Camping options near Rialto, California range from riverside parks to mountain escapes at elevations between 1,200 and 7,000 feet. The San Bernardino Mountains provide natural retreats with cooler temperatures in summer, typically 15-20°F lower than the valley floor. Many locations implement seasonal fire restrictions during dry months when wildfire danger increases.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Skypark Camp RV Resort sits directly across from Santa's Village bike park with dedicated mountain biking routes. "Super beautiful and clean site. LOTS of activities for families (splash pad)," notes one visitor who appreciated the convenient location.
Fishing opportunities: Bonelli Bluffs offers multiple fishing spots around its lake. "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more," reports a camper who regularly visits for fishing excursions.
Hiking to waterfalls: The area around Bonita Ranch Campground provides access to scenic trails and Bonita Falls. "Easy access to a pretty trail right behind the campground... Beautiful scenery and we even got a dusting of snow!" writes one visitor who stayed in their van with pets.
Rock climbing spots: Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites offer numerous climbing opportunities near each site. "The Exploration trail weaves around them up to the peak and makes a great hike and there are tons of climbing spots," explains a reviewer who noted that the nine dispersed sites stretch across five miles of road.
What campers like
Security features: Rancho Jurupa Park gets high marks for its attentive staff and secured entry. "Great sense of community and great placement of the gates for safety purposes... Ranger is on constant patrol," writes one camper who enjoyed the sense of security.
Convenient urban camping: Fairplex RV Park provides location advantages for travelers who need city access. "Very convenient for fairplex events... you couldn't get too much closer to the fairplex and if you are involved in something going on at the fairplex I would definitely be a very convenient place to stay," notes a reviewer who appreciated the proximity despite the tight spacing.
Spectacular views: Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites offer remarkable viewpoints, especially site #9. "These sites are beautiful - especially #9! It pokes out over the mountains and has the most unbelievable view! The hiking is great around here and there are lots of trails to explore," reports an enthusiastic visitor.
Clean facilities: Golden Village Palms RV Resort maintains meticulous grounds and amenities. "Golden Village Palms was an immaculate resort with an absolutely gorgeous pool with multiple spas. Our campsite had a citrus tree, and it was a nice private area," writes a visitor who found the resort to be "a beautiful surprise" despite not seeking out Hemet as a destination.
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary by location: Rules differ significantly between campgrounds. At Keller Peak, one reviewer clarified: "They have fire rings but fires are not always permitted so be sure to check with the station just at the bottom of Keller Peak Road."
Reservation systems: Most established campgrounds require advance bookings. Canyon RV Park fills quickly during peak seasons, while walk-ins are prohibited at some locations like Holloway's Marina RV Park, where one camper learned the hard way: "Note this place DOES NOT accept walk-ins (you must have a res)."
Highway noise impacts: Canyon RV Park has road noise from nearby freeways. "The site is bordered by highways on both sides, and they create noise day and night. They're also clearly visible," reports a camper who otherwise enjoyed the well-organized facilities.
Weather considerations: Mountain elevations can experience sudden weather changes. A Keller Peak camper noted: "Weather is definitely colder than in the valley, got snow overnight in mid May."
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Skypark Camp RV Resort offers recreational activities for children. "Bathrooms are incredibly clean and a combo of a toilet and shower to a room. So, no randos. Fire pits and games for the kids. Location across from the skypark is great for families with small kids," writes a family that appreciated the thoughtful setup.
Group camping considerations: Rancho Jurupa has specific group sites that differ from family areas. "Took Girl Scouts here for group camping. Rocky and sand. The family camping was fine! Girls used Porta Potties... However, there are some great kid friendly activities," notes a troop leader who had different experiences with the two camping areas.
Secure recreation areas: Some campgrounds monitor child safety more strictly than others. At Bonelli Bluffs, a parent warns: "Don't touch the water," while another campground visitor mentions designated swimming areas with proper supervision.
Site selection for families: Choose spots away from roadways at busier campgrounds. A Fairplex camper advises: "Very noisy with the traffic going by if that's where your spot is by the road but away from the road it's not so bad."
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Mountain routes to RV campgrounds require careful navigation. One Holloway's Marina camper advises: "Make sure you take the back way up the mountain. It's no joke pulling a trailer up there."
Site dimensions for larger rigs: Mission RV Park accommodates larger vehicles but has compact sites. "Small/tight spaces. Clean facilities. Staff very accommodating," notes a recent visitor who found the small footprint balanced by the well-maintained facilities.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven parking pads at some locations. A Holloway's Marina camper shared: "Asphalt pad with gravel picnic area between pads. Pad was a little off level. Had to block one side."
Seasonal considerations: RV parks in the region often have different rates and amenities by season. A Canyon RV Park long-term visitor observed: "They even have fun events on many of the weekends."
