406 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The San Bernardino mountains and surrounding national forest lands contain a mix of developed campgrounds and primitive camping areas within two hours of Southern California's urban centers. Popular sites include Dogwood Campground and Serrano Campground, which offer amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. The region supports tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals at facilities like Bonita Ranch Campground and Rancho Jurupa RV Park. Most developed campgrounds sit at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet in pine and oak woodlands, while lower-elevation sites near Lake Perris and Silverwood Lake provide water recreation access.
Many national forest campgrounds operate seasonally, with higher elevation sites typically closed from November through April due to snow conditions. Summer temperatures in the mountains remain moderate compared to the valley floor, often 15-20 degrees cooler than downtown San Bernardino. Fire restrictions frequently impact camping during dry periods, particularly between June and October when fire danger peaks. Reservations are essential for developed campgrounds during summer months and holiday weekends, while dispersed yellow post sites in the national forest operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Access roads to remote sites can present challenges, as one camper noted about yellow post camping: "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!"
Campers consistently mention the contrast between peaceful mountain sites and those closer to urban areas. Locations like Heart Bar Campground receive praise for their isolation and sunset views, while campgrounds near highways sometimes generate complaints about traffic noise. The San Bernardino National Forest yellow post sites offer more solitude but require self-sufficiency and proper preparation. Several visitors highlight the region's recreational diversity, with hiking trails, fishing areas, and rock climbing opportunities within short distances of established campgrounds. A reviewer described the appeal of Heart Bar Campground: "The back of the campground faces west where the rolling mountains seem to part in a way that showcases the beautiful California sunset. The campground is away from the town enough to feel secluded and quiet."
"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"Already been here twice once in 01/25 and 11/25 great campsite some have access to running water facet if not there are some that are close by, have also close by trash bins, has a little shop near by"
"It is right next to the lake which has a swimming area, bike path, climbing area, Hiking trails, along with a camp store which has boat rentals and much more! "
from $25 - $300 / 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!"
"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"Nice level grounds to walk around. Lakeside has gravel roads / pads... other side has asphalt roads / concrete pads. Restrooms are clean and acceptable."
"The lakeview area has dirt roads, sparse grass and a few spots close to the lake. The Cottonwood campground has concrete pads and well maintained grass throughout."
from $40 - $55 / 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"Cozy getaway in San Bernardino Forst with beautiful hiking trails and waterfall."
"Easy access to a pretty trail right behind the campground. Very quiet and interspersed with long time stayers and temporary campers. I stayed in my van and had my cat and dog with me."
from $35 - $45 / 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"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
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ScoutI found the campground to be very friendly kid friendly and pet friendly. The spots were spacious and some had privacy others were out in the open. The rangers were very friendly and helpful, they helped me set up my tent when they saw I was having trouble. There are trails to explore. A great last minute getaway from the city and not to far, the bathroom was clean and modern with hot showers and toilets.
TravelerVery windy and need high clearance vehicles
TravelerYou definitely need high clearance vehicles or you will not make it here
GuideThis is my go-to campground. I live in the San Diego area. It's designed for your season camper that prefers tranquility over business. It's not recommended during the weekend.
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.
The San Bernardino mountains provide access to camping at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 7,200 feet, creating distinct microclimates throughout the county. Campers often experience temperature variations of up to 30 degrees between valley and mountain sites during summer months. The region's Mediterranean climate pattern produces wet winters and extremely dry summers, affecting water availability and fire restrictions at dispersed camping locations.
Explore mountain biking trails: Access to prime riding areas near Skypark Camp RV Resort, which sits directly across from popular biking terrain. "Skypark is right across the street for mountain bikes," notes Bryan S., who appreciated the convenient location for outdoor recreation.
Fish in multiple lakes: Both natural and man-made lakes provide fishing opportunities throughout the county. At Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground, anglers report consistent catches. "This lake has been good to me and my friends, always catch something, maybe not a lunker but fun," reports John H.
Visit historic districts: The proximity to restored historical areas makes for interesting day trips from campgrounds. Rancho Jurupa Park offers easy access to cultural landmarks. "We drove over to the Mission Inn (8 min drive) enjoyed lunch. Their is a pedestrian only shopping area with a Saturday farmer's market plus lots of restaurants," shares Jody R.
Spacious, shaded sites: Many campers value the privacy and natural setting at Dogwood Campground. "Our site was a single so it only fit one car. There is extra parking available for additional cars that we could have used, but if we had a trailer we wouldn't have fit. So make sure you get a site that fits your needs!" advises Troy L.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campsites with proper maintenance receive consistently high ratings. "Bathroom facilities were immaculate. Rangers are eager to answer questions and I learned a bit about the bald eagles in the area from one of them," notes Bower about their experience at Mesa Campground — Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area.
