Weekend availability at Fern Basin
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 19, 1:54 AM PTSold out 4 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.
- Fri, Sep 18Sold out
- Fri, Sep 25Sold out
- Fri, Oct 2Sold out
- Fri, Oct 9Sold out
- Fri, Oct 16Open5/15 sites
- Fri, Oct 23Limited1/15 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.
How booked is Fern Basin?
as of September 19Weekends book out well ahead here — 2 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Nov, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Fern Basin and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 23
- Max rig length
- 20 ft
About this campground
Overview The picturesque Fern Basin Campground is a perfect escape from a busy lifestyle. It provides peace and quiet in the mountains of southern California as well as access to countless recreational opportunities. 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. Recreation Visitors to the area enjoy hiking on the Marion Mountain Trail, which leads to San Jacinto Peak. Views from the peak extend to the ocean and across the Palm Desert, as well as the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains on a clear day. The 11.8-mile Marion Mountain Trail is the shortest route up the mountain, but is also quite strenuous in areas. Facilities Please be aware that potable (safe for drinking) water may or may not be available at this campground. Please bring ample water for drinking, cooking etc. Fern Basin campground offers about two dozen campsites for both tent and small RV / van camping. All campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are available within the campground. Natural Features The campground is located in a grove of mixed oaks and shrubs. A surrounding mixed conifer forest provides spotty shade for the campground. It is situated at an elevation of about 6,300 feet, in the mountains overlooking California's desert. Nearby Attractions The campground is located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Bernardino, California, and about seven miles north of the small town of Idyllwild, which is known for its shops and restaurants.
Getting there
From Idyllwild, travel north on State Route 243 about 4 miles. Turn right at the campground sign and continue to Forest Service Road 4S02. Turn left and proceed less than a mile to an intersection. Continue straight on the Forest Service Road and turn left into the campground.
Activities
- LOOKOUT TOWER
- HORSEBACK RIDING
- HIKING
- FISHING
- CAMPING
- MOUNTAIN BIKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Marion MountainSan Bernardino National Forest0 mi
- Alandale Fire StationSan Bernardino National Forest1 mi
- Fuller Mill Creek - National Wild & Scenic RiverSan Bernardino National Forest1 mi
- San Jacinto River North Fork - Wild & Scenic RiverSan Bernardino National Forest1 mi
- Indian Mountain OHV Road 4S21San Bernardino National Forest2 mi
- Indian Vista Scenic OverlookSan Bernardino National Forest2 mi
Never miss an opening at Fern Basin
Popular California campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Fern 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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We'll email you if Fern Basin opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.
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.