11 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsite's nine primitive sites allow pets while providing isolation within the San Bernardino National Forest near Running Springs. Fire rings and picnic tables mark each campsite, spread across five miles of forest road with considerable distance between each site. Campers report spots filling quickly during summer months, particularly on weekends. Skypark Camp RV Resort accepts pets and offers full hookups with electric, water, sewer connections, and immaculately maintained restrooms with private shower rooms. The resort's proximity to Santa's Village adventure park creates a convenient base for pet owners seeking both camping and nearby attractions. Green Valley Campground provides another pet-friendly option with clean facilities, flush toilets, and bear boxes at every site.
Hiking opportunities with dogs abound throughout the surrounding forest areas, with the Exploration Trail near Keller Peak weaving around the yellow post sites and extending to the fire lookout tower. Rangers patrol the Keller Peak sites regularly, especially during high fire danger periods when restrictions may limit campfires to portable propane fire pits only. Pet owners should be prepared for variable mountain weather conditions, with temperatures significantly colder than valley areas even during summer months, and occasional snow possible through late spring. Sites near Running Springs sit at elevations around 6,000 feet, making proper pet gear essential for comfort in all seasons. The more developed Green Valley Campground charges $25 per night and requires all dogs to be leashed, while the free yellow post sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with strict rules against parties or excessive noise.
"Each trail I used offered lovely views. This campground is huge, yet felt homey. My cat watched the squirrels play on nearby trees from the RV."
"Stayed a couple years in a row with me family. ( and dog) site large enough for two large family tents. Picnic table and fire ring."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $40 - $81 / night
"Big Bear Lake near by, lake level appears to be receding. Bears and coyotes in the area, recommended not to let small dogs or cats roam unattended."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $44 - $91 / night
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $33 - $67 / night
"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!""
Available this weekend
from $45 - $350 / night
"I felt like it was the prefect spot given the leveled ground and the fact that we had a kid and dog posse. But let me tell you about the ranger named Shawn."
"There is a lovely hiking trail at the far end of the site. There is water, flush toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables. It is a short walk to Lake Arrowhead. This is a dog friendly site."
from $29 - $58 / night
"The green spaces are full of stickers and mostly unusable for things like walking dogs, kids playing. I was charged junk fees. $7 to make the reservation myself online and then $1 per pet, per night."
"There’s no larger wildlife, like bears, so less stressful when you have pets or kids. Plenty of space to bring bikes and ride around."
"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."
"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
"San Gorgonio, aptly named for the famed crown peak near by, is a nice mix of family friendly and weekend escape."
"If you live in Southern California and haven't climbed the highest peak, you need to get out there and experience nature."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $34 - $69 / night
"Pet friendly, our three dogs loved it! Staff was incredibly helpful and hard working. Also it was well located as it was a semi-quick drive to a few fun locations."
"Pineknot is perfectly situated in Big Bear where you're in the woods but only a short walk to Snow Summit. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $34 - $36 / night
RangerBig RV resort. Stayed in Area F site 132 as part of RV tour group. All back-in sites. Septic dump opening was located on the side of light pole - had to workaround in order to dump. Public showers/restrooms are not convenient and are old and open concrete.
ScoutJust what I was looking for
ScoutSite is clean, many activities on weekends They also add 1000lb or catfish and trout weekly depending on season. Members were friendly. Downside is wifi when the campsite is 75+ full and only about a dozen paved spots. Major are gravel and dirt.
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for a true alpine backcountry adventure right in Southern California, backpacking into Round Valley Primitive Campsites inside the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness is an incredible experience. By pairing the world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with a weekend wilderness trek, you can leave the scorching low desert and step into sub-alpine granite peaks within minutes. Our crew recently packed our gear, caught the tram, and set up basecamp at the Gooseberry site for a Friday-to-Saturday summit push of Mount San Jacinto.
The scenery and wilderness delivered on every level—but the trip also served as a stark reminder that high-altitude nature commands respect.
The Route & Camp Setup (Gooseberry Site)
Taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway bypasses thousands of vertical feet of grueling desert switchbacks, depositing you at Mountain Station:
The October Shoulder Season: Nature Changes in Minutes
We chose to hike late in the season during October, and anyone heading up during shoulder months needs to understand high-elevation weather:
A Serious Backcountry Advisory: 50 Years on the Trail Speaks
As someone with over 50 years of hiking and backpacking experience spanning every corner of the American West, what we witnessed on the trail between Round Valley and the peak was alarming.
We encountered dozens of hikers completely unprepared for foul weather:
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Mount San Jacinto Wilderness and Round Valley’s Gooseberry site delivered everything an outdoor enthusiast could want: pristine trails, incredible pine-scented air, and raw wilderness beauty. Just never forget that nature can bite hard if you let your guard down. Pack your layers, bring your essentials, respect the mountain, and you will have an unforgettable journey.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
ScoutExceptional camping experience. Beautiful, secluded, but not far from town. Would recommend a vehicle you feel comfortable with off roading terrain.
