Big Bear Camping is one of the most popular activities during the summer in the mountains of Southern California. Big Bear Lake and the surrounding Valley offers visitors many beautiful campsites to choose from. The cool summer temperatures make camping an enjoyable and economical way to spend your family vacation outdoors where you can get away from it all while getting in touch with nature. If you take young children camping, it’s a sure bet that they will love it and treasure the memories for the rest of their lives. Waking up in a tent or RV to the pine-scented air and forest of tall trees is still one of the best ways to unwind.
The Big Bear campsites are very popular, so its best to make an advance reservations; the Yellow Post wilderness sites are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Although its unlikely that you will see a bear, they do live in the area, so please store your food etc. in sealed containers in your trunk or RV when not in use.
The days in the summer can get hot, but the nights are generally cool, so bring warm clothes for those evening campfire gatherings. Happy Camping!
Backpackers can camp in the forest but there are a few rules: No fires – you must camp at least 200 ft from streams and water – ¼ mile from designated campgrounds – ¼ mile from private property.
Fire restrictions and guidelines effective Thursday June 19, 2014 on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows:
• Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds and within agency provided fire rings or camp stoves.
• Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted at Yellow Post campsites.
• Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of all developed recreation sites.
• Recreational shooting is limited to Public Shooting Ranges operated under special use permit only.
• An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles.
• Smoking is limited to an enclosed vehicle or building, or within a Developed Recreation Site.
• Fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest.
The US Forest Service will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions. Violation of these prohibitions is subject to punishment by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both, as Class B misdemeanors under federal law. Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire.