342 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The San Bernardino National Forest surrounds Rimforest, California with numerous developed campgrounds offering both tent and RV accommodations. Dogwood Campground stands out with its large, shaded sites beneath tall pine trees and provides amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes. Other notable options include Serrano Campground near Big Bear Lake, North Shore Campground at Lake Almanor, and the Keller Peak Yellow Post Sites for more primitive camping experiences. Most established campgrounds in the area feature toilets and drinking water, while some like Skypark Camp RV Resort and Serrano offer full hookups for recreational vehicles.
The region experiences distinct seasonal changes that affect camping availability, with many campgrounds operating primarily from spring through fall. "The campground overall is really pretty and in a great location in Lake Arrowhead. However, we made the mistake of booking site 005, which is right on a ridge... it was SO windy," noted one visitor, highlighting the importance of site selection. Higher elevation campgrounds like Dogwood and Hanna Flat (5,000+ feet) remain cool even during summer months, with temperatures dropping significantly at night. Most developed sites require reservations through recreation.gov or The Dyrt, particularly during peak summer weekends and holidays. Cell service varies throughout the mountain communities, with better coverage near towns like Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs than in the more remote yellow post sites.
Campers consistently praise the forested settings that provide ample shade and privacy between sites. One reviewer mentioned, "With how brown and dreary everything always looks at this time of year in this drought ridden state, this campground is so gorgeously green and lush!" The campgrounds near Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake provide convenient access to water recreation, hiking trails, and mountain towns for supplies. Several campgrounds feature hiking paths directly from the sites, allowing for exploration without driving. Road noise can be heard at some locations near Highway 18, particularly at Dogwood, though most reviewers find it minimal. Families appreciate the clean facilities at Dogwood and Serrano campgrounds, with regular maintenance of bathrooms and showers when available. The yellow post sites offer more seclusion but fewer amenities for those seeking a more primitive experience.
"The trees are massive and plenty and make you feel like you are a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of California."
"The campground overall is really pretty and in a great location in Lake Arrowhead. However, we made the mistake of booking site 005, which is right on a ridge... it was SO windy."
from $40 - $81 / night
Check Availability"Silverwood Lake Campground offers a range of site experiences depending on where you stay."
"Silverwood Lake was just that. Lush green mountains in the back drop that surrounded every view you turned to take in. "You need to recharge your batteries!""
from $45 - $350 / night
Check Availability"Spaces are pretty close together and small, but we got lucky and didn’t have anyone around us (likely due to bad air quality). If you kayak this is a great place to camp, it’s right next to the lake."
"Lake arrowhead isn't a public lake so it's a bit of a drive to do any water activities, but there was a close offroad trail."
from $29 - $58 / night
Check Availability"We were tucked up into the hill side with neighbors far enough sway to make it very private. There were no showers so we brought our travel one and hung it from a branch."
"We arrived at Hanna Flat campground around 11 am on Friday, August 21. First thing about the campground is that the road to get to it is pretty rough."
from $33 - $67 / night
Check Availability"Lake Arrowhead is close for supplies or food. "
"Views are worth it and this is so conveniently located next to Santa's Village. Will definitely be coming back again sooner than later!"
from $39 - $299 / night
Check Availability"We camped just a few steps away from the lake, there were other campers there but the campgrounds are far enough away from each other."
"This camp site is located walking distance to the lake. There are bike paths and walking trails located near the camp ground."
from $44 - $91 / night
Check Availability"Tons of hiking trails and within 30 min drive of major shopping/grocery stores. Big Bear is about an hour away with and awesome drive up the mountain."
"Close to the city but far enough away from the lights. There is a ton of stuff to do here. Fishing, kayaking, hiking, water slides, disc golf, bike trails. The RV spots are beyond huge!"
"Tons of land to hike, on or off trail. Geocaching sites nearby. The Keller Peak Lookout was amazing."
"Each site is decent size and tucked away into the rocks. Many will fit multiple people easily. They fill up fast may-sept."
"Most of the sites have incredible views looking out over Lake Hemet and of the San Jacinto mountains."
