A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

San Gorgonio

Forest Service campground in San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County, California. About 6,600 feet. 5 miles from Big Bear Lake.

Managed by
Forest Service San Bernardino National Forest
Elevation
About 6,600 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
54 51 standard non-electric, 3 group standard non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

The San Gorgonio Campground provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, as well as a beautiful location in which to enjoy nature. Its proximity to scenic trails and nearby mountain lakes and streams make the campground a great place to bring the family to relax and get away from it all.

Recreation

The campground provides access to the famed Santa Ana River Trail, which when completed will run from the mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean, providing spectacular views along the way. It is currently popular for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

The Rio Monte Trail is also accessed from the campground, taking hikers to the Rio Monte Panorama, which overlooks the deep gorge of the Santa Ana River Valley.

Visitors to the area also enjoy fishing in nearby mountain streams, as well as bird and wildlife viewing, as a variety of species make their home in the forest. A nearby amphitheater also provides weekend evening educational programs for the public during summer months.

Facilities

The campground offers dozens of single, double and accessible sites, available for tent and RV camping. Utility hookups are not available, however, the parking spurs are paved and provide a level surface. A dump station with potable water is available at a nearby campground.

Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided. A campground host is available on-site and firewood is available for purchase at the facility.

Natural Features

The campground is located about 36 miles northeast of San Bernardino, at an elevation of 6,600 feet. It is situated in a mixed forest of oak and mature pine trees.

The campground is composed of two loops, one loop has sites that are closer together, providing less privacy than the other. Both loops are relatively shaded by Black oak, Jeffrey and Ponderosa pine.

Nearby Attractions

The Big Bear Lake and its adjoining town are located approximately 25 miles from the campground, offering a variety of water-related recreation opportunities, as well as golf, shopping and restaurant options.

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

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • day use area
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • interpretive programs
  • wildlife viewing

The land around San Gorgonio

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 September 1, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.