The Best Places to Camp in San Bernardino County, CA
San Bernardino County being the largest county in the United States, offers a variety of amazing adventures for anybody who wants to get outside and explore. The county is actually larger than many states, and has a range of climates, which vary from the miles of barren desert to the 10,000-foot peaks. If you love camping – or you’re an outdoors enthusiast – you’ve got to experience San Bernardino County!
Read below for our top 3 picks for camping in San Bernardino County. There are endless local gems to enjoy, but I recommend starting with the areas listed below. You’ll have a blast and they’ll provide endless hours of fun and adventure!
Joshua Tree National Park
The nearest national park to the metropolitan areas of California, Joshua Tree is a fantastic place to go for camping on a weekend. With a clear night sky and less light pollution, you can observe millions of stars all night long. Joshua Tree has lots of climbing areas and hiking trails to explore, too. Make sure to check out Barker Dam, Ryan Mountain, Arch Rock, and Lost Horse Mine. These are just a few of my favorite spots!
San Bernardino National Forest
The San Bernardino National Forest offers a diversity of outdoor activities. Pack up your family and friends and head for adventure in America’s Great Outdoors… hiking and backpacking, trail riding (equestrian), cycling, off-road vehicles, camping, picnicking, fishing, and not to mention winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country and alpine skiing.
It has eight designated Wilderness Areas: San Jacinto, Santa Rosa, San Gorgonio, Cucamonga, Bighorn Mountain, Cahuilla Mountain, South Fork San Jacinto, and Sheep Mountain. These areas add an abundance of panoramic vistas, solitude and primitive experiences for visitors, so make sure to check out all of them!
The San Bernardino National Forest is a year-round destination so grab the tent or RV and go for a visit!
Silverwood Lake State Recreational Area
Do you like boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, kayaking and/or and camping? If so, this is the place for you! Silverwood Lake is a large lake located on the West Fork Mojave River. Not only can you enjoy the lake itself, but there are 2,400 acres of recreational land around it to enjoy! So hiking and biking are available when you want a break from the water! Visit Silverwood Lake to experience some of the best camping in San Bernadino County, California.
The park is open 7 days a week and can accommodate tents, RVs, and large groups! All the campsites include a table, BBQ and a fire ring. So get the ghost stories ready for your nightly campfires!
So there you have it, my top recommendations for San Bernardino County. Again, you’ll have to come and explore the entire county to find your own favorites, but this is an excellent starting point. San Bernardino is a spectacular place, and you won’t want to miss a minute of the fun. Come and enjoy the beautiful Southern California weather and landscape. You’ll be glad you did!
