A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

Forest Service campground

Marion Mountain

Forest Service campground in San Bernardino National Forest, Riverside County, California. About 6,400 feet. 11.1 miles from Palm Springs.

Managed by
Forest Service San Bernardino National Forest
Elevation
About 6,400 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
16 15 standard non-electric, 1 tent only non-electric
Longest rig
20 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

The Marion Mountain Campground offers a beautiful retreat in the San Bernardino National Forest. It provides access to a number of hiking trails that lead to some of the most spectacular views of Southern California.

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 enjoy sport climbing on rocks within the campground. Hiking on the nearby Marion Mountain Trail, which leads to San Jacinto Peak, is also available. 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 also quite strenuous in areas. Shorter hikes can be enjoyed on other nearby trails.

Facilities

Marion Mountain 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.

Please be aware that potable (safe for drinking) water may or may not be available at this campground. Please plan accordingly.

Natural Features

The campground is located in a forested area at an elevation of 6,400 feet. Mature cedar and pine trees provide ample shade and privacy between campsites.

Nearby Attractions

The campground is located approximately 50 miles from San Bernardino, California, and seven miles north of Idyllwild, which is popular for its small-town atmosphere and variety of shops and restaurants.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fire lookouts/cabins overnight
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • horseback riding

The land around Marion Mountain

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated May 19, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.