Fern Basin
The picturesque Fern Basin Campground is a perfect escape from a busy lifestyle. It provides peace and quiet in the mountains of southern California as well as access to countless recreational opportunities.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 15 |
| Host/management | 8 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
15 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 004 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 005 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 006 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 007 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 008 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 009 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 010 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 012 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 013 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 014 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
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 2:00 PM.
The site records list no campfires. The campground description says sites have campfire rings.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 20 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
Please be aware that potable (safe for drinking) water may or may not be available at this campground. Please bring ample water for drinking, cooking etc. Fern Basin campground offers about two dozen campsites for both tent and small RV / van camping. All campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are available within the campground.
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 www.recreation.gov. Reservations can be made as early as 6 months or as late as 3 days in advance. |
| Fees | $10 per night (includes 1 vehicle) + $5 additional vehicle |
| Rules | A site must be reserved for a minimum of 3 nights on major holidays. The fee allows for a maximum of 8 people per campsite and entry for 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed vehicle. Additional fees of $5 per extra vehicle will be collected at the campground. There are no refunds for inclement weather. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Idyllwild, travel north on State Route 243 about 4 miles. Turn right at the campground sign and continue to Forest Service Road 4S02. Turn left and proceed less than a mile to an intersection. Continue straight on the Forest Service Road and turn left into the campground.
| Nearest town | Idyllwild, California |
| Coordinates | 33.7886° N, 116.7378° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Nomad Ventures ↗ | 3.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Mountain Air Mobile Home Sales ↗ | 14.3 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 25.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Fern Basin Campground - San Bernardino National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
The campground is located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Bernardino, California, and about seven miles north of the small town of Idyllwild, which is known for its shops and restaurants.
- 2.4 miIndian Mountain Ohv Road 4S21 ↗OHV / range
- 3.4 miHumber Park Trailhead Parking ↗Trailhead
- 4.2 miMellor Ranch Ohv Road 4S05 ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miMarion Mountain1.5 mi trail
- 1.5 miSeven Pines1.2 mi trail
- 2.1 miPCT Section 27 ↗5.2 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
- 2.1 miPCT Section 28 ↗2.1 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
- 2.3 miSuicide Rock0.7 mi trail
- 2.3 miDeer Springs1 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
San Bernardino National Forest begins about 2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 2 miSan Bernardino National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 805,483 acres
- 2.1 miSan Jacinto Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 32,186 acres
- 5.5 miSouth Fork San Jacinto Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 20,158 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is located in a grove of mixed oaks and shrubs. A surrounding mixed conifer forest provides spotty shade for the campground. It is situated at an elevation of about 6,300 feet, in the mountains overlooking California's desert.
Recreation
Visitors to the area enjoy hiking on the Marion Mountain Trail, which leads to San Jacinto Peak. Views from the peak extend to the ocean and across the Palm Desert, as well as the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains on a clear day. The 11.8-mile Marion Mountain Trail is the shortest route up the mountain, but is also quite strenuous in 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 Fern Basin?
Sites at Fern Basin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Call 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Fern Basin?
$10 per night (includes 1 vehicle) + $5 additional vehicle
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Fern Basin?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Fern Basin open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Fern Basin have?
23 sites, including 15 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Fern Basin?
The longest site here provides 20 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 Fern Basin?
Yes, pets are allowed at Fern Basin. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Fern Basin?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 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 Fern Basin?
Visitors to the area enjoy hiking on the Marion Mountain Trail, which leads to San Jacinto Peak. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Fern Basin?
Idyllwild, California. The campground is located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Bernardino, California, and about seven miles north of the small town of Idyllwild, which is known for its shops and restaurants.
Source: Getting there
What if Fern Basin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Marion Mountain (0.4 mi, partly first-come), Dark Canyon Campground (1.1 mi, first-come), and Boulder Basin (2.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby