Campground

Boulder Basin

San Bernardino National Forest · Idyllwild · California — managed by USDA Forest Service

Boulder Basin campground
Photo: Recreation.gov

Weekend availability at Boulder Basin

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 3:24 PM PT

Sold out 1 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 18
    Sold out
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Open
    5/16 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Open
    8/16 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Open
    6/16 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Open
    5/16 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Open
    10/16 sites

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
37
Max rig length
20 ft
Standard No HookupTent Only No Hookup

About this campground

Overview Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is recommended with a minimum ground clearance of 6 inches. Drive at your own risk. The San Bernardino National Forest is submitting a proposal to increase fees at various sites across the Forest and is seeking public input. Please visit the https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for more information and to submit comments regarding this proposal. Boulder Basin Campground offers solitude and primitive camping in a scenic mountain landscape. The area provides ample recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, boulder climbing and more. Black Mountain Road, which accesses Boulder Basin Campground, is a narrow rough dirt road which may not be suitable for all vehicles. Recreation The campground provides access to a number of trailheads, including the Black Mountain Trail, a 3.6-mile, moderately strenuous hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trail that travels through the forested slopes of Black Mountain. The trail provides excellent views of the Banning Pass and Mt. San Gorgonio. The trail provides access to the famed Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which begins at the Mexico border in Southern California and leads to Washington border of Canada. Facilities The campground offers multiple single-family campsites, available for tent and small RV / van camping. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are also provided. Natural Features The campground is located in a mixed conifer forest, which provides ample shade throughout the day. It is situated at an elevation of about 7,300 feet. Roads to the campground are not paved but the campground does have paved roads. Nearby Attractions This group site is located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Bernardino, California, and 14 miles north of Idyllwild, where fuel and a variety of small town shops and restaurants are available.

Getting there

From Idyllwild, travel north for about 8 miles on State Route 243. Turn right onto Black Mountain Road/Forest Route 4S01 and continue about 5 miles to the campground. Black Mountain Road is an unpaved forest road, not recommended for low clearance vehicles or trailers.

Elevation
7,534 ftCold nights, seasonal snow
Contact
909-382-2922

Activities

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • PICNICKING
  • HIKING
  • FISHING
  • CAMPING
  • BIKING
  • BACKPACKING
  • MOUNTAIN BIKING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Boulder Basin

Popular California campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Boulder Basin around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.