Marion Mountain Campground, Idyllwild, CA

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. 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. There is a fee of $10.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.

Make a Reservation

Campsite Reviews (44)

4.1 out of 5

5 star		48%
4 star		27%
3 star		7%
2 star		2%
1 star		11%

@SusanS9297654 · Camped on Jul 16, 2024 at Campsite #6

Unfortunately, a large group used 3 campsites to host their organized "Teen Group Camp" while we were there. They were loud, paid no attention to quiet hours and were generally disruptive and destructive the entire time we were there. There is no Ranger or Camp Host and no one checked in at the camp during our 3 days there.

@ROBINF6756651 · Camped on Jul 7, 2024 at Campsite #22

The campground is small, but very clean. The biggest problem, which there is nothing they can do about, were the incessant, awful flies and mosquitoes. We hiked to the top of Marion Mountain, and I was nonstop waving flies away. If you go there, bring a mosquito net for your face/head, and lots of DEET bug spray. The flies and mosquitoes were immune to my Family Off spray. In fact, we called it honey after a while because it seems that they were drawn to it! Otherwise, the campground was quiet (Sun-Wed). Pit toilet only. We brought a camper van. Water at just a few sites. We were in space 22. No water there. This place is definitely rent or small camper van-type. No class A or B.

@SaraM7513074 · Camped on Oct 26, 2023 at Campsite #7

Amazing campground in such an incredibly beautiful area. Conveniently located right next to hiking trails. There are two pit toilets with no sink but there is a spigot though I don't believe the water was potable. Campsites 006, 007, and 008 seemed to be the best in my opinion. No campfires while I was there (Oct-Jan) but still had an amazing experience. Very much looking forward to returning in the future!

@TomGlo1ADD73D8 · Camped on Sep 26, 2023 at Campsite #24

Camp fires in the approved and provided USFS fire rings were not allowed. This was unacceptable !

@Stacyk6593205 · Camped on Aug 17, 2023 at Campsite #8

Good price, clean campground, nice views.

@MariaA9377949 · Camped on Aug 6, 2023 at Campsite #6

Site 6 was perfect for sunset view! Scenic campsite!

@RyanW7011906 · Camped on Aug 4, 2023 at Campsite #12

Not much privacy but amazing location, nice campground.

@WilliamJ242827 · Camped on Aug 1, 2023 at Campsite #24

Scenery was great. Privacy was better than average. It was quiet, but my visit was mid-week and there were few other campers.

@KalikalaJ8957B · Camped on Jun 30, 2023 at Campsite #11

Very clean campground. Right next to hiking trail. Great views. Lots of mosquitoes, but was prepared for it. This is one of my favorite campgrounds.

@CKLEDB93661209 · Camped on Jun 16, 2023 at Campsite #15

Campground is pretty spread out which is nice. But the campground reservation is a mess where people who did not reserve can simply occupy your campground while it’s almost impossible to find a ranger to resolve the issue especially if you arrive later in the day and there is no cell signal.

@stevenb5011158 · Camped on Jun 11, 2023 at Campsite #8

It's a drive up from Idyllwild but well worth it. Amazing views and campsites are fairly spread out. Convenient access to Marion Mountain Trail.

@MeganB7687345 · Camped on May 27, 2023 at Campsite #7

We had a great long weekend over 2023 Memorial Day with friends at this campground. Some items to note that aren't totally clear ahead of time: - There was no camp host but a ranger made regular rounds during the day and was helpful - Most sites are reservable and are noted with a permanent tag at the site saying to check the entrance board to see if they are already taken. There are also a handful of walk-up only sites that are managed by typical registration papers you attach to the site post. - There was a lot of confusion about campfires because the emails for our reservation all said no fires, plus there was a sign on the way in saying no fires, yet many people were clearly having wood fires in the site fire pits. I finally asked the ranger and he confirmed that fires WERE allowed that weekend, plus we were allowed to gather wood. I expect this rule changes based on the season/weather, so check with the ranger. - Many campsites are very sloped so it can be tough to fit two large tents on a site. We managed to get 4 large tents on 2 sites but it was tricky. - The sites are super close together so it could be a bummer if you get a large party group next to you, but even on Memorial Day weekend everyone on our half of the campground was lights out by 10. Probably big party groups are less common given the small/remote/rustic nature of this campground. - There was running non-potable water from a spigot near the pit toilets when we visited. This was a great location and a fun weekend, definitely recommend.

@LindseyO389527 · Camped on Nov 6, 2022 at Campsite #6

Gorgeous campsite! Great view of the forest and mountains at a high elevation. Minutes away from the San Jacinto Trailhead and PCT. Highly Recommend!

@JamesR5751753 · Camped on Oct 14, 2022 at Campsite #15

I made a reservation online and went, but the local ranger designated the camp site to those who came on the day, so there were a lot of duplicates. People were arguing because of duplicate sites.

@GuyB5152073 · Camped on Sep 16, 2022 at Campsite #8

I got to the campsite at 2pm Friday afternoon after a very helpful camp host pointed me in the right direction when I ended up at fish creek campground. Overall the campsite was very nice with clean bathrooms and no water (as mentioned when getting the permit). The other guests were respectful of the 10pm noise curfew. Early Saturday morning we hiked up to San Jaciento peak and got back to camp in time for the 2pm checkout. Would definitely recommend this campsite.

