Established Camping
Fern Basin Campground
About
National Forest
San Bernardino National Forest
Overview
The picturesque Fern Basin Campground is a perfect escape from a busy lifestyle. It provides peace and quiet in the mountains of southern California as well as access to countless recreational opportunities. 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.
Recreation
Visitors to the area enjoy hiking on the Marion Mountain Trail, which leads to San Jacinto Peak. Views from the peak extend to the ocean and across the Palm Desert, as well as the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains on a clear day. The 11.8-mile Marion Mountain Trail is the shortest route up the mountain, but is also quite strenuous in areas.
Facilities
Due to an unanticipated water leak within the water distribution system, potable water is not currently available at the campground. Please bring ample water for drinking, cooking etc. Fern Basin campground offers about two dozen campsites for both tent and small RV / van camping. All campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are available within the campground.
Natural Features
The campground is located in a grove of mixed oaks and shrubs. A surrounding mixed conifer forest provides spotty shade for the campground. It is situated at an elevation of about 6,300 feet, in the mountains overlooking California's desert.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Bernardino, California, and about seven miles north of the small town of Idyllwild, which is known for its shops and restaurants.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
ScoutSite 8
If you are looking for the perfect get away Fern Basin site 8 is the spot. Most of the site is shaded and has a large table and fire pit ring. Tents pictured are a 6 person with screen room and 4 person dome. Plenty of room for tents and relatively flat and level. Overall great spot and would recommend to anyone who is looking to get away.
ScoutSite 4 is not a tent site, the entire site is on a 70 degree angle.
Nothing on the campsite page or reservation page about this site. It's entirely slanted. Definitely a small RV site..
LegendIf you can get a site, do it!
I really love Idyllwild and Fern Basin is one of the few campgrounds there. This is the definition of small mountain town so make sure to stop and check out the little coffee shops in "town". The campground is fairly small and off a pretty rugged dirt road, but it's worth it. I've stayed here a few times and it's always peaceful and quiet. This is a tenter's campground if you ask me. There's lots of hikes around the area - some steep, some like a dirt road. There's an area off the far end of the campground that has big boulders that you can climb up on for a perfect view of the sunset.
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Location
Fern Basin Campground is located in California
Directions
From Idyllwild, travel north on State Route 243 about 4 miles. Turn right at the campground sign and continue to Forest Service Road 4S02. Turn left and proceed less than a mile to an intersection. Continue straight on the Forest Service Road and turn left into the campground.
Address
P.O. Box 518
Idyllwild, CA 92549
Coordinates
33.7886111 N
116.7377778 W