Discover the best RV campgrounds near San Bernardino, California with fishing

United States
—
California
—
San Bernardino

90% (1274 reviews)

Popular camping styles for San Bernardino

Dog-friendly getaways

Under $50

100%

(3)

Back Acre Hills Farm

12 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Hemet, CA

Almost 20 acres of peacefulness! Come enjoy the starry night skies and the sound of nature. The moon lights up the land with such an amazing brightness! The crow of the roosters will wake you up in the calm of the morning, and the slight breeze is so refreshing. You might even get sneak peak of the hot air ballons taking off from the nearby wineries. All our spots are drying camping ONLY. Picnic tables are available for use as well as a few firepits (during Fall/Winter season only). BBQ grills are allowed. Trash is to be packed out as it was packed in, we do offer a dumpster for your rubbish in front of the 2nd entrance, remember wildlife lives on the property and their safety is very important so we do request not to feed any animals or leave food out. We are so proud of our lil ranch and want all to experience a peaceful night/weekend/week away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday life. We also offer an animal experience, for an additional fee, if desired.

100%

(8)

Cozy Corral RV Hook-ups

1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Lucerne Valley, CA

Serene RV Hook-up with Full Amenities in Lucerne Valley. Welcome to our tranquil retreat in Lucerne Valley, offering the perfect RV hook-up experience for off-roaders and adventurers seeking a peaceful oasis. Nestled amidst the picturesque desert landscape, our property provides a serene getaway with essential amenities, including water, electricity, and a convenient sewer dump station. Prepare to unwind and rejuvenate while enjoying the beauty of the Mojave Desert.

Hot Spring camp

31 sites · RVs, Tents161 acres · Apple Valley, CA

This off the grid property is the perfect place to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. Nestled in the mountains of the high desert, we invite you to come stay in a peaceful serene setting where nature and wildlife encompasses you on this rural property surrounded by 1,000s of acres of undeveloped BLM and US Forestry land. Come escape from the city and relax at a place where you can enjoy yourself amongst others or be by yourself in your own private campsite. With 160 acres, there is lots of room for your large group to spread out or find a more private site to seclude yourself! Set up your campsite and park your vehicle at any of our developed sites that have a patch of turf, picnic tables and fire pits (grills available). Flushing toilets, pits toilets, potable water, and showers on site. The 40 minute hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is well worth the effort, and there's so much more natural beauty to see as you explore miles of hiking and OHV trails nearby and right on the property. The creek water in the Deep Creek canyon flows all year around, as does the hot spring source water that feeds the 6 creek-side hot pools, ranging in temperatures between 90F-108F. Weather can be extreme at times, with Winter temps ranging from 20*F to 40* F, and Summer temps reaching 112F+. The hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is fairly steep and can be difficult for some people, especially in warm weather, so everyone’s physical fitness needs to be considered when deciding to hike to the hot springs with pets, children, elderly people, or out-of-shape/over-weight people in your group. Although children are permitted on the property, we do not recommend bringing them due to occasional nudity that may be seen in the area and the degree of difficulty for the hike. In order to be prepared with the correct gear to make the hike to the hot springs and know the USFS rules that apply to the area, please educate yourself before coming by visiting the USFS website page for the Deep Creek area. Know before you go! The Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp is part of the historic Bowen Ranch property that was homesteaded in 1924. This property has been the camping and parking area for the Deep Creek Hot Springs for nearly a century. The Bowen Ranch property is under new ownership as of 2020 and we welcome everyone to come visit! Generally, we always have sites available and reservations are not necessary, but reserved sites are located in a more private area set aside for Hipcamp reservations with separate facilities from the general camping area. See our webpage deepcreekhotspringscampground.com for detailed driving directions to our property with the official trailhead located right on site.

63%

(8)

Nalas Lake Play

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Lake Elsinore, CA

Welcome to Lake Elsinore!! Im excited to be your host and help you make some great memories! This land does have a slope. But it also has a flap spot ontop perfect for camping with some amazing lake views and some gorgeous night skys. The stars feel so close to you that you think you can just reach out and grab them! There is a paved road that leads to the top of the street which is the most recommended way to get to this property since the road that google maps gives you is not paved and its too narrow for some cars. You are close to homes and stores. But your also secluded away to give you some privacy. Making you feel at one with nature. This small town is sourrended by loving people making it a jewel not just for the views and lake. This land is perfect for camping tents, Glamping tents, 4x4 Car Campers, and even small RVs(There is a small slope to get up into the property so make sure your RV is capable). The Property is just 3 minutes away from Lake Elsinore, here you can fish, swim, BBq, and many more activity that the lake offers. Being so close to it makes you want to be out there all day and come back at night to enjoy your night shows on the property with the stars. The property seize is 0.11 acres which is 4,791sq Feet. Only about 800sq Feet has a slope the rest is just flat land ontop. That gives you 3,800+ sq feet of land to just enjoy and have fun on!

