★ Field-verified · Dave's ownUSFS · dispersedFree
San Bernardino National Forest
Drive-up · U.S. Forest Service · Riverside County, CA · 33.61953, -116.68095
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Ask about this camp →Dave's been here. A spot from Dave's own travels on U.S. Forest Service land — free to camp. Conditions still change, so confirm access, stay limits and fire rules before you go.
A gorgeous, high-elevation free dispersed camping area on Thomas Mountain in San Bernardino National Forest. Yellow post site, located at the end of a long winding two-track. Four-wheel drive or high-clearance AWD recommended, but the dirt road isn't too rough. There are numerous other campsites in the area that are also beautiful. Network of dusty roads, worthy of exploration. Room for a few overland vehicles and ground tents. Fire circle. Pine trees, boulders, and stunning views. Highly recommended. Good cell service.
USGS topo — contours & terrain
Aerial — USGS / NAIP
Weather outlook
Loading the latest forecast…
Live NWS area forecast (~2.5 km grid, not elevation-corrected). Camp sits at 6,828 ft.
Fire & smokeNIFC · AirNow
Checking active fires & air quality…
Active wildfires from NIFC (within ~50 mi); air quality from AirNow. Always confirm current fire restrictions with the managing office before you go.
Everything you need — measured from camp
Straight-line miles · bearings approx · roads run longer
Nearest of each
- GGrocery4 mi
- @Mail4 mi
- FFuel4 mi
- +Urgent care6 mi
- WWater8 mi
- RxPharmacy9 mi
- HHardware9 mi
- MMechanic9 mi
- LLaundry9 mi
- OOutfitter9 mi
- ShShower16 mi
- PPropane17 mi
- AAir-up26 mi
- DDump34 mi
≤30 mi30–4545+water
The read: water's a short hop out, fuel & food sit about 4 mi out.
One dot per need — the nearest of each kind, straight-line from camp. Places from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Open in Google Maps ↗
The site
Access
Drive-up
Land
U.S. Forest Service · dispersed
Elevation
6,828 ft
County
Riverside County, CA
Coordinates
33.61953, -116.68095
Cost
Free
Nearby & resupply (OpenStreetMap)
- Water featureStream · nearby
- Nearest townThomas Mountain · ~3.1 mi
- Drinking waterDrinking water · ~8.5 mi
- FuelMobil · ~4.5 mi
- Propane / LPGFallbrook Propane · ~28.2 mi
- Dump stationnone within 31 mi
- Groceriesdollar general · ~4.5 mi
- PharmacyIdyllwild Pharmacy · ~8.8 mi
- Hospital / clinicVIP Urgent Care · ~16.6 mi
- HardwareSandlin & Son Equipment Rental · ~9.3 mi
From the field — what Dave saw, in person
Cell service
Had a signal
Getting there
High clearance / 4×4
Fire ring
Yes
Toilet on site
No
Tent friendly
Yes
Verdict
Highly recommended
Nearby restrooms — pit toilets, restrooms & rest areas (government data)
- RestroomSanta Rosa Vc · ~16.1 mi E · BLM
- Vault / pit toiletOak Grove Campground · ~17.3 mi S · USFS
- Vault / pit toiletAtaxam Ma'Mta'Ash Campground · ~18.7 mi S · USFS
- Vault / pit toiletDripping Springs Campground · ~19.9 mi SW · USFS
Open this spot elsewhere
Other camps nearby
If this one is full, gated or washed out.
- Ramona Campground~1.2 mi
- Tool Box Springs Campground~1.3 mi
- Apple Canyon Yellow Post Sites~4.0 mi
- Goff Flat Yellow Post Site~5.0 mi
How we know this
Source
Dave's own travels
Confidence
Researched — The record is detailed and internally consistent, and the coordinates land where the managing agency says this site is.
How it was placed
FIELD VERIFIED by Dave Lalande -- he has stood on this site. Coordinates are his own GPX track point, not a geocode. County and state confirmed against the FCC Census Block API (Riverside County, CA). Everything under 'From the field' is a direct observation; nothing here is inferred from a land record.
Field check
Verified on the ground. Dave has stood on this one. Conditions still change — confirm before you commit.
What we don’t know
A land record can put you within a few metres of a spot. It cannot tell you any of this — so check it yourself, and treat anything below as the open question it is.
- How many rigs actually fit
- Seasonal & winter access
- Current fire restrictions
- Whether any water here is drinkable
- Shade & wind exposure
- Noise and who else shows up
Before you go
Finding water out here →What “dispersed” means here →Dumping grey & black →Power off-grid →All field notes →
Been here? Tell us what changed. This page is built from public records, so the fastest way it gets better is somebody who has actually pulled in. Road washed out, site gone, gate locked, or it is exactly as described — all of it useful. Send a report →