"Fun off-road adventure to get to the site. Minimal sites so not much crowding."
"After years of venturing into and around Lake Arrowhead (often a mere stop on my way to Big Bear/Fawnskin) I finally started exploring off the beaten path by accident last year and holy cow!"
"Green valley lake campground is an awesome place for a fun getaway. We wanted to get away for the Fourth of July but waited too long to book in Big Bear."
TravelerCamped with two people and had tons of space in our site. The car parking is a slightly away from the site, which we liked but maybe not other peoples’ preference
ScoutHas a security guard that thought she was God or something like that. Never seen anybody or place so petty on the place and still searching for the championship horseshoe pits and I can't stop talking about the dark green of the fishing lakes and the fish swimming on their sides
TravelerWe reserved and paid for a regular RV site specifically advertised for a 36–40 ft motorhome. We were assigned Site#28, which was so sloped and unsuitable that we could not safely extend either our living-room slide-out or bedroom slide-out. While using our leveling system, two front hydraulic jack rods broke and one rear jack became severely bent and could not retract. Our motorhome was left unsafe to drive or move. The exact mechanical cause still requires professional inspection, but the condition and slope of the assigned site are serious concerns. We immediately notified the campground by email, provided photographs, and went to the office seeking help with an incident report, emergency assistance, and a safe plan for the stranded motorhome. Unfortunately, management refused to take meaningful responsibility or help us resolve the emergency. The most disappointing part was not only the unsuitable site, but the lack of concern and assistance after a guest’s large motorhome became immobilized on the property. We had to return to work on Monday and were left trying to arrange emergency service, towing, transportation, and accommodation on our own. Based on this experience, I cannot recommend Holloway’s RV Park to owners of large Class A motorhomes. If you have a 36–40 ft RV, carefully inspect the assigned site’s slope, space, and leveling conditions before parking or deploying your jacks.
Travelervery pretty sight the mountain air is incredible. the staff is very helpful and friendly. at night the drunks go crazy and the bears steal their food.
ScoutThe scenery is unique and enjoyable, with nice views of either sunrise or sunset, depending on site. I found the lake itself very pretty. However when we arrived 4 vehicles are in our spot, people were nice enough moving but we had to go door to door knocking on camper to ask who's cars they were due to no signal and no rangers nearby. Our site was pretty dirty with lots of trash, copious ants near the drainage attachments, and two of the nearby groups had excessive tents extending into the back of our site making our view look more like a homeless encampment and less like a serene mountain sunset. They also were littering, urinating outside, and excessively drinking and partying like crazy until the wee hours. As a family group we felt really uncomfortable. It seemed like not all spots are like this, however, on my walk around deer loop in the morning. If you do go, the water activities and rentals look fun, the walking trail/biking trail was nicely done, and you could optimize your spot by booking a whole group of spots (instead of booking one, book one on the right and left side to avoid feeling like you have entered homeless refuge). It maybe was a bit worse as we were here over a holiday weekend. But we most likely won't be back, there are other places that are less expensive and with better enforcement and a family atmosphere. If you want to party it is probably a fine spot, and if you love water sports also likely ok. I thin it's a beautiful place with unique scenery and a lot of potential, but needs more enforcement regarding guest code of conduct.
Edited and gave 3 stars instead of 2. Views are really nice now that our poorly behaved neighbors left. Worth considering a visit during less busy times.
TravelerNice campground, clean and well maintained - would pick a different spot a bit further from street. If you want to go to lake, its a bit away so need car.
ScoutEasy to get to. I have an AWD sprinter no problem. Son has an Acura TLX made it up no issue had a few spin outs on steeper parts. Higher sites are nice and spaced.
RangerNo lake view, which was a bit disappointing. Nice wooded area though with tree climbing. A bit loud music from the neighbors, not until very late so was OK. Limited amount of toilets for the amount of spots
TravelerCamp site is in walking distance of Idyllwild. Has has a couple of sites with electric hookups. Bathrooms are clean, showers need a token for $1. Being close to the road makes it noisy during the daytime .