High Desert Hot Spring Hideout

17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Lake Arrowhead, CA

Nestled in the mountains of the high desert, we invite you to come stay in a peaceful serene setting, where you can relax & recharge with us here in the desert and release yourself from the burdens currently placed on you for a brief moment. Staying on this rural 160 acre slice of nature allows one to escape the sounds and stresses of the city and immerse yourself in nature, where beautiful natural desert scenery and mountain views surround you. Bordering 1000's of acres of natural undeveloped BLM and USFS land. The property's rural location provides abundant opportunities to view unique and spectacular wildlife right from your campsite or on one of the numerous hiking and OHV trails in the area. The 40 minute hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is well worth the effort, and there's so much more natural beauty to see as you explore miles of hiking and OHV trails nearby and right on the property. Weather can be extreme at times, with Winter temps ranging from 20*F to 40* F, and Summer temps peaking at 112F. The cold creek water in the Deep Creek canyon flows all year around, and the 6 creek-side hot spring pools are always full and consistently hot all year around, ranging in temperatures between 90F-108F. The hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is fairly steep and can be difficult for some people, especially in warm weather. In order to be prepared with the correct gear to make this hike and know the USFS rules that apply to the area, please educate yourself before coming by visiting the USFS website page for the Deep Creek area and our webpage for the Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground for detailed driving directions to the official trailhead located right on our property. You won't get lost if you park on our property and hike from the trailhead, so make sure you go to the right address. Know before you go! Generally, reservations are not necessary to set up a tent site, but we have a more private area set aside for hipcamp reservations that has separate facilities from the general camping area. Although children are permitted on the property, we do not recommend bringing children due to occasional nudity that may be seen in the area and the degree of difficulty for the hike. The hike to the hot springs is fairly difficult and everyone’s physical fitness needs to be considered when deciding to take pets, or have children, elderly people, or out-of-shape/over-weight people in your group.

12 top RV sites near San Bernardino with fishing

88%

(64)

High Desert Hot Spring Hideout

17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Lake Arrowhead, CA

Nestled in the mountains of the high desert, we invite you to come stay in a peaceful serene setting, where you can relax & recharge with us here in the desert and release yourself from the burdens currently placed on you for a brief moment. Staying on this rural 160 acre slice of nature allows one to escape the sounds and stresses of the city and immerse yourself in nature, where beautiful natural desert scenery and mountain views surround you. Bordering 1000's of acres of natural undeveloped BLM and USFS land. The property's rural location provides abundant opportunities to view unique and spectacular wildlife right from your campsite or on one of the numerous hiking and OHV trails in the area. The 40 minute hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is well worth the effort, and there's so much more natural beauty to see as you explore miles of hiking and OHV trails nearby and right on the property. Weather can be extreme at times, with Winter temps ranging from 20*F to 40* F, and Summer temps peaking at 112F. The cold creek water in the Deep Creek canyon flows all year around, and the 6 creek-side hot spring pools are always full and consistently hot all year around, ranging in temperatures between 90F-108F. The hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is fairly steep and can be difficult for some people, especially in warm weather. In order to be prepared with the correct gear to make this hike and know the USFS rules that apply to the area, please educate yourself before coming by visiting the USFS website page for the Deep Creek area and our webpage for the Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground for detailed driving directions to the official trailhead located right on our property. You won't get lost if you park on our property and hike from the trailhead, so make sure you go to the right address. Know before you go! Generally, reservations are not necessary to set up a tent site, but we have a more private area set aside for hipcamp reservations that has separate facilities from the general camping area. Although children are permitted on the property, we do not recommend bringing children due to occasional nudity that may be seen in the area and the degree of difficulty for the hike. The hike to the hot springs is fairly difficult and everyone’s physical fitness needs to be considered when deciding to take pets, or have children, elderly people, or out-of-shape/over-weight people in your group.

