2019
In the San Jacinto Mountains
October 23, 2018__San Bernardino
National Forest Service__
As the seasons change, campers in the San Jacinto Mountains are enjoying
cooler temperatures and Fall’s brilliant colors. They may also notice new signs
advising them of changes to come, when they return next year: more online
reservation opportunities for campsites.
To better prioritize staff time in the field, walk-in campsites will be
converted to reservation-only at Marion Mountain, Fern Basin and Boulder Basin
campgrounds, all which currently have a mix of walk-in and reservation sites.
The change will occur when the three campgrounds open for Memorial Day Weekend
in May 2019. Group campgrounds, like Black Mountain, are already Reservation-only. Reservations can be
made up to six months in advance on Recreation.gov
Dark Canyon Campground will remain Walk-in
only, as well as Pinyon Flat Campground in the neighboring Santa Rosa and
San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, which is co-managed by the U.S. Forest
Service with the Bureau of Land Management.
The reduced time spent on fee compliance, collection, accounting and
transferring federal money will enable staff to spend more time on public
contacts, cleaning restrooms, emptying trash cans and addressing maintenance
needs at campgrounds and in day use areas.
For the remainder of 2018, campground operations are continuing as normal.
Fern Basin and Marion Mountain campgrounds close November 12th.
Boulder Basin, Black Mountain and Dark Canyon campgrounds are already closed
for the season.
