Top Camping Spots Near Thomas Mountain, CA: Nature Adventures Await!
Nestled in the scenic beauty of the San Bernardino National Forest, Thomas Mountain, CA, offers a wealth of camping options that cater to all outdoor enthusiasts. For those seeking the comforts of home while embracing nature, several RV parks are conveniently located nearby, providing amenities such as hookups, restrooms, and picnic areas, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of towering pine trees and stunning mountain vistas. Tent camping enthusiasts will find a variety of established campgrounds, including the popular Thomas Mountain Campground, which offers picturesque sites alongside seasonal wildflowers and the refreshing sounds of nearby streams. For the more adventurous, dispersed camping is available in designated areas, allowing campers to enjoy solitude and breathtaking views of the Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake regions without the hustle and bustle of crowded campsites. The diverse geography around Thomas Mountain features rolling hills, alpine meadows, and expansive views of the surrounding mountains, making it a perfect destination for hiking, wildlife watching, and stargazing. With such diverse camping options available, Thomas Mountain is the perfect locale for creating lasting outdoor memories.

















Ribbonwood Equestrian Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (49 min southwest of La Quinta, CA) with an elevation of 4,084 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 130 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding.
Idyllwild Campgorund is part of Mt. San Jacinto State Park in California (1 hr 9 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 5,411 feet. There are a total of 31 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 29 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 4 sites have electric and water hookups. 4 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $45.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Stone Creek Campground is part of Mt. San Jacinto State Park in California (1 hr west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 5,411 feet. There are a total of 46 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 6 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $35.00. Some amenities include drinking water, accessible, restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Fern Basin Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 4 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 6,252 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Marion Mountain Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 6 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 6,522 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid November. 15 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Boulder Basin Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 23 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 7,537 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites including 8 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 7 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Black Mountain Group Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 28 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 7,498 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to the beginning of September. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, rock climbing.
Oak Grove Campground is located in the Palomar Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest (33 min east of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 2,769 feet. There are a total of 80 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 25 feet. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $15.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, trash dumpster, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Dripping Springs Campground is located in the Palomar Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest (just 19 min east of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 1,638 feet. There are a total of 33 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 30 sites can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $15.00 to $30.00.
Vern Whitaker Horse Camp is part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California (1 hr 27 min south of La Quinta, CA) with an elevation of 918 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of October to the end of May. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, horse stable, flush toilets. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails.
Observatory Campground is located in the Palomar Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest (1 hr southeast of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 4,908 feet. There are a total of 28 campsites including 21 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 4 sites can accommodate RVs between 12 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $15.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include hiking trails.
Fry Creek Campground is located in the Palomar Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest (1 hr 1 min southeast of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 4,976 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the beginning of December. Max equipment length is 12 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $15.00 per night.
Palomar Mountain Campground is part of Palomar Mountain State Park in California (1 hr 7 min southeast of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 4,956 feet. There are a total of 30 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground is part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California (1 hr 23 min south of La Quinta, CA) with an elevation of 1,724 feet. There are a total of 106 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 41 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 1 site has electric and water hookups. Fees range from $35.00 to $125.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, restroom, amphitheater, ramada, flush toilets. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Black Rock Canyon Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (31 min northeast of Desert Hot Springs, CA) with an elevation of 4,037 feet. There are a total of 98 campsites including 50 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 44 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $20.00 to $25.00. Some amenities include drinking water, dump station, accessible, playground, restroom, trash dumpster, gift shop, flush toilets. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails.
Black Rock Equestrian Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (31 min northeast of Desert Hot Springs, CA) with an elevation of 4,048 feet. There are a total of 20 campsites. The campground is open all year. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails.
Tamarisk Grove Campground is part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California (1 hr 30 min south of La Quinta, CA) with an elevation of 1,397 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites including 9 cabins. The campground is open all year. 14 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $35.00 to $70.00. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Lake Perris Campground is part of Lake Perris State Recreation Area in California (just 12 min southeast of Moreno Valley, CA) with an elevation of 1,650 feet. There are a total of 413 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 254 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $45.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, water skiing, floating sports.
Ryan Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (1 hr 20 min north of Indio, CA) with an elevation of 4,282 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 16 and 32 feet. 5 sites are currently first-come first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails, rock climbing.
Coon Creek Group is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 40 min northwest of Desert Hot Springs, CA) with an elevation of 8,097 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of July to the beginning of October. Prices start at $127.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Wild Horse Equestrian Family Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 4 min northeast of Yucaipa, CA) with an elevation of 8,758 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of July to mid September. 10 sites can accommodate RVs up to 1 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $35.00 to $69.00. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Skyline Group Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (42 min northeast of Yucaipa, CA) with an elevation of 6,871 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of July to the end of October. Prices start at $127.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Hidden Valley Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (1 hr 18 min north of Indio, CA) with an elevation of 4,175 feet. There are a total of 43 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 25 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, trash dumpster, pay telephone. Activities include hiking trails, rock climbing.
Heart Bar Equestrian Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (41 min northeast of Yucaipa, CA) with an elevation of 6,865 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of July to the beginning of October. Prices start at $314.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include biking, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Heart Bar Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (41 min northeast of Yucaipa, CA) with an elevation of 6,865 feet. There are a total of 66 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of July to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $29.00 to $56.00. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Sheep Pass Group Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (1 hr 23 min north of Indio, CA) with an elevation of 4,533 feet. There are a total of 6 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $40.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include hiking trails, rock climbing.
San Gorgonio Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (33 min northeast of Yucaipa, CA) with an elevation of 6,509 feet. There are a total of 54 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $34.00 to $67.00. Some amenities include shower, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Lobo Group Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (34 min northeast of Yucaipa, CA) with an elevation of 6,561 feet. There are a total of 2 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid September. 1 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $362.00 per night. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Oso Group is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (34 min northeast of Yucaipa, CA) with an elevation of 6,561 feet. The site is normally open from mid April to mid September. Prices start at $480.00 per night. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Council Group Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (31 min northeast of Yucaipa, CA) with an elevation of 6,293 feet. The site is normally open from mid March to the end of October. Prices start at $243.00 per night. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.