Established Camping
Boulder Basin
About
National Forest
San Bernardino National Forest
Overview
Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. 4 Wheel Drive is recommended. The road is currently a high-priority for maintenance, which should be occuring in June, 2023. The San Bernardino National Forest is submitting a proposal to increase fees at various sites across the Forest and is seeking public input. Please visit the https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for more information and to submit comments regarding this proposal. Boulder Basin Campground offers solitude and primitive camping in a scenic mountain landscape. The area provides ample recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, boulder climbing and more. Black Mountain Road, which accesses Boulder Basin Campground, is a narrow rough dirt road which may not be suitable for all vehicles.
Recreation
The campground provides access to a number of trailheads, including the Black Mountain Trail, a 3.6-mile, moderately strenuous hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trail that travels through the forested slopes of Black Mountain. The trail provides excellent views of the Banning Pass and Mt. San Gorgonio. The trail provides access to the famed Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which begins at the Mexico border in Southern California and leads to Washington border of Canada.
Facilities
The campground offers multiple single-family campsites, available for tent and small RV / van camping. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are also provided.
Natural Features
The campground is located in a mixed conifer forest, which provides ample shade throughout the day. It is situated at an elevation of about 7,300 feet. Roads to and within the campground are not paved.
Nearby Attractions
This group site is located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Bernardino, California, and 14 miles north of Idyllwild, where fuel and a variety of small town shops and restaurants are available.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Perfect solitude
Another fabulous time at a wonderful campground! We prefer ones that little harder to get to that offer more solitude. The views from this campground are spectacular. Campground itself doesn’t offer to much other than basic which is fine with us. So much to do and explore here that we will be back again!
- (7) View All
Love it!
Love camping here via both tent camping and van life. Beautiful surroundings and nature all around. Tricky to get to and recommend 4WD/AWD vehicles. Trailers would be tough on the dirt switch backs. Bathrooms are gnarly but tolerable if you’re in and out quickly. But they are clean and stocked, it’s just the stench! No water so bring plenty of your own. No open fires this time of the year but nonetheless enjoyable and plenty of stars to be seen. Plenty of bouldering to be had in the area. Super fun times! Can’t wait to go back!
Popular campground with easy access to bouldering
This campground fills up quickly with families, hikers, and boulderers. Pretty affordable at only $10 a night. You can also camp at nearby yellow post sites for free. There is bouldering available right in the campground - doesn't get much more convenient than that! Hiking the trails a few minutes outside the campground also brings you to breathtaking views. Each site has a table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets are available. Although water is sometimes available, it is not potable and spigots are off during droughts. So make sure to pack enough water ahead of time.
Location
Boulder Basin is located in California
Directions
From Idyllwild, travel north for about 8 miles on State Route 243. Turn right onto Black Mountain Road/Forest Route 4S01 and continue about 5 miles to the campground. Black Mountain Road is an unpaved forest road, not recommended for low clearance vehicles or trailers.
Address
PO Box 518
Idyllwild, CA 92549
Coordinates
33.8263889 N
116.7538889 W