A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service group campground

Tanglewood Group Camp

Forest Service group campground in San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County, California. 7,542 feet. 3.8 miles from Big Bear Lake.

Managed by
Forest Service San Bernardino National Forest
Elevation
7,542 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
1 1 group tent only area non-electric
Longest rig
25 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

The Tanglewood Group Campground provides a picturesque spot for an extended family or large group getaway. It is nestled in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California, providing a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors of any age.

Recreation

A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails are nearby, including the scenic Gold Fever Trail. Climbing is also a popular activity.

Fishing and boating in the nearby Big Bear Lake are also popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the campground. Anglers can look forward to a catch of trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass, among other fish. Because of cold water temperatures and the presence of underwater obstacles near the shorelines, swimming at the lake is somewhat discouraged, unless done in designated areas.

Facilities

The campground offers one large-group campsite, available for tent camping. It can accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles. The access road to the campground is dirt and gravel.

The campsite is equipped with multiple tables, a campfire circle and grills. Vault toilets are provided, but drinking water is not available and there are no trash collection services at the campground.

Natural Features

The campground is located northeast of Big Bear Lake at an elevation of 7,542 feet. It is situated in a dense pine forest along the Gold Fever Auto Tour Trail, which provides a variety of interpretive sites that highlight the rich gold mining history of the area.

Nearby Attractions

A general store and restaurants are available about eight miles southwest of the campground in Fawnskin. The closest available showers are at Serrano Campground, east of Fawnskin.

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

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Tanglewood Group Camp

The ringed pin is this group 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 February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.