Bluff Mesa Group Camp
Bluff Mesa Group Campground is conveniently located for campers to enjoy all the beautiful Big Bear Lake area has to offer. A variety of trailheads are nearby, leading visitors through the scenic forest that surrounds the campground.
More like this: reservable in California · tent only in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Full | 40 / 8 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 19 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers one large group site for tents. It can accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles and is accessed by a dirt road. The site is equipped with picnic tables, grills and campfire circle. Vault toilets are provided. Drinking water, utility hookups and trash collection are not available. Parking surfaces are gravel.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | San Bernardino National Forest |
| Booking | Call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov. Reservations can be made as early as 12 months in advance. |
| Fees | Group Site $149 - Holiday $159 |
| Rules | This campground is "Pack it in. Pack it out" There is no trash service. For current fire restrictions contact the Big Bear Discovery Center. All pets must be leashed. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take I-10 east to Running Springs. Turn onto State Highway 18 and continue to Big Bear Lake Dam. Turn right and continue for 3 miles. Turn onto Tulip Lane and turn right on Mill Creek Road (Forest Road 2N10). Continue 4 miles and turn right on Forest Road 2N86 and continue to the campground.
| Coordinates | 34.2234° N, 116.9716° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.).
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 4.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Mountain Air Mobile Home Sales ↗ | 20.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 20.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Mill Bluff State Park Campground
Worth a stop
The Big Bear Discovery Center is located about 10 miles from the campground, on the other side of Big Bear Lake. A visitor center, interpretive trails and educational programs are available, as well as accessible flush restroom facilities.
- 2.7 mi
- 3 miGrays Peak Trailhead Day Use ↗Trailhead
- 3.1 mi
- 6.8 mi
- 6.9 miHolcomb Valley Ohv Road 3N16 ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miBluff Mesa ↗0.4 mi trail
- 0.3 miChampion Lodgepole ↗0.3 mi trail
- 0.4 miSiberia Creek ↗6.8 mi trail
- 0.5 miCastle Rock ↗1.2 mi trail
- 1.6 miPlantation ↗0.9 mi trail
- 1.8 miGlory Ridge ↗0.7 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside San Bernardino National Forest.
- inSan Bernardino National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 805,483 acres
- 9.3 miSan Gorgonio Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 101,574 acres
- 9.8 miSand to Snow National Monument ↗National Monument · Bureau of Land Management · 174,844 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Henry Washington Survey MarkerObject · Big Bear City · 7.5 mi
- Shady PointBuilding · Lake Arrowhead · 12.4 mi
- Judson and Brown DitchStructure · Redlands · 12.8 mi
Natural features
The campground is located 45 miles from San Bernardino at an elevation of 6,800 feet. It is accessed via a dirt road, and is nestled in a secluded, mixed conifer forest with a grassy understory. Mature trees provide much shade throughout the area, but open meadows are also available.
Recreation
A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails can be accessed from the campground, and rock climbing routes can be found nearby. Fishing, boating and swimming at Big Bear Lake are popular activities. Anglers can look forward to trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass, among other fish. The lake is less than 10 miles from the campground.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?
Sites at Bluff Mesa Group Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?
Group Site $149 - Holiday $159
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?
Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.).
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Bluff Mesa Group Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Bluff Mesa Group Camp have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?
The longest site here provides 19 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bluff Mesa Group Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. This campground is "Pack it in.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?
A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails can be accessed from the campground, and rock climbing routes can be found nearby. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Bluff Mesa Group Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Boulder Group Camp (1.5 mi), Deer Group Campground (3 mi), and Grays Peak Group Camp (3.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby