Deer Group Camp
Deer Group Campground is a great place to bring an extended family or large group. Its convenient location provides access to all of the area's greatest recreation opportunities and lets campers relax and enjoy nature in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California.
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 | Entry | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | Gravel | 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 | 30 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $50/group/night |
The campground offers one large group site for tent camping. It can accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles and is accessed by a dirt road. The campsite is equipped with picnic tables, grills and a campfire circle.
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 | Angeles National Forest |
| Fees | $50/group/night |
Weather by month
Getting there
Travel I-10 east (State Highway 330) to Running Springs. Turn onto State Highway 18 and continue to Big Bear Lake Dam. Continue 3 miles on State Highway 18 and turn right on Tulip Lane.
| Coordinates | 34.3327° N, 117.8393° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Vault toilets are provided, but drinking water is not available and there are no trash collection services at the campground.
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
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 17.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28 mi |
| RV sales & service | Major RV Sales ↗ | 28 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Deer Group Campground Camping '23 Big Bear Lake Overlanding Off-road
Worth a stop
The Big Bear Discovery Center is located about 10 miles from the campground. It provides a variety area information, a gift shop, accessible educational programs and restroom facilities. An interpretive trail is available near the center.
- 0.6 miWindy Gap Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 0.7 miFawnskin Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 1 miIslip Wawona Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.8 miIslip Saddle Day Use Area ↗Day use
- 6.5 miWest Fork Fishing Access Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 6.7 mi
Show all 7Hide
- 14.8 miFisherman's Point Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miLost Ridge Trail1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miSouth Hawkins Trail4.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miGolden Cup Trail0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miBig Cienega Trail1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miWindy Gap Trail2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miHalf Knob Trail0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.6 miWindy Gap Trailhead ↗Angeles National Forest
- 1 miIslip Wawona Trailhead ↗Angeles National Forest
- 1.8 miIslip Saddle Trailhead ↗Angeles National Forest
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
Angeles National Forest begins about 0.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.5 miAngeles National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 706,719 acres
- 1.4 miPleasant View Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 26,839 acres
- 1.8 miSan Gabriel Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 35,738 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
- Fox Fullerton Theatre ComplexHistoric district · Fullerton · 10.8 mi
- Rubel Castle Historic DistrictHistoric district · Glendora · 12.5 mi
- DeWenter Mansion, Guest House and GroundsBuilding · La Verne · 13.3 mi
Natural features
This group campground is located in the San Bernardino National Forest, south of Big Bear Lake. It is situated in a somewhat secluded stand of conifers. The mature trees provide much shade for the campground.
Recreation
A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails can be accessed from the campground, including the Seven Oaks Trail, which is located west of the Big Bear Lake Village. The 30-year-old trail is overgrown in some areas, but leads to spectacular views of San Gorgonio Peak, the highest point in Southern California. Fishing and boating at Big Bear Lake are popular activities. Anglers can look forward to trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass, among other fish. Because of cold water temperatures and the presence of underwater obstacles near the shorelines, swimming at the lake is somewhat discouraged, unless done in designated areas.
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Deer Group Camp?
Sites at Deer Group Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Deer Group Camp?
$50/group/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Deer Group Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Deer 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 Deer Group Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Deer Group Camp have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Deer Group Camp?
The longest site here provides 30 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 Deer Group Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Deer Group Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Deer Group Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Deer Group Camp?
A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails can be accessed from the campground, including the Seven Oaks Trail, which is located west of the Big Bear Lake Village. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Deer Group Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Crystal Lake (0.5 mi), Coldbrook Campground (2.8 mi, first-come), and Jackson Flats (3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby