The Best Campsites Around Big Bear, CA
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The following is a special celebrity post from Derek Edwards, a talented writer and California based adventurer. Read all about his awesome experiences hiking, camping, fishing, and exploring the great outdoors over at his website.
Big Bear Lake is one of southern California’s biggest camping destinations. Located in San Bernardino National Forest, the lake is popular with kayakers, canoers and sailors. Anglers come for the trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass. And while the water isn’t great for swimming, there are plenty of opportunities for water skiing.
Near the lake, people who aren’t as aquatically-minded will find plenty to do. The surrounding areas include hiking trails, mountain biking, a historical museum, and attractions like chairlift rides, tennis, and golf.
Because Big Bear is such a popular area, you’ll probably need to choose a campsite and make a reservation in advance. Here are some of the most popular campgrounds near the lake.
Serrano Campground
Serrano Campground is one of the busiest campgrounds in Big Bear Valley. The campground has 109 paved campsites, and you still may find yourself making reservations up to six months in advance. Even though other campsites are close enough that you may have to come to Serrano for the dump station, it’s the only family campground that’s actually on the shores of Big Bear Lake, which makes it a pretty big draw.
Serrano is close to the beach, several marinas, nearby hiking trails, and the Alpine Pedal Path, which is great for walkers and bikers alike. Several of the campsites have electric hook-ups, and the facilities include flush toilets and tap water.
Pineknot Campground
Pineknot is located in the mountains of San Bernardino. It sits at the base of Snow Summit Ski Resort, making it prime real estate for mountain bikers looking to get away for awhile. While the campsite can technically accommodate RVs, there are no electric hookups and the closest dump station is across the lake at Serrano, so Pineknot is probably best enjoyed from a tent.
There’s a marina five miles away, but if you’re at Pineknot, you may be more focused on the trails. There are plenty of opportunities for hikers of all skill levels. And while you’ll probably want a nice warm cabin if you’re here in skiing weather, mountain bikers can take lifts up the mountain and bike back down it.
There are flush toilets onsite and drinking water is available, as well as trash cans, picnic areas and fire pits. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance in order to stay at one of the campground’s 47 sites, though you can make a reservation as late as 24 hours in advance, if there are sites available.
Hanna Flat Campground
Hanna Flat is just three miles northwest of Big Bear Lake, in the San Bernardino National Forest. A couple of those miles are on a winding dirt road that wanders through Jeffrey pines to a campground with a little bit of seclusion to it.
Hanna Flat provides a great mixture of amenities and primitive camping experience. It’s not an RV park, but it’s also comfortable enough that newcomers to camping and hiking will feel welcome. (It’s also great for families.) And while nearby Big Bear Lake is a huge draw, there are also plenty of hiking trails. Check out the Hanna Flat trail, a 7.8 mile trail to the top of Gray’s Peak and back down. There’s also the gorgeous Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail at the nearby Holcomb Creek crossing.
Most of the 85 spots here need advanced reservations, but there are 18 set aside for first-come, first-served visitors. There are several campsites (23 of them) set aside for tents only (so don’t forget your hiking gear). The rest can be used for small trailers or RVs, however you can still set up a tent there if you’d like.
Horse Springs Campground
Removed from the rest of Big Bear valley, Horse Springs is a remote desert escape for those looking for wide open spaces. The area is lies about 12 miles north of Big Bear Lake, and it’s especially great for OHV (off-highway vehicle) enthusiasts. If you’re a fan of 4-wheelers or dirt bikes, this is a great place to camp for a weekend of riding. You’ll find several green-sticker trails nearby, as well as other opportunities to ride.
Each of the 11 family campsites has a picnic table, and there are 4 vault toilets onsite. While the campsites are first-come, first-served, there is a $10/night fee to be aware of.
Big Pine Flat
Big Pine Flat is located 8 miles up a mostly-dirty road northwest of Big Bear Lake, set in a mature pine forest. Its 19 campsites are all first-come, first-served, and go for $7/night. The area also has a group equestrian camp if you happen to be traveling with a cadre of riders on horseback.
Campsites include a picnic table, fire ring, and drinking water. They can accommodate tents or RVs up to 30 feet, but considering the shape of the dirt road, you might not want to try and cart a big RV out here.
The woods have plenty of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. If you want a wooded refuge close enough that you can visit Big Bear but removed from the hustle and crowds, Big Pine Flat is a great place to stake your claim.
Holcomb Valley Campground
Like Pine Flat, Holcomb Valley Campground has 19 single-family campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, Holcomb Valley is a little closer to Big Bear – just five miles north – and the accommodations include bear boxes, vault toilets and a seasonal campground host in addition to the picnic table and fire ring. It’s a little more expensive at $24 per night ($26 during holidays).
The area sits in a large pine grove and is close to rock climbing, hiking, historic mining sites, and more. Pets are welcome, but saddle animals aren’t, so if you’re taking to the trails on a horse, you may be better off at Big Pine Flat.
Choose a Campground and Explore
Wherever you start out from, Big Bear has a lot to offer. You may choose to stick close to the lake, or camp out in pine groves or desert landscapes. But wherever you go, you’ll find plenty to explore, on foot, horseback, bike, or boat. The diversity of the campgrounds speaks to all of the things that the area around Big Bear has in store. Wherever you go, you’re in for a great time.
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