★ Field-verified · Dave's ownUSFS · dispersedFree
San Bernardino National Forest
Drive-up · U.S. Forest Service · San Bernardino County, CA · 34.23190, -116.98004
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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.
Very serene, designated (yellow post) campsite located in San Bernardino National Forest, near Big Bear Lake. Surrounded by rock formations and beautiful pine trees. Has picnic table and fire ring. Popular area for primitive camping, so site may be occupied in peak season. First come, first serve. The surrounding area is worthy of exploration, and there may be other comparable camping opportunities. Sufficient space for several vehicles. Recommended. Poor 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 7,455 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
- WWater2 mi
- @Mail3 mi
- GGrocery3 mi
- FFuel4 mi
- MMechanic4 mi
- ShShower4 mi
- LLaundry4 mi
- DDump4 mi
- PPropane5 mi
- RxPharmacy6 mi
- HHardware6 mi
- +Urgent care13 mi
- AAir-up17 mi
- OOutfitter21 mi
≤30 mi30–4545+water
The read: water is basically at camp, fuel & food sit about 3 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
7,455 ft
County
San Bernardino County, CA
Coordinates
34.23190, -116.98004
Cost
Free
Nearby & resupply (OpenStreetMap)
- Resupply lookup unavailable — try the map links below.
From the field — what Dave saw, in person
Cell service
No signal
Getting there
Any vehicle managed it
Fire ring
Yes
Toilet on site
No
Tent friendly
Yes
Verdict
Recommended
Nearby restrooms — pit toilets, restrooms & rest areas (government data)
- Flush restroomSerrano Cg · ~4.3 mi NE · USFS
- RestroomThurman Flats Picnic Area · ~9.0 mi S · USFS
- RestroomMorton Peak Lo · ~9.6 mi S · USFS
- RestroomMomyer Trailhead · ~10.7 mi S · USFS
Open this spot elsewhere
Other camps nearby
If this one is full, gated or washed out.
- Bluff Mesa Group Campground~0.7 mi
- Coldbrook Cg~2.9 mi
- Yellow Post 1~2.9 mi
- Hanna Flat Campground~3.9 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 (San Bernardino 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
Water on public land →What “dispersed” means here →Dumping grey & black →First-night troubleshooting →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 →