The San Jacinto area features dramatic elevation changes, ranging from around 1,500 feet in the valleys to over 10,000 feet at San Jacinto Peak. This variation creates distinct camping microclimates, with temperature differences of 15-20°F between valley and mountain sites. Campgrounds in the region experience hot, dry summers in lower elevations while mountain sites maintain cooler conditions even during peak season.
What to do
Hiking trails nearby: At Marion Mountain, visitors access the Marion Mountain Trail directly from the campground. "Great area to explore and hike around right off the campground! The trails were relatively quiet so I would recommend taking a hike if you are looking for quiet and solitude," notes Isabelle S.
Fishing opportunities: Several lakes in the area provide fishing access for various skill levels. "The lake is stocked with fish throughout the year, but they require you to buy a riverside county lakes fishing permit for each day if you want to fish," explains Timothy A. from Lake Skinner Recreation Area.
Biking through scenic terrain: Bike-friendly paths exist throughout the region. A camper at Serrano mentions, "Beautiful, pristine campground with bike trails/walking paths around the lake. The town is bike friendly. Some road noise but quiet over night."
Water activities: Seasonal water features provide relief from the heat. At Lake Skinner, one visitor shares, "They have a super nice splash pad park that's no additional cost! There are lots of walking trails."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds. At Marion Mountain, a visitor reports, "We stayed in spot number 24 and it had a nice secluded feel to it. After walking around the entire campground most spots were very nice. We did find that the spots in the center lacked privacy."
Evening atmosphere: Launch Pointe Recreation Destination offers evening entertainment. "We stayed there for a weekend and had a great time taking the kids to the pool, and splash pad. The restaurant has great food and cold drinks. They had a band play while we were there," states Remmington.
Cleanliness standards: Most campers mention facility maintenance as a key factor. "Bathrooms and showers were clean! Had about 2 bars of Verizon service," reports Stephanie S. about Lake Skinner.
Proximity to services: Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes RV Resort provides convenience while maintaining a natural setting. "It wasn't far enough out to feel like in serene nature but still far to drive to anything. Well kept campground, enjoyed the mini golf (probably our favorite TT mini golf so far)," mentions Tina M.
What you should know
Elevation considerations: Higher elevation campgrounds experience significant temperature drops at night. "Weather was cold and windy but not too bad. Bring insulation for your water hose or have some type of method that will keep your water lines from freezing. Our water hose froze the first night," warns Donovan from Lake Hemet Campground.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service and WiFi vary dramatically between locations. "We had a spot next to the water which could have contributed to the infestation but at the same time a little more cleaning could also assist. There is no WiFi at this location and my Verizon cell service was choppy," reports Keisha D. at Wilderness Lakes RV Resort.
Seasonal closures: Many mountain facilities close during winter months. "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," notes Nicole W. about Serrano.
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife may visit campsites. "Be aware of coyotes they come out at night," cautions a camper at Thousand Trails Idyllwild.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Many glamping close to San Jacinto, California sites feature dedicated children's activities. "We love this campground. It's local to us but a great place to getaway with family. It's family friendly, great flat biking for kids, large dirt area used for parking during the Balloon and Wine festival that kids can play on and ride bikes in," shares Erin & Travis M. about Lake Skinner.
Water features: Seasonal splash pads add value for families with young children. "The pool looked really nice and was quite busy our entire stay," mentions a reviewer at Thousand Trails Idyllwild.
Educational opportunities: Some locations offer learning experiences nearby. "It's right across from the Discovery Center in Big Bear, which is where a couple fun hiking trails begin," explains a visitor to Serrano.
Pet policies: Most sites accommodate family pets with certain restrictions. "We took our RV here just for one night but we can't wait to go back. RV sites, tent sites and cabins. Has a resort feel with a cafe, clubhouse, horse back riding and more," reports Dawn at Thousand Trails Idyllwild.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV sites vary considerably in layout and amenities. "We Stayed In spot 338 and had absolutely no cell coverage for our Verizon phones. The Bathrooms and showers take a code to get in. Not sure what that's all about, they were clean," shares Time4Dirt about Wilderness Lakes.
Leveling challenges: Many campsites require extensive leveling equipment. "Our Site was not level at all. We carry a lot of leveling blocks and are not even close to level still nose down with 4 2x8s and Jack at max extension. Side to side level took one board under left side," reports an RVer at Thousand Trails Idyllwild.
Electrical capacity: Power availability affects RV site selection, particularly for larger units. "This park is first come / first served and they don't prohibit a 30amp rig from taking a 50amp site, so you can see the problem. Now don't get me wrong, we have been there 5 times in the last 2 years and will go some more, especially with the grandkids, but we have never been able to get in a 50amp site," explains david N. about Wilderness Lakes.
