Marion Mountain
The Marion Mountain Campground offers a beautiful retreat in the San Bernardino National Forest. It provides access to a number of hiking trails that lead to some of the most spectacular views of Southern California.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 15 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
| Host/management | 11 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
16 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 012 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 015 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | No |
| 017 | Standard | 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 |
- Marion Mountain 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.
- Please be aware that potable (safe for drinking) water may or may not be available at this campground. Please plan accordingly.
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 at least 3 days in advance of camp date. Otherwise