Trail access directly from camp: The ability to hike without driving appeals to many visitors. "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," shares Joanne about Dogwood.
Fire restrictions vary by season and location: Rules about fires change frequently, particularly during dry periods. "No wood fires but they do offer gas fire pits in the community area," reports Bryan S. about Skypark Camp RV Resort.
Campsite sizes differ significantly: Not all sites accommodate large setups or multiple vehicles. "The sites are well spaced, good tree cover. Very nice patch of land. Quiet. Lake Arrowhead Village is 4 miles away," notes Andrew B. about North Shore Campground.
Weekend noise levels: Some locations experience significant differences in atmosphere between weekdays and weekends. "I've stayed here twice, the first time all the sites were booked the second time it was pretty empty. Both times, neighboring campers were blasting music. Not just a little loud, but so loud I felt the bass two loops away," reports Elly A. about Silverwood Lake.
Water recreation options: Locations with water features offer additional activities. "Great tent camping facilities, privacy from neighbors, access to Zanja Peak Trail head, 3 lakes for fishing, water park during the summer, and friendly helpful staff," Bryan H. shares about Yucaipa Regional Park.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Several locations feature safe areas for children to ride. "We loved camping here. Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake. The town is bike friendly. Some road noise but quiet over night," notes Trey T. about Serrano Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal sightings add excitement to family trips. "Just had the best weekend even with the 3 bears that decided to come by. Group of 30. Definitely a good time. Be careful with the bears!" warns Rosalina P. about her stay at Silverwood Lake.
Accessibility considerations: Access roads to some campgrounds present challenges for larger vehicles. "Spots are a little tight if you have a bigger unit," reports Bryan S. about Skypark Camp RV Resort.
Hookup variations: RV sites offer different levels of service across the region. "We stayed in the natural area with hook-ups everything worked great," reports Jody R. about Rancho Jurupa Park, which provides full-service sites near urban amenities.
Winter camping limitations: Cold weather affects facilities during winter months. "Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains," reports Nicole W. about her late-season stay at Serrano Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping sites in San Bernardino for weekend trips?
San Bernardino offers excellent weekend camping destinations across its diverse landscapes. Marion Mountain in the San Bernardino National Forest provides peace and tranquility in a beautiful mountain setting, making it perfect for weekend escapes. For those seeking backcountry experiences, South Ridge Yellow Post Sites offer secluded, free, first-come-first-served options with basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. Other notable weekend options include Table Mountain Campground with its spacious sites and pit toilets, Thomas Hunting Grounds with stunning mountain views, and San Gorgonio Campground with well-spaced sites and access to water. Most sites are busier during summer weekends, so consider reservations where available or arrive early for first-come-first-served sites.
Are there good RV camping options in San Bernardino County?
San Bernardino County offers several quality RV camping options. Orangeland RV Park provides reasonable prices, helpful staff, and convenient Anaheim transit stops to nearby attractions like Disneyland. San Bernardino County Glen Helen Regional Park features amenities tailored for RVers including showers, bathrooms, dump station, fire pits, and picnic tables. The park has a controlled entry gate for added security. Other RV-friendly options include San Gorgonio Campground with sites large enough for RVs (though without hookups), and Mesa Campground at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area which accommodates big rigs. For full hookups and resort-style amenities, Rancho Jurupa RV Park near Riverside offers a comprehensive RV camping experience within the county.
What lakes in San Bernardino offer camping with fishing access?
Serrano Campground at Big Bear Lake provides excellent fishing access with campsites just steps away from the water. The lake is home to various fish species, and the friendly staff can provide information about fishing conditions and local wildlife. Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area offers fishing opportunities at Mesa Campground, where anglers can access the lake for both shore and boat fishing. Other notable fishing lakes with camping include Lake Arrowhead with nearby campgrounds for trout fishing, and Lake Gregory which offers seasonal fishing opportunities. Many lake campgrounds in San Bernardino County require reservations during peak season (May-September), and California fishing licenses are required for anglers 16 years and older. Some lakes have specific fishing regulations regarding catch limits and bait restrictions.
Are there private campgrounds in San Bernardino with better amenities?
Bonita Ranch Campground offers a cozy private camping experience in San Bernardino Forest with access to beautiful hiking trails and a waterfall. For those seeking more luxurious accommodations, Bonelli Bluffs provides enhanced amenities in a private setting. Skypark Camp RV Resort is another private option with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities for a more comfortable camping experience. Private campgrounds in the area typically offer advantages over public sites including more reliable reservations, enhanced facilities like showers and flush toilets, electrical hookups, and often Wi-Fi access. Many private campgrounds also provide additional recreational amenities such as swimming pools, game rooms, and organized activities, especially during peak season. Prices are generally higher than public sites, but the extra amenities and conveniences may be worth it for weekend getaways.
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