RangerThe first two spots are close together. First one a bit small but better cover from Santa Anna winds. Nicely in the forest and close to the village.
TravelerI went there to see, before making a reservation. I found the trailer park—maybe 100 old mobile homes—but I never found an RV park. I didn’t see anything to see. The “pool” was empty. The office was locked, and it wasn’t lunch. Just kinda not happening. I left a message to call me with the answering service, but I never got a call back.
ScoutNice and FREE area , easy to access
TravelerHad a nice stay here twice so far this year. Nice place. Quiet and clean.
San Bernardino National Forest offers numerous camping options near Running Springs at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. These higher mountain locations experience temperatures 15-20°F cooler than surrounding valleys, with overnight lows frequently dropping into the 30s even during summer months. Camping options include both developed campgrounds with amenities and primitive dispersed sites for those seeking more solitude.
Mountain biking near Snow Summit: Access trails directly from Pineknot Campground, which sits adjacent to Snow Summit recreation area. "The best part of this campground is it is within walking distance of Snow Summit. We walked over and took the ski lift up to the top and hiked around the loop. BEAUTIFUL!" shares Rose B.
Fishing at multiple stocked lakes: Drive 20 minutes to Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area where campers can fish from shore or rent boats. "Great camping spot! Close to the lake and you can rent fishing boats and jet ski's and have party's by the water," notes Christina D.
Winter recreation access: Most campgrounds close seasonally, but winter campers can use Serrano Campground as a base through late November. "We camped here the last weekend before they closed for the winter, after Thanksgiving. The campground was clean, quiet, and had a decent amount of space between sites," reports Nicole W.
Spacious, shaded sites: At Dogwood Campground, sites provide ample space and natural screening. "Dogwood is gorgeous. Beautiful, large, private campsites... Bathrooms were clean. After riding around the entire campground on our bikes, we realized we had one of the worst sites!!! Lol Just goes to show even the bad sites are great," explains Paige K.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and common areas. "The campground has the atmosphere of camping in the forest with a couple of hiking trails and lots of shade. Clean restrooms. The camp was quiet and I was able to take my dog with me," says Joanne about Dogwood Campground.
Year-round options: Some sites operate in all seasons for campers seeking winter solitude. "We were very impressed with this campground. It is a very large campground, however there are a couple different loops so it is spread over a large area. The campground has flush toilets, showers and paved roads," describes Troy L. about Dogwood Campground.
Fire restrictions change seasonally: During high fire danger, campfires may be prohibited or restricted to propane-only units. "San Gorgonio, aptly named for the famed crown peak near by, is a nice mix of family friendly and weekend escape... Don't be surprised by temps reaching as high as 90° in the summer and near freezing in the fall at night," explains Nick L. of San Gorgonio Campground.
Road conditions vary: Some campgrounds require driving on unpaved roads. "Site is north of Fawnskin off of 3n14 which is an unpaved road. Nice campground but can be a bit crowded on weekends," cautions George M. about Hanna Flat Campground.
Yellow post sites fill quickly: Free primitive sites have limited availability, especially weekends. "We happened to find a great spot here on Labor Day weekend. Total luck shot. We got a great spot where we saw an amazing sunset. We'll definitely be staying here again," shares Gina C. about yellow post sites.
Bear-aware preparation: Many campgrounds provide bear boxes for food storage. "This campground has so much to offer! The sites are well placed making a full campground fell spacious... Each campsite has a bear box to store food," mentions Shuree F. about Dogwood Campground.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Running Springs: Most sites accommodate pets with leash requirements. "Great camp site. Me and my wife stay here a couple times a year and we also bring our grown kids and with our little grandkids," says Steven E. about Serrano Campground.
Activity options for children: Yucaipa Regional Park offers additional recreation for families with children. "This is your typical regional park Campground. There's a lot to do here, including fishing, playgrounds, and even a waterpark in the summer. The bathrooms are decent, no showers," shares Mary F.
Limited hookup options: Most forest campgrounds lack full hookups. "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. The majority of the sites are primitive," explains David V. about Dogwood Campground.
Tight turning radius: Skypark Camp RV Resort offers full hookups but some sites have challenging access. "Great park. New clean. Staff is very helpful and friendly... Spots are a little tight if you have a bigger unit. Skypark is right across the street for mountain bikes. Lake Arrowhead is close for supplies or food," advises Bryan S.
Seasonal availability considerations: Many RV parks near Running Springs close during winter months. "Booked this campground for 3 nights... The facilities are frankly disgusting and not something we would us... The staff was rude and provided the typical 'we don't provide refunds' when we told them respectfully we we're leaving after the first night," warns Chris M. about one facility, highlighting the importance of researching specific campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Running Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Running Springs, CA is Dogwood with a 4.7-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Running Springs, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 254 dog-friendly camping locations near Running Springs, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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