Camping In Idyllwild
Idyllwild offers a variety of campgrounds for
those who want to jump into their car and get away from it all.
For those who like to "rough it" in the primitive wilderness, Idyllwild
has just the right camping areas for you. If you prefer modern restrooms
and showers, Idyllwild can cater to your needs as well.
- Forest Service Campgrounds
The Forest Service manages
a number of developed and remote campgrounds and camping areas. You
can pick up a map of the locations at the Idyllwild Ranger Station
on the corner of Highway 243 and Pine Crest.
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- Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area Campgrounds
The Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness area offers rock
climbing, hiking, exploring and camping opportunities. In addition,
these campgrounds offer campfire programs on Saturday nights. A
Junior Ranger program is available in the summer for children 7 to
12 at State Park campgrounds.
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info
- Riverside County Park Campgrounds
Several camping areas are offered by the Riverside County Park
system.
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Developed Campgrounds Requiring an Overnight Fee
 Dark
Canyon, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin Campgrounds
Located off Highway 243, about six miles north of
Idyllwild at elevations ranging from 5,800 to 6,400 feet with a total of
58 camping sites. Marion Mountain and Fern Basin sites can accommodate
RVs up to 15 feet in length and Dark Canyon up to 22 feet. For more
information, call 877-444-6777.
Boulder
Basin Campground
Located about 15 miles north of Idyllwild off Black
Mountain Road at an elevation of about 7,800 feet with 34 sites.
Trailers are not recommended. For more information, call 877-444-6777.
Black
Mountain Group Camp
Located beyond Boulder Basin Campground at an
elevation of about 7,500 feet. One site is available for groups of 15 to
100. For more information, call 877-444-6777.
Pinyon
Flats Campground
Located on Highway 74 east of Highway 371 at an
elevation of about 4,000 feet. Available for year round camping. Has 18
sites and can accommodate trailers up to 15 feet in length.
Ribbonwood
Equestrian Campground
Located on Highway 74 east of Highway 371. It has
eight sites with horse corrals as well as flush toilets, showers,
tables, and piped water. For more information, call 951-382-2922 or
951-659-2117.
Primitive Campgrounds Requiring an Adventure Pass
Bring water and check in with
the ranger station. In remote sites designated with yellow iron posts,
open fires may be used only in the Forest Service metal campfire rings
provided at the sites. Chemical stoves require an annual California
campfire permit, which you can obtain free of charge at the ranger
station.
Thomas
Mountain Ridge
Located off Highway 74, 18 miles from Idyllwild at
the top of Thomas Mountain. Tool Box Campground in Thomas Mountain
offers a restroom, fire rings and tables. No water is available at this
site.
Fuller
Ridge
Located high up Black Mountain Road near the
wilderness boundary. Consists of several sites located between Boulder
Basin and the Fuller Ridge trail head.
Apple
Canyon
Located on the east end of Garner Valley. Three sites
are available. Water must be brought in. Apple Canyon is near a fishing
area and hiking trails.
Mt.
San Jacinto State Park Idyllwild Campground
Located off Highway 243 in Idyllwild, the Mt. San Jacinto State Park offers 33 camping sites with flush toilets, showers, tables, grills and
food lockers. A limited number of RV hookups are available. Sites can
accommodate vehicles up to 24 feet long. For more information, call
1-800-444-7275.
Stone
Creek Campground
Located about six miles from Idyllwild on Highway 243
at an elevation of about 6,000 feet. This location has 50 sites, each
with a picnic table and stove. There are also vault toilets and water
spigots. For more information, call 1-800-444-7275.
Idyllwild
County Park
Located inside Idyllwild, consisting of 202 acres and
includes showers, restrooms, fire rings with half-grills and picnic
tables in a woodsy environment. Also includes five miles of hiking
trails that wind through the park, including an easy half-mail trail
that connects the campground with the country-run Nature Center.
Hurkey
Creek Park
Located in Garner Valley, four miles southeast of
Mountain Center on Highway 74. The 59 acre park is open year-round and
has 112 campsites, five group camping areas, and two day-use areas.
Offers showers, restrooms, fire rings with half-grills and picnic tables
in a forest area. Also includes hiking trails that lead directly into
the San Jacinto wilderness area. Hurkey Creek flows almost year-round
and attracts a variety of wildlife. The park even includes two
archaeological sites. For more information, call 1-800-234-PARK (7275).
McCall
Memorial Park
An equestrian park located near Mountain Center.
Provides opportunities for both overnight camping and horseback riding.
Open year-round, this 88-acre park has 53 corrals, which can accommodate
up to 125 horses. Two miles of riding trails are within the park's
boundaries and connect with 40 miles of Forest Service trails. For more
information, call 1-800-234-PARK (7275).
Lawler
Lodge & Lawler Alpine
Open year-round for group camping only. Located about
eight miles north of Idyllwild on Highway 243. Two separate groups
accommodating 126 people can use the 80-acre site at one time. On the
bank of Dark Creek Canyon, the lodge was designed and constructed by the
same contractor who built Yosemite Lodge in Yosemite National Park.
Construction began in 1916, using all native cedar logs. For more
information, call 1-800-234-PARK (7275).
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