Holcomb Valley Ranch

45 sites · RVs, Tents411 acres · Fawnskin, CA

Holcomb Valley Ranch invites you to kick back and relax on our private, 400+ acre ranch in the San Bernardino Mountains. Centered around a 100+ acre meadow, filled with horses in summer months and surrounded by thousands of acres of mountainous National Forest. Just 15 minutes from Big Bear Lake - a large recreational, fresh-water lake for summer swimming, boating, skiing, fishing and other super fun water activities. The Ranch feels remote and private. Yet is only four miles to the town of Big Bear with shopping and restaurants. Also in close proximity to incredible rock climbing at the Pinnacles, seemingly endless hiking and biking and some pretty epic off-roading 4x4 trails. Each campsite is approximately one acre, and generously-distanced from neighboring campers. Amenities include its own fire ring with grilling grate and picnic table(s). The campsites are both cozy enough for 2 or spacious enough for large groups and can easily accommodate a mix of RVs, camper vans and tents. From June to October the 100+ area open meadow is filled with horses grazing and galloping about (please don't pet or feed!) A four-seasons destination, the Ranch has year-round experiences with warm summers and snowy winters. An excellent basecamp, within close proximity to the lake, ski slopes, Pinnacles, hiking/biking and off-roading trails. After a day filled with adventure or ultimate relaxation, be sure to enjoy the breath-taking sunsets over the meadow. The evenings blanket guests with a sea of stars. Toast up some s’mores and warm up some hot-coco over a beautiful, crackling campfire. Remember the s’mores and always follow the “Leave No Trace” principles. There are large trash bins by the entrance. We look forward to hosting you at the Ranch! Please note: OHV’s are allowed. They count as one of the allowed vehicles per campsite and must adhere to the speed limit (10mph) and remain on established camp roads while on the property. They may not be driven from 8pm to 8am. It is strictly forbidden to ride your vehicles through the forest, meadow or off any established roads on or off property. Please research which of the surrounding forestry roads allow for your vehicle type to be driven on. Campsites on the west side of the meadow (F, G & H sites) are partially accessed by a forestry road that does not allow dirt bikes. Horses: The horses which may be roaming the meadow during your stay are not property of Holcomb Valley Ranch. When horses are present, guests and their pets are prohibited from entering the meadow. Please do not approach, interact, feed or touch the horses. This is for your safety and the safety of the horses. Do, however, take lots of photos! They make a perfect backdrop:)

Hot Spring camp

31 sites · RVs, Tents161 acres · Apple Valley, CA

This off the grid property is the perfect place to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. Nestled in the mountains of the high desert, we invite you to come stay in a peaceful serene setting where nature and wildlife encompasses you on this rural property surrounded by 1,000s of acres of undeveloped BLM and US Forestry land. Come escape from the city and relax at a place where you can enjoy yourself amongst others or be by yourself in your own private campsite. With 160 acres, there is lots of room for your large group to spread out or find a more private site to seclude yourself! Set up your campsite and park your vehicle at any of our developed sites that have a patch of turf, picnic tables and fire pits (grills available). Flushing toilets, pits toilets, potable water, and showers on site. The 40 minute hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is well worth the effort, and there's so much more natural beauty to see as you explore miles of hiking and OHV trails nearby and right on the property. The creek water in the Deep Creek canyon flows all year around, as does the hot spring source water that feeds the 6 creek-side hot pools, ranging in temperatures between 90F-108F. Weather can be extreme at times, with Winter temps ranging from 20*F to 40* F, and Summer temps reaching 112F+. The hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is fairly steep and can be difficult for some people, especially in warm weather, so everyone’s physical fitness needs to be considered when deciding to hike to the hot springs with pets, children, elderly people, or out-of-shape/over-weight people in your group. Although children are permitted on the property, we do not recommend bringing them due to occasional nudity that may be seen in the area and the degree of difficulty for the hike. In order to be prepared with the correct gear to make the hike to the hot springs and know the USFS rules that apply to the area, please educate yourself before coming by visiting the USFS website page for the Deep Creek area. Know before you go! The Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp is part of the historic Bowen Ranch property that was homesteaded in 1924. This property has been the camping and parking area for the Deep Creek Hot Springs for nearly a century. The Bowen Ranch property is under new ownership as of 2020 and we welcome everyone to come visit! Generally, we always have sites available and reservations are not necessary, but reserved sites are located in a more private area set aside for Hipcamp reservations with separate facilities from the general camping area. See our webpage deepcreekhotspringscampground.com for detailed driving directions to our property with the official trailhead located right on site.

Lakeshore Retreat

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Lake Elsinore, CA

Enjoy a private lakefront camping area on Lake Elsinore. You will never get tired of the beautiful sunsets, night sky, or all the water-sports on the lake. Historic downtown is just minutes away where you will find restaurants, and stores all within walking distance. Perfect place for a basecamp for nearby hiking, biking, off-roading. Amenities include private dock, potable water, deluxe porta-potty, fire ring, 2 picnic tables(under a 10' x 10' canopy with water mister), and some shady trees🌴

Farm Retreat with Calf Cuddling

3 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Wildomar, CA

At Howe Ranch, we provide more than just a farm stay; we offer a healing, transformative experience that teaches relaxation and rejuvenation through profound connections with our gentle, trained farm animals. Baby animal alert! We are excited to share the arrival of our sweet Highland calf, MaryLou, who, along our precious little Scottish Highland calf Petunia is loves cow cuddles and bottle feeding from visitors. They already learned to give cow kisses! All of our gentle micro and mini cows are known to provide comfort to visitors dealing with anxiety and stress. Whether it’s hugging or grooming them, meditating with our mini goats or flock, every interaction is designed to soothe and inspire. Proceeds from HipCamp directly support the feed and care for our farm animals, of which many are rescues (501c and private). In other news, Winter Wonderland at Howe Ranch is near! Starting in early November, the farm transforms into cozy, rustic Holiday experience with photo opportunities to make memories! Important: By making a booking request you agree that you have read the listing in its entirety and agreed. INCLUDED IN YOUR FARM STAY: 1. A personalized farm animal encounter on the evening of your arrival day and participation in the morning animal care routine 2. Unique learning experiences, and opportunities to relax with the gentle barn animals outside of the care routine times 3. Organic chicken and duck eggs for breakfast 4. Clean restroom in barn with dish washing capabilities (shower is in the pool area/Extra) 5. Free use of the outdoor camp kitchen with 2 propane stoves and basic cooking supplies (must be cleaned after use) 6. Free use of the BBQ with utensils (BYO charcoal) 7. Free optional use of camping equipment (chairs, canopy, small mats) 8. A large safe space for children to play in with toys and games in the 80 ft. x 40 ft. sand camp 9. Pool season is over but you can request a free shower pass (the hot outdoor shower is in the pool venue by the farm house) or add on a 2-Hour Hot Tub session. Go to Extras to explore this option. 10. Access to other "Extras" such as electric and water hookups, and extra parking The overnight farm stay experience is generally only available on limited Fridays of the year from 2:00 p.m. until Saturday 1:00 p.m. Please do not instant book Saturdays and other days of the week/weekend, as we have regular activities at the farm the make the camp unavailable. UPCOMING LONGER STAY OPPORTUNITIES: Winter Wonderland Camp: November 11 - November 24 If you would like to visit with us other times for longer or during the week, please inquire first if we have the capacity to accommodate (no instant booking, please). Another popular way to experience our farm animals one on one is the Farm Animal Encounter, which you can book through our website. This Experience is facilitated and takes about 50 - 90 minutes depending on the size of your group. $30/guest, guests under 2 years of age free. Group discount for groups of 7+. DETAILS ON FARMER FOR THE DAY OVERNIGHT CAMP: SELF-SUFFICIENT GUEST POLICY Due to our daily workload, we can only host independent guests who are comfortable exploring the listing details and utilizing available resources on their own. Please note that: * Our personalized animal tour is guided, but guests will learn to relax around the animals independently after the tour. * The camping stay is self-facilitated, meaning the hosts are not available to entertain or assist your family members beyond the provided information and scheduled tour. ABOUT THE AREA: Nestled on just under 4 foothill acres backing against the wilderness of the Santa Rosa Plateau, but only 2 minutes from shopping, coffee, and dining, our small, veteran owned farm with a private petting zoo opportunity provides a charming and picturesque setting that encompasses the essence of rustic hospitality. It is generally hot in the area during the day June to October, but cool at night and there are lots of fun things to do in the area. Please reference our VISITOR GUIDE on thehoweranch.com and linked to in the photo section here. OUR POLICY ON PRICING and INTEGRITY We’ve encountered an increasing number of inquiries where guests try to pressure us into lowering our prices or dispute the value of our services (i.e. pricing of "Extras," last minute cancellation refund requests). While we understand that the current economy might be influencing this behavior, we want to make it clear that such actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated as our services are priced equitably, ensuring that all guests contribute the same amount for the experiences we offer.

99%

(76)

Rock & Tree

17 sites · RVs, Tents36 acres · Perris, CA

It's so nice to "meet you" my name is Taryn and my hubby's name is Anson. We are parents to two-year-old twins, so saying we have our hands full is an understatement. Anson is a folk and blues musician and has traveled all around the U.S. playing his music and I work for a children's book company. One day, we decided that we wanted to live the rest of our lives hosting live music, and events and that's how Rock & Tree began. As the idea grew, we wanted to create an Open Canvas so that the guest could dream up what they wanted on our stage. We moved to the Inland Empire from Santa Monica, in 2017 with the dream of building an open canvas event space out of sustainable, re purposed and natural materials. Our mission is help enrich the culture of Perris, CA by providing a unique venue that takes you away from the hustle and bustle and takes you to a wonderland of nature surrounded by rocks and eucalyptus trees. Anson and I continue to build everything ourselves with the help of our friends and family every now and again. Our process is that we source as much lumber using the dead Eucalyptus trees we have here on the 36 acre property and we are constantly trying to come up with innovative ways to use recycled and donated materials in the venue. During the pandemic, we turned our venue into a campground so we could open up the venue to people who needed to get out into nature. We are now open for daily camping and private events. You can follow our journey on our Instagram.

Back Acre Hills Farm

12 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Hemet, CA

Almost 20 acres of peacefulness! Come enjoy the starry night skies and the sound of nature. The moon lights up the land with such an amazing brightness! The crow of the roosters will wake you up in the calm of the morning, and the slight breeze is so refreshing. You might even get sneak peak of the hot air ballons taking off from the nearby wineries. All our spots are drying camping ONLY. Picnic tables are available for use as well as a few firepits (during Fall/Winter season only). BBQ grills are allowed. Trash is to be packed out as it was packed in, we do offer a dumpster for your rubbish in front of the 2nd entrance, remember wildlife lives on the property and their safety is very important so we do request not to feed any animals or leave food out. We are so proud of our lil ranch and want all to experience a peaceful night/weekend/week away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday life. We also offer an animal experience, for an additional fee, if desired.

Cozy Corral RV Hook-ups

1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Lucerne Valley, CA

Serene RV Hook-up with Full Amenities in Lucerne Valley. Welcome to our tranquil retreat in Lucerne Valley, offering the perfect RV hook-up experience for off-roaders and adventurers seeking a peaceful oasis. Nestled amidst the picturesque desert landscape, our property provides a serene getaway with essential amenities, including water, electricity, and a convenient sewer dump station. Prepare to unwind and rejuvenate while enjoying the beauty of the Mojave Desert.

Nalas Lake Play

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Lake Elsinore, CA

Welcome to Lake Elsinore!! Im excited to be your host and help you make some great memories! This land does have a slope. But it also has a flap spot ontop perfect for camping with some amazing lake views and some gorgeous night skys. The stars feel so close to you that you think you can just reach out and grab them! There is a paved road that leads to the top of the street which is the most recommended way to get to this property since the road that google maps gives you is not paved and its too narrow for some cars. You are close to homes and stores. But your also secluded away to give you some privacy. Making you feel at one with nature. This small town is sourrended by loving people making it a jewel not just for the views and lake. This land is perfect for camping tents, Glamping tents, 4x4 Car Campers, and even small RVs(There is a small slope to get up into the property so make sure your RV is capable). The Property is just 3 minutes away from Lake Elsinore, here you can fish, swim, BBq, and many more activity that the lake offers. Being so close to it makes you want to be out there all day and come back at night to enjoy your night shows on the property with the stars. The property seize is 0.11 acres which is 4,791sq Feet. Only about 800sq Feet has a slope the rest is just flat land ontop. That gives you 3,800+ sq feet of land to just enjoy and have fun on!

96%

(38)

Skyline Mountain

2 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · CA

This little farm is being brought back to life! Once part of an 160 acre avocado farm now it is a 15 acre little slice of heaven purchased in 2019. Previously the farm had been let go and now our duty is to get it back in shape. We are making steady progress and fall in love with the land more everyday. Currently we are also planting about an acre of lavender which should be a beautiful backdrop come 2024. Time up here gives you a chance to unwind, unplug, and explore some remaining wildlife in southern California. Come and join us!

