!"
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with developed amenities maintain good standards. "Bathrooms are decent, no showers," mentions one Yucaipa visitor. At San Gorgonio, campers note "clean restrooms with flush toilets, along with soap and water sinks."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires traveling unpaved roads. For Thomas Hunting Grounds, Nora S. advises: "The dirt road that leads up to the first spots is a doozy, and very long. When arriving at night, we felt like it would never end but don't worry it does!"
Bear precautions: Wildlife considerations vary by campground. One San Gorgonio camper warns: "Don't leave Ice chest out and 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."
Campsite size variations: Research specific site dimensions before booking. At Skypark Camp RV Resort, greg notes, "There is a huge variation in quality of sites. We were initially in a spot that was virtually unable to accommodate our 24' trailer but luckily someone had canceled and we moved to a better location."
Weekend crowds: Some campgrounds transform dramatically between weekdays and weekends. Paul C. observed at Lake Perris: "Shade is sparse, fellow campers aren't the most considerate. I have been here 3 times and it always ends up being loud. Fellow campers play music loud and it's more of a low class party area then camping."
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Rancho Jurupa Park offers developed recreation. "There's a splash pad, park, mini golf great amenities," notes Marcella D. The water play areas provide summer cooling without lake swimming.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds feature interpretive programs. At Lake Perris, Lauren describes, "There is a cool museum where the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes. Such a fun and peaceful place to hangout at!"
Biking-friendly campgrounds: Several parks feature paved roads suitable for children cycling. "Plenty of space to bring bikes and ride around," notes one Yucaipa visitor. Trey T. shares about Serrano Campground: "We loved camping here. Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake."
Security considerations: Check campground safety features when choosing family sites. Troy A. notes about Rancho Jurupa: "Great sense of community and great placement of the gates for safety purposes. Ranger is on constant patrol."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Mountain campgrounds often feature uneven terrain. Troy A. observes at Lake Perris, "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."
Hookup availability: Utilities vary widely between campgrounds. Anneliese S. reports at Yucaipa Regional Park: "Full hookup. Some sites have better shade than others. I'm here in the heat but my AC is keeping up. Verizon service is only 2 bars but I can still work."
Winter considerations: Campers using RVs during colder months should prepare for freezing conditions. Nicole W. shares about Serrano Campground: "Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains." Water systems may need winterizing during overnight stays.
Access limitations: Larger RVs face challenges at some campgrounds. Bryan S. notes about Skypark Camp RV Resort: "Spots are a little tight if you have a bigger unit." Research site dimensions and access road conditions before booking.