Camping spots near Rimforest, California sit within the San Bernardino National Forest at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer nights typically cool to the 50s. The region's camping options range from primitive yellow post sites with minimal facilities to full-hookup RV campgrounds near mountain lakes.
Hiking from camp: Access the Exploration Trail directly from Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites where visitors enjoy connections to larger networks. "Tons of land to hike, on or off trail. Geocaching sites nearby. The Keller Peak Lookout was amazing. I thought it was just a tourist attraction but it's really a staffed (with volunteers) active fire lookout," notes Steve H.
Fishing opportunities: Green Valley Lake provides good fishing access just a short drive from nearby camping areas. "The lake is very clean and has a lot of fish. It is privately owned so you do have to pay to fish or swim, and you pay per person, so keep that in mind if you have a large group," explains Aleena S.
Mountain biking: Skypark Camp RV Resort offers direct access to mountain biking trails. "Perfect gateway for your adventures in the area," writes Ken C., while another camper notes "this is so conveniently located next to Santa's Village" which features extensive bike trails.
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the space between sites at Hanna Flat Campground. "Nice campground but can be a bit crowded on weekends," mentions George M., while another reviewer notes, "Campsites are pretty spaced out and have a bit of privacy."
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers value the yellow post sites near Rimforest. "Excellent place to camp. And free, no less. Need high clearance or 4wd vehicle for a rough road but once you get to the top, the sites are great!" writes Steve about Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites.
Consistent cell service: Unlike many mountain camping locations, several Rimforest area campgrounds maintain decent connectivity. At Skypark Camp RV Resort, "Verizon had service at the camp," reports Grant W., while North Shore Campground reviewers mention being able to work remotely with limited but functional service.
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary widely between campgrounds and change seasonally. "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," advises one Keller Peak visitor.
Road conditions: Many camping areas require navigation on unpaved roads. "The drive up to the campsite was a bit bumpy, although the trail was a nice view," warns Manny D. about Hanna Flat, while Thomas Hunting Grounds reviewers note, "The dirt road that leads up to the first spots is a doozy, and very long."
Weekend crowding: Mesa Campground at Silverwood Lake sees significant differences between weekday and weekend use. "We did go from Sunday through Wednesday and not only was it not crowded but it was nearly empty. Apparently the weekends are quite full," reports one camper.
Best shower facilities: For families needing full amenities, Serrano Campground stands out. "Clean flush toilets and showers. Fire pit and picnic tables are at each site," notes Sarah C., adding it's "right across from the Discovery Center in Big Bear, which is where a couple fun hiking trails begin."
Kid-friendly activities: Yucaipa Regional Park offers multiple recreation options. "Great tent camping facilities, privacy from neighbors, access to Zanja Peak Trail head, 3 lakes for fishing, water park during the summer," writes Bryan H., making it ideal for families with varied interests.
Safety considerations: Parents should research site-specific hazards. At Keller Peak, one reviewer cautions, "A local family came onto the site and invited themselves to stay... They say they come every so often and have dinner there; so be prepared to share or fight them off your campground."
Site selection at Dogwood: RVers recommend careful site selection at Dogwood Campground. "I love this campground because they have a lot of amenities that don't seem to change the scenery. They have electric and water hook up for RVs in a few sites that are reservable," notes David V.
Leveling challenges: Many mountain campgrounds have uneven sites. "Each campsite has a fire pit. Not much shade on any of the sites so be prepared if going in the summer," explains Shannon C. about Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Sites, while other reviewers frequently mention bringing leveling blocks.
Winter considerations: RVers camping during colder months should prepare accordingly. "We camped here the last weekend before they closed for the winter, after Thanksgiving. Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains," reports Nicole W. from Serrano Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Rimforest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Rimforest, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 342 campgrounds and RV parks near Rimforest, CA and 30 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Rimforest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rimforest, CA is Dogwood with a 4.7-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rimforest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 free dispersed camping spots near Rimforest, CA.
What parks are near Rimforest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Rimforest, CA that allow camping, notably Mojave River Dam and San Bernardino National Forest.
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