Canyon camping around San Dimas provides access to multiple terrains within a short drive, from lakefront sites at 900 feet elevation to mountain campgrounds reaching 2,500 feet. The region gets approximately 280 sunny days per year with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 45°F. The area transitions between coastal influence and inland desert conditions.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Pack water shoes for Bonita Falls trail near Bonita Ranch Campground, a moderate 1.5-mile round trip hike. "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more," shares Jessica P.
Mountain biking trails: Access trail networks at China Camp State Park, which offers connections to wider Marin County routes. "Located on the west side of the San Rafael/Richmond Bridge, on San Francisco Bay, this park is extremely popular with mountain bikers. There are definitely better mountain biking trails in Marin but keep in mind that the bar is very high for mountain biking in Marin," notes Nathaniel S.
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at Puddingstone Lake near Canyon RV Park, where catfish and bass are stocked regularly. "Great place to stop and watch the bread float," mentions Tristan H. about Bonelli Bluffs, referring to the popular fishing technique locals use.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Sites along running water at West Fork Trail Campground offer natural white noise and cooler temperatures. "Perfect stopping point for backpacking. Went here in May and we were the only 2 here. Plenty of water flowing and tree cover from the sun," says Stacy C. about West Fork Trail Campground.
Convenient RV amenities: Full hookup sites with 30/50 amp service at many locations around San Dimas. "A little pricey but very nice facility. All hookups 30/50 amp. Cable TV. There's a pool. A tent area. Some spaces monumentally better than others," reports Dennis B. about Bonelli Bluffs.
Proximity to attractions: Many campgrounds offer easy access to major Southern California destinations. "Perfect spot to stay in central orange county. Nice amenities. Clean bathrooms. Well functioning rv hook ups. Everything worked as planned," writes Scott O. about Anaheim Harbor RV Park.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Check current fire regulations as they change seasonally and are strictly enforced. At Millard Trail Camp, "The fire ban has been lifted so you can have a fire. Each fire pit had wood left at it so you didn't have to go searching for campfirewood," notes one camper about Millard Trail Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secure as wildlife encounters are common. "Brave raccoons. Yellow jackets are pesky. Trees for hammocks," warns Laura F. about China Camp State Park, while another camper mentions, "I didn't see any bears although there was an animal outside my tent at one point in the night I could hear him nosing around."
Weekend crowding: Reserve well ahead for summer weekends as sites fill quickly. "This place is heavily used for day camping and hiking. There's not a lot of privacy because there's always lots of people passing by who are hiking and biking," explains one camper about Millard Trail Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Short hiking options: Choose family-friendly trails under 1 mile for young children. "The waterfall trail is nothing but shade provided by the trees foliage and the creek kept our dogs cool as they would jump in and out of the small pools," describes Chris O. about trails near Millard Trail Camp.
Swimming areas: Seek out campgrounds with pools or designated swimming spots during hot months. "I am camping with my husband and 3 kids and our puppy. The hosts are friendly, cheap firewood, china beach village is just down the road and perfect to explore and swim," reports Veronica H. about Canyon RV Park.
Tent camping with amenities: Find sites with basic services for families new to camping. "We chose Bonelli for our shakedown trip in our new trailer (first time RVers). SO quiet. Numerous residents, but spots are mostly keep up nicely. Our rental spot has 3 trees, a picnic table, a firepit, level parking and full hookups," shares Aostara K.
Tips from RVers
Space considerations: Check site dimensions carefully, especially for larger rigs. "Spaces are very tight. Good for 1 nite only stay. Staff was friendly and place is clean but not much room to maneuver a lg. rv. in," cautions Lawrence P. about Fairplex RV Park.
Off-season advantages: Consider visiting during shoulder seasons for less crowding and better rates. "We will be back for sure, especially since it's less than an hour from home," notes one RVer about proximity and convenience at Bonelli Bluffs.
Utility requirements: Bring extra-length hoses and cables for some sites. "A little tight fit but everybody here is pretty friendly there's a few downfalls for some of the spots. Very pleased with it very noisy with the traffic going by if that's where your spot is by the road but away from the road it's not so bad," explains Sara H. about glamping close to San Dimas, California at Fairplex RV Park.
