San Bernardino National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
Outdoors
Camping near San Bernardino
Campgrounds and camping areas near San Bernardino on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Within 30 miles (19)
Dogwood
Dogwood Campground is a family-friendly facility located in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest. All sites must be reserved to enjoy the area's scenic surroundings and plentiful recreational opportunities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
North Shore (Ca)
North Shore Campground is a quiet place to camp, away from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Fishermans Group
This campground is Hike In only. Fisherman's Group Campground is a semi-primitive campground reached by a 2.5-mile hike into the mountains of southern California.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Wildlife viewing
Tent Peg Group
Tent Peg Group Campground offers a semi-primitive location for an extended family or large group outing. The area provides easy access to many off-road vehicle trails.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Applewhite Campground
Located three miles north of the Lytle Creek Ranger Station, the campground provides an easy get-away. Trees surround the campsites and Lytle Creek flows across the street at Applewhite Picnic Area. Please use caution crossing the road.
- Camping
Crab Flats
Crab Flats Campground is an off-roaders paradise, with plenty of off-road vehicle trails nearby for both beginner and experienced riders.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Green Valley
Green Valley Campground is located near Arrowbear in the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Shady Cove Group Campground
Shady Cove Group Campground is a beautiful place to camp within the Children's National Forest. It provides access to numerous trails and a lookout tower, with a climbing area nearby.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Bluff Mesa Group Camp
Bluff Mesa Group Campground is conveniently located for campers to enjoy all the beautiful Big Bear Lake area has to offer. A variety of trailheads are nearby, leading visitors through the scenic forest that surrounds the campground.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Juniper Flats
Juniper Flats covers 101,272 acres of mixed public and private lands. Located between the Mojave Desert and the forests of the San Bernardino Mountains, Juniper Flats hosts a unique mixture of plants from both environments.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
Boulder Group Camp
Boulder Group Campground is a great place to bring an extended family or large group for a relaxing camping excursion.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Horse Springs Campground
For those visitors who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Big Bear valley, Horse Springs campground offers a secluded escape unlike many others on the San Bernardino National Forest.
- Camping
Ironwood Group Camp
Ironwood Group Campground offers a secluded place for an extended family or large group getaway in the mountains of Southern California.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground
Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground is a beautiful place to take the horses on a camping outing.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Grays Peak Group Camp
Grays Peak Group Campground is conveniently located for campers to enjoy all that the Big Bear Lake area has to offer. Many trailheads are nearby, leading visitors through the scenic forest that surrounds the campground.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
Hanna Flat
Hanna Flat Campground is a family-friendly facility nestled in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California. It offers access to a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities and a beautiful location to enjoy nature.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Council
The Council Group Campground is a great place to enjoy a large outdoor gathering with just about everything the San Bernardino National Forest has to offer.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
Prado Dam
This San Bernardino County Parks managed area is an oasis within one of the fastest growing areas of Southern California. Riverside County and the City of Corona also provide recreation facilities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (10)
El Mirage OHV Area
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
San Gorgonio Wilderness
This wilderness is part of the eastern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains with topography rapidly changing from low, rolling foothills and canyons to steep, rugged mountains. Elevations range from 2,300 to 5,500 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Sand to Snow National Monument
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Accessible Swimming
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Bighorn Mountain Wilderness
The north-central portion of this Wilderness area holds the rugged Bighorn Mountains and the eastern foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Johnson Valley OHV Area
Click here for the latest information concerning upcoming military training and closures of the Shared Use Area. Overview Johnson Valley is a varied landscape for the off-highway vehicle driver.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Recreational Vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Angeles National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness
The Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 33,610 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Barstow
The Ord Mountain Route Network is south of Barstow and links the Stoddard Valley and Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Areas, also known as Open Areas. Travel within the network is limited to posted open routes.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Beauty Mountain Wilderness
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wilderness
Rodman Mountains Wilderness
Colorful escarpments, white mountains splotched with red and black, a maze of canyons, and majestic bajadas come together in Rodman Mountains Wilderness.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wilderness
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown San Bernardino. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near San Bernardino
- Hiking near San Bernardino
- Fishing near San Bernardino
- Boating and kayaking near San Bernardino
- Biking and mountain biking near San Bernardino
- Picnic spots near San Bernardino
- Horseback riding near San Bernardino
- Wildlife viewing and birding near San Bernardino
- Swimming holes and lakes near San Bernardino
- Parks in San Bernardino
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for camping near San Bernardino?
San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service), about 2 miles southeast of San Bernardino as the crow flies. Next are Dogwood (10 mi) and North Shore (Ca) (13 mi).
When is the best time for camping near San Bernardino?
Based on San Bernardino’s average highs, October–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Can I reserve a campsite near San Bernardino?
14 of the 29 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.