83%

(15)

Big Bear Foothill Desert Camp

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Lucerne Valley, CA

Wide open land on private family property.Learn more about this land:10 acre private property on wide open land in the high desert at the foothill of Big Bear Mountain. Great spot for camping, bonfires, stargazing, shooting, and riding dirt bikes/ATVs/ off-road. Central location! 30 min up the road to Big Bear Mountain, 1 hour to Joshua Tree national Park, and an hour and a half to Palm Springs. Perfect Cheap alternative to stay by Big Bear mountain/ lake/ resorts and near the fun activities! Biking, hiking, climbing, boating, and in the winter skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and snow!

98%

(83)

Zephyr Mountain Avocado Grove

3 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Wildomar, CA

The area was once going to be developed into farm properties, but only two stick built residents were developed. We purchased this property 4 years ago with a dream of developing a Regenerative Organic farm. Now a 501c3 Animal Sanctuary with 800 Avocado trees, a dozen citrus trees that include, Limes, Grapefruits, Oranges, Satsumas, Lemons, Macadamia nuts, Tangerines, Pomegranates, passion fruit, Dragon Fruit and Kumquats. We are growing 9 different varieties of Avocados; Hass, Reed, Gem, Bacon, Lamb Hass, Fuertas, Pinkertons, Mexicolas and Zutanos. We are a blended family of 6 with 4 girls you may see hiking around the property. We have three dogs, one being an Aussie doodle that is living her best life as a farm dog and loves working on the farm, hunting gopher and squirrel. We have incorporated chickens, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, pot belly pigs and goats. We hope to fill our 21 acre property with citrus and avocado trees as well as rescued farm animals through our 501c3 non profit that support the Regenerative Organic goal. The farm is home to many wildlife on occasion including Coyotes, various Hawks and eagles, bobcats, jackrabbits and squirrels. All these animals play the role for the Regenerative farming.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

94%

(141)

San Bernardino National Forest

La Quinta, California

92%

(224)

Angeles National Forest

La Crescenta Montrose, California

95%

(76)

Cleveland National Forest

Descanso, California

93%

(15)

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

Crestline, California

79%

(12)

Lake Perris State Recreation Area

Moreno Valley, California

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

RV camping near San Bernardino with fishing guide

Overview

East of Los Angeles in the Inland Empire, San Bernardino sits at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains and the San Bernardino National Forest, home to coniferous trees, hiking trails, and snow-capped peaks. Two other nearby ranges—the San Gabriel Mountains and San Jacinto Mountains—multiply the region’s alpine options, while lower-elevation parks and preserves in the valley mean hiking and camping among native plants and chaparral. Aside from the mountains, San Bernardino is also about an hour's drive to Pacific beaches and 90 minutes to Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert, making it a perfect location to explore both the highlights and hidden gems of Southern California wilderness.

Where to go

San Bernardino Surrounds

For a quick nature excursion near San Bernardino, check out Box Springs Mountain Reserve Park, where you can get a panoramic view of the area from a 3,000-plus-foot peak. Chino Hills State Park is another great local option with more than 90 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. The campground at Chino Hills has tent sites with picnic tables and restrooms, while RV travelers can also find a variety of San Bernardino RV parks with full hookups, free wifi, dump stations, and everything else needed for travel in a big rig or camper.

San Bernardino Mountains

Much of the San Bernardino Mountains north of the city are preserved by the San Bernardino National Forest. Within this park system are 42 campgrounds, hundreds of miles of trails, and the highest peak in Southern California: the 11,499-foot San Gorgonio Mountain. The Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area and Big Bear Lake are also in this range, the latter of which sits at 6,752 feet of elevation and features a winter ski run.

Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness

The Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness spans 14,000 acres in the San Jacinto Mountains. With granite cliffs, Sequoia trees, and stunning views, this region feels more like the High Sierra than Southern California. There are campgrounds and rugged hiking trails near the park in Idyllwild, or you can start in Palm Springs and let the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway whisk you to 8,516 feet, where hiking trails depart from the tram’s Mountain Station.

When to go

There are year-round camping options in San Bernardino due to its proximity to varied climates. While the San Bernardino Valley can become uncomfortably hot in summer, this is a great season to camp at the more temperate beach and mountain areas nearby. Conversely, both the valley and nearby desert sites like Joshua Tree National Park are ideal for a winter camping getaway.