Buttercup Group Camp
Buttercup Group Camp is an outdoor oasis nestled in Southern California's pine-covered mountains. Big Bear Lake is nearby, a popular destination for a variety of recreational activities. The campground offers a great escape from city life and it is one of the best locales for group camping.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 25 | Gravel | Full | Yes / – | 40 / 8 | Yes | 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
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 25 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | For information about payments or making changes to your reservation, please visit the Recreation.gov Rules and Reservation Polices page: here |
| Accessibility | Site 001 is listed accessible |
The group campground offers one large, accessible site that can accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles for tent or RV camping. The site is equipped with tables, grills and a campfire circle. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| 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 | Please bring garbage bags! All pets must be leashed! For current fire restrictions contact the Big Bear Discovery Center. Pack out what you pack in and Leave No Trace! |
Weather by month
Getting there
From San Bernardino, take I-10 east to Running Springs. Turn onto State Highway 18 and continue to Big Bear Lake Dam. Continue about 6 miles on State Highway 18 and turn right on Summit Boulevard. Turn left at the end of road and go about a half-mile to the second gate on the right.
| Coordinates | 34.2355° N, 116.8806° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 2.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Mountain Air Mobile Home Sales ↗ | 21.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 26 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Camping | BUTTERCUP GROUP CAMPGROUND (Big Bear, CA) | Exploring with Leah
Worth a stop
A general store and restaurants can be found in the city of Big Bear Lake.
- 2.3 mi
- 2.6 mi
- 2.6 mi
- 4.3 miGrays Peak Trailhead Day Use ↗Trailhead
- 6.5 miCactus Flat Ohv Staging Area ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miBristlecone Spur ↗0.07 mi trail
- 0.2 miFern ↗1.6 mi trail
- 0.3 miBristlecone ↗0.6 mi trail
- 0.5 miTowne Trail ↗1.1 mi trail
- 0.7 miFall Line Connector ↗0.3 mi trail
- 0.7 miBristlecone Connector ↗0.05 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
- 6.2 miSan Gorgonio Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 101,574 acres
- 6.3 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 · 8.5 mi
Natural features
The group campground is situated at an elevation of about 7,000 feet and is heavily forested with pine trees. The site is relatively shady and secluded. It is about two miles from Big Bear Lake and is accessed by a dirt road.
Recreation
Fishing and boating at Big Bear Lake are popular activities. Anglers can look forward to trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass, among other species. Because of the very cold water and the presence of underwater obstacles near the shoreline, swimming at the lake is sometimes discouraged. Visitors also enjoy the area's plentiful hiking, mountain biking and climbing opportunities. The campground provides access to a number of trails and points of exploration.
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 Buttercup Group Camp?
Sites at Buttercup 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 Buttercup Group Camp?
For information about payments or making changes to your reservation, please visit the Recreation.gov Rules and Reservation Polices page: here
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Buttercup Group Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Buttercup Group Camp open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Buttercup Group Camp have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Buttercup Group Camp?
The longest site here provides 25 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
Does Buttercup Group Camp have hookups?
Yes, water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Buttercup Group Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Buttercup Group Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Buttercup Group Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Please bring garbage bags!
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Buttercup Group Camp?
Site 001 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Buttercup Group Camp?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Buttercup Group Camp?
Fishing and boating at Big Bear Lake are popular activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation