Best Campgrounds near Yucaipa, CA
Yucaipa Regional Park provides full-hookup RV camping and tent sites in a developed setting with lakes, hiking trails, and recreational amenities. The San Bernardino National Forest borders the northern edge of the community, offering additional camping opportunities at established sites like Barton Flats, Serrano, and Heart Bar campgrounds. Most developed campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of amenities from primitive sites with vault toilets to facilities with showers and electrical hookups. Camping options range from urban park settings to mountain forest environments at elevations between 2,600 feet in Yucaipa to over 7,000 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Access to mountain campgrounds becomes limited during winter months when snowfall affects higher elevation sites. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with mountain locations typically open from May through October. "We've been here several times over the last few years and really enjoy a nice quiet place close to home," noted one camper about Yucaipa Regional Park, which remains open year-round. Reservations are recommended for most established campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Campgrounds closer to Yucaipa tend to have more amenities including water hookups, dump stations, and sometimes showers, while those at higher elevations in the national forest generally offer more basic facilities but provide cooler temperatures and mountain scenery.
Campers report high satisfaction with Yucaipa Regional Park's spacious sites and recreational opportunities. A visitor mentioned, "This park is beautifully maintained. Full hookup. Some sites have better shade than others." The park features fishing lakes, disc golf, and a water park during summer months, with additional fees for some activities. Campsites throughout the region vary in privacy and amenities, with national forest campgrounds typically offering more seclusion and natural settings. Noise levels depend largely on location, with city-adjacent sites experiencing more ambient sound compared to more remote mountain campgrounds. Wildlife viewing opportunities increase at higher elevations, though bears are generally not a concern in lower elevation sites near Yucaipa proper.