@YoungK3730560 · Camped on Aug 19, 2022 at Campsite #21

It is one of best trail with big pines and rocks and giant boulders. Also there was a nice water source for refill just before the litter round valley camping ground.

@BrentB9407750 · Camped on Aug 6, 2022 at Campsite #12

Great location near the top of the mountain. Makes it great for an easy early morning short walk to the top for the sunrise

@StephenK448318 · Camped on Jul 19, 2022 at Campsite #18

Site 18 is up a little hill. Very private location but we couldn’t find a flat enough area to put our tent. We ended up moving down to site 17 after our first night… Campground was very quiet during our stay (July 19-22). We saw 2 dear on the way up to the campground on the forest road, but none at the campgrounds. Some flies and mosquitos but nothing too crazy. Put toilets on this side of the campground are well, pit toilets!!

@StephenK448318 · Camped on Jul 19, 2022 at Campsite #17

Site 17 is right next to sites 14 and 21. If you want privacy keep in mind. Campground was very quiet during our stay (July 19-22). We saw 2 dear on the way up to the campground on the forest road, but none at the campgrounds. Some flies and mosquitos but nothing too crazy. Put toilets on this side of the campground are well, pit toilets!!

@KaiK4641894 · Camped on Jul 8, 2022 at Campsite #1

Good campground, quiet and close to trails. Water was not working, so make sure you bring any water you need for drinking and cleaning.

@RobertP6375002 · Camped on Jun 16, 2022 at Campsite #19

The campsite was Great except one of the toilets stunk REALLY bad while the second toilet was nice. I do not understand why one is so bad while the other was nice. The only other complaint is that the potable water line was broke and I do not think they have a plan to fix it anytime soon.

@JamieA8056294 · Camped on Jun 3, 2022 at Campsite #7

Love Marion Mt Campground. As always sunset is beautiful. Campsites are well maintained. Bathrooms were clean. No fires allowed so bring propane fire pit.

@BrianO397 · Camped on Oct 30, 2021 at Campsite #17

Had a wonderful weekend with the wife and dog. Campsites were clean, of course the fire ring was marked no use because of all of our recent fires and subsequent risk. Just had to adjust the menu. Great tree cover, restrooms were very nice for pit toilets. Water was iffy, we brought our own. Nice views to the west if you walk to the right spot, beautiful sunset. Even though camp was sold out on rec.gov, only about 1/4 occupied. Great walk up a spur trail off the official Marion Mountain trail…suitable for the wife and dog. Hiked up to San Jacinto peak many times from here, but never camped. Will definitely do again.

@CarolineP899 · Camped on Oct 29, 2021 at Campsite #8

Clean vault bathrooms. Spacious sites and close to trails.

@RichM629 · Camped on Oct 29, 2021 at Campsite #21

Camp site 21 is nice because it has a lot of shade and is relatively level for a tent and for a car with a rooftop tent. It was quiet and relaxing. However, more attention to keeping the vault toilets clean is needed. There are great strenuous and less strenuous hiking trails that campers can access from the campground. It works for a one or two night stay. The small town of Idyllwild is about 15 minutes away, and you can find a few shops and restaurants there.

See other campgrounds near Idyllwild, CA with availability Tonight
See other campgrounds near Idyllwild, CA with availability This Weekend

Other Campgrounds Nearby

We track all the sites so you don't have to.

Reservation Systems

Campsites Tracking

Campsite Reviews

Available Tonight

Available this Weekend

Cancellations Today

PRO $2.50/month

You're in Control. We never save credit card information or auto-renew subscriptions.

Availability Map Search
3000+ Interactive Campground Maps
Campground Virtual Tours
Save Your Favorite Campsites
Favorite Campsites Availability
Campground Mobile Speed Test Maps
National Parks, Forests & Ranger District Layers
Wildfires & Air Quality Map Layer
Satellite View Map Layer
Campsite SMS Cancellation Alerts
Rent your Property & Cabins
Love's & Super Walmart Map Layers
Cracker Barrel & Bass Pro Shop Map Layers
Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) Layer
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Map Layer
RV Propane, Parking, Dump, Water Map Layer

Pro is FREE for 7 days. (No credit card information required!)

Thanks to all our Supporting Members

@BranJen - Santa Clara, CA

I wanted to thank you for this site and especially for the notifications feature. Thanks to your site and my subscription I was able to book a campsite I've been annoyingly trying to book for 5 years unsuccessfully. So thank you.

@Wondering - Oregon

Wow! Woke up this morning to a notification that a favorite had opened at Paulina, and when I went to check, it was there. This membership just paid for itself in the first 24 hours I owned it. Couldn't take the site it conflicted with a trip already set, but it truly was there. Thanks Tons.

@CarlaLThompson - Colorado

I just love this site and I tell everyone about it! It's so competitive to secure desired campsites and the alerts really help track when sites free up. The best part of this story is our alert notified a cancellation the next day!!!!!! Just incredible!!!