Best Tent Camping near San Bernardino National Forest
San Bernardino National Forest provides diverse tent camping options across its mountainous terrain, from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. Thomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites offers free tent sites with minimal amenities, while Mill Creek Dispersed Camping provides tent-only areas accessible via dirt roads. Several backpacking destinations like Dry Lake Backpacking Campground and Halfway Camp offer more remote experiences for hikers willing to trek into the wilderness.
Tent sites throughout the forest vary significantly in accessibility and facilities. Many dispersed camping areas require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles to navigate rough dirt roads with steep inclines and washboard surfaces. Yellow post sites typically include fire rings but lack water sources, requiring campers to pack in all supplies. Seasonal fire restrictions are common during summer and fall months, and permits are required for wilderness camping at locations like Dry Lake. As one camper noted about Thomas Hunting Grounds, "The drive was extremely easy with a couple of rocky areas that made me slow down to 5mph and under to not damage the bottom of my car."
The tent camping experience offers considerable solitude, especially at sites farther from main roads. Most tent areas feature partial tree cover providing morning shade, though midday exposure can be significant at higher elevations. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer frequently visiting campsites in less trafficked areas. Temperatures fluctuate dramatically between day and night, particularly at higher elevations where campers should prepare for unexpectedly cold conditions. A reviewer of Dry Lake Backpacking Campground warned, "Although it was May and the weather was beautiful at sea level, it was cold up here! There was snow on the ground but the air was the coldest I've ever felt."
