Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites offers true free dispersed camping with pets in the San Bernardino Mountains. Located off a dirt forest service road, these spacious, secluded campsites provide privacy for dogs to explore while remaining close to hiking trails. Sites have varying amenities - some feature fire pits and picnic tables, though all require visitors to pack in water and pack out trash. The roughly graded dirt road demands high clearance or 4WD vehicles, especially at certain spots along the 6S13 route. Dogs enjoy the freedom of these remote sites where owners can find incredible views overlooking Lake Hemet and San Jacinto mountains.
East Flats offers another dispersed camping option for pet owners seeking a more primitive experience. With no drinking water, toilets, or established facilities, this free campground maintains a true wilderness setting perfect for self-sufficient campers with pets. Well-established campgrounds like San Gorgonio, Barton Flats, and Heart Bar also welcome pets with designated sites featuring drinking water, toilets, and fire rings. Most require leashed pets at all times and limit dogs to developed areas only. When hiking with dogs near these campgrounds, owners should be prepared for wildlife encounters and pack extra water during hot summer months, especially on trails leading to Jenks Lake and surrounding peaks.
$44 - $91 / 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."
$34 - $69 / 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."
$36 - $73 / night
"Came here for a weekend, good spot for tent camping, I went on an off trail hike, cool, fun area. Some views. Drove over to the lake but couldn’t find parking. Very quiet and clean as well."
"mountain just a short hike away from our site, #23. "
"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."
$33 - $67 / 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."
$29 - $58 / night
"The first thing to mention is the location. The back of the campground faces west where the rolling mountains seem to part in a way that showcases the beautiful California sunset."
"second reason; there are many many sites to choose from. this camp ground has several loops that each contain roughly 20 campsites, sometimes more. on any given day you should be able to drive up, though"
$34 - $36 / 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. "
"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."
$40 - $81 / night
"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."
"There are a number of campers, but remote locations are easily found. If you bring pets, be aware they may upset Rattlesnakes."
"What more can you ask for a few hours away from LA proper…"
ScoutLocated in the San Bernardino National Forest, within the San Jacinto District, Marion Mt. Campground is one of the best camping sites in Southern California. Located in a beautiful mountain setting this site provides all the peace and tranquility a soul longs for.
TravelerYellow Post #2 – San Bernardino National Forest Secluded, free, first-come-first-served tent site tucked deep in the forest near Hemet, CA. No amenities—no toilet, water, or trash—so pack in and out. Fire ring and picnic table on-site. Shaded by mature trees with a dirt/sand/rock surface. Site fits up to 8 people and 2 vehicles.
Access road is rough and rocky but doable in dry conditions with a careful 2WD. Signage is limited—offline maps recommended. Site sits near a dry creek bed and has a short walk to a west-facing boulder with expansive views of the valley.
Wildlife includes deer, lizards, snakes, woodpeckers, and lots of squirrels. Mosquitoes come out at dusk—repellent is a must. Fire bans usually in effect during summer. Great for quiet retreats, hiking, light climbing, and off-grid solitude.
A rugged but rewarding forest stay for self-sufficient campers.
TravelerComfortable partial hookup sites, pet friendly, and nice people. Theres a dog park next door. The bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities work well (although coin only, no cards).
RangerVery clean, dog friendly ( with dog park) helpful nice staff, propane available, small playground and swimming pool, picnic tables and grills at each site
GuideNot a very attractive drive in. Lots and lots of trash in the shrubbery and fields along the highway. Reservation and check in was easy. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. The RV park itself is attractive and seems to be fairly well maintained. It seems there are two rv areas. A lower older area and an upper newer and more attractive area. We were in the older area. Site was gravel with a small concrete area. Unfortunately, no one there seems to care about the dog poop everywhere (not exaggerating!). We and the people behind us parking had to clean dog poop off our site before we could set up. When walking our dog we saw poop everywhere. Dog park was ok, but on the small side and would be better with a gravel base instead of the dirt (very, very dusty and results in a dirty, dusty dog). There is a huge field adjacent and owned by the rv park that you can walk and or run your dog. But also full of poop. Bathroom smaller, older in the lower area. Much nicer, more modern bathrooms in the newer area. Two laundry rooms but no front loaders and the older laundry room only had two washers and two dryers. Can use quarters or an app. Pool and spa seemed pretty popular but we didn’t use. Area could really use some lighting at night. Very dark with minimal lighting in the older section. Trash is picked up every morning if you leave outside your site.
GuideBeing reasonably close to our home base, we frequent this park with the family. Major grocery and shopping establishments are nearby, with Target directly across the street, In-n-Out, local parks, and the like. Our kids love the pool area, grandparents love the pickleball courts, and there are always fun activities to do throughout the year. Full-timers are friendly and inclusive of newcomers and passer-throughs. Dog parks are clean and located at either corner of the park. The entrance security kiosk is staffed 24/7, and they'll even help spot you while parking your rig. We cannot say enough good things about this place.
Check their website for events and specials.
GuideI had site 126 in the fields, corner site and lake view. This campground has a pool, splash pad, park, dog park and access to the lake. They also have a band on Saturday nights. The only bad part is they strictly enforce quiet time at 10pm. I felt like a kid being told to go to bed. I feel like on weekends people should be able to stay up late in front of their camper with low voices. Shouldn’t be hounded night after night! That was my only complaint.
GuideRV Park full of residence and full timers. Will accommodate one or more nights. Good place to recharge and do laundry. Everything looks mostly clean and the pool was nice too. Small dog park with real grass.
RangerThis campground was small, but cozy. They have an unheated pool (which looked a little dirty) no hot tub, and about 3 recreational rooms. One had a pool table with a comfy looking couch, and the other had tables for card playing.
There was a dog park outside, but not much more. There was a picnic table and a grill in just about every spot.
Water pressure was fantastic, and I got t-mobile cell service here.
San Bernardino National Forest camping ranges in elevation from 3,000 to 8,000 feet, creating distinct climate zones throughout the camping season. Summer temperatures typically reach 80°F at higher elevations while winter brings snow to many campsites above 6,000 feet. Forest service roads access both established facilities and remote dispersed sites where visitors can camp without developed amenities.
Hiking to mountain peaks: Access trailheads near San Gorgonio Campground for spectacular forest views. "San Gorgonio, aptly named for the famed crown peak near by, is a nice mix of family friendly and weekend escape. Due to the proximity to the high mountain peaks and desert, you get a very distinct feel of the Eastern Sierra," notes Nick L. in his review.
Mountain biking on forest trails: Pineknot provides excellent access to nearby mountain biking routes. "Pineknot is perfectly situated in Big Bear where you're in the woods but only a short walk to Snow Summit. This allows you a staging area to ride mountain bikes all day at Snow Summit and around the mountain but allows you the convenience to be camped nearby," explains Berton M.
Fishing at nearby lakes: Several campgrounds offer access to fishing spots within a short drive. "Close to Big Bear Lake for fishing. If not, Jenks Lake is just half-a-mile before the entrance to the campsite," mentions one visitor about the forest's water recreation opportunities.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Heart Bar Campground. "When I go camping, I like getting away from people, and Heart Bar is one of the campgrounds with bigger sites so we can do that easier. The sites are beautiful and clean, and there is a beautiful meadow to hike through," says Amy B.
Clean facilities: Maintained restrooms and grounds receive consistent praise. "The bathrooms are clean with flush toilets, along with soap and water sinks. There are many areas with water stations to fill up your containers," notes Shuree F. about Dogwood.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campers report deer and bird sightings from their sites. "We woke in the middle of the night to the local resident (a bear) tipping and subsequently going through her cooler," warns Jennifer D., reminding campers about proper food storage in bear country.
Road conditions to dispersed sites: High-clearance vehicles are recommended for many free camping areas. "Need high clearance or 4wd vehicle for a rough road but once you get to the top, the sites are great! Limited shade during middle of day but well worth the trip," explains Steve about Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites.
Fire regulations: Fire restrictions change seasonally, particularly during dry months. "Depending which site you have there's a picnic table. Not much shade on any of the sites so be prepared if going in the summer," notes Shannon C.
Cell service availability: Reception varies throughout the forest. "Verizon service is only 2 bars but I can still work. Full hookup. Some sites have better shade than others," reports Anneliese S. about connectivity in certain areas.
Pet-friendly alternatives: Most campgrounds welcome dogs with proper leashing. "This is a great campground for a weekend getaway with the family. The camp amenities are nice; clean bathrooms and showers on site," shares Jeff T. about Barton Flats Family Campground, a dog friendly campground in San Bernardino National Forest.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with open play areas and hiking trails. "There is a great trail off the backside of the campground as well. It can be a bit loud and the trees are tall and skinny so there's not a ton of privacy, but it's woodsy and beautiful," says Kate W.
Weather preparation: Mountain temperatures can change rapidly, especially at higher elevations. "It was mountainous, cool and peaceful. The campground was clean and the management personnel were helpful. We enjoyed a long weekend here and liked its easy access to trails," mentions Nate H.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Some campgrounds offer spaces for larger rigs. "The campsite was easy to find there are plenty of spots and they are level multiple spots for a class a 34 foot motorhome. I am far enough away where I don't hear everyone talking," reports Jesse W. about East Flats, another pet-friendly dispersed camping option in San Bernardino Forest.
Water availability: Most developed campgrounds provide water sources. "There's clean water, clean restrooms and showers. The showers go hot and cold in a second but this is a water conservation area so no big deal and they are free," notes Steve R.
Campsite access: Pay attention to specific directions as some campgrounds can be difficult to find. "A bit challenging to locate via Google Maps... Just go up (south) Summit Blvd, when you get to the parking lot of the ski resort, veer towards the left, and just past a concrete wall, you'll see the little Pineknot Campground sign attached to an aluminium pole," advises Colette K.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near San Bernardino National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near San Bernardino National Forest is Serrano with a 4.6-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near San Bernardino National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 257 dog-friendly camping locations near San Bernardino National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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