Q for all you Big Bear experts

[BrianSD_42]

Hey guys,

I'm planning on doing a quick 1 or 2 night camping trip the first week of April. What would be a good no reservation needed campsite near Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead area?

Yellow Post is fine. BLM style is fine. Actual campsite is also fine. I need to be able to drive the truck up to the site. We aren't going to be backpacking.

Officially quick a few of the sites are closed but does anyone know if there are sites that are still usable in the winter?

I'm considering Big Pine flats but not sure if I'll be able to park and camp there, let alone drive up to it.

/------------------------ Links to potential sites ------------------------------/


Website showing public first-come first serve dirt road access campgrounds
San Bernardino National Forest - OHV Riding & Camping:OHV Camping

Looks good and might be open all winter, seems like best beg
Big Pine Flat
* Closed, may not officially open until 04/26 but MAY be usable in winter
* This other website says it is accessible year round since there are no gates
* 19 sites first come
* Sites 15-19 are best
* GPS: 34.319528, -117.013125
---> Big Pine Flat - Campsite Photos and Camping Information
---> San Bernardino National Forest - Big Pine Flat Family Campground


<<< Other choices >>>

Serrano Campground (not OHV) [04/01 to Nov]
Serrano - Campsite Photos, Camping Information and Reservations

Tent Peg Group Campground ($132/night)
San Bernardino National Forest - Tent Peg Group Campground

Crab Flats Campground (28, 5 are first come)
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=26233&actid=32

*** Yellow Post sites are always preferred ***
* Anyone have any suggested sites?


Thanks!

 

[Kamalani Mahie]

Hanna Flat Campground is a nice campground and I was able to get a site there in the summer peak season when the other campgrounds around big bear were filled. It has a mix of reservation and first come first serve sites. It's away from the lake but a short drive to it. Only issue is that I think it doesn't open until towards the end of April.

 

[BrianSD_42]

That sounds nice. My main issue is in looking for a site or BLM-like-spot I camp at during 1st week April.
.

 

[BrianSD_42]

@GVL

Any recommendations for a where to camp up there in next two weeks?

Also does anyone know if Big Pine Flat campground will be accessible even though it is technically not open yet?

Thanks :biggrin2:

 

[grave]

Lots of good spots off 2N11.

 

[South-O 4RnR]

Holcomb valley Campground is always a decent spot to camp.

Yellow Posts:
Yellow Post Campsites - Google My Maps


Big Bear Yellow Post Camp Sites

You'll need to get a fire permit at the ranger station or online.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Thank you for all the responses!

:usa2: :usa2: :usa2:

 

[470SNC]

Crab Flats is a favorite of mine, but ever since they paved the entry road from dirt to asphalt, its gotten a lot more busy.

 

[YetiX]

Crab Flats and Hannah Flats should both be open and accessible. Big Pine is a great campground, but may be closed. The road to Big Pine is a very easy trail but it is a trail so it may be covered in snow and/or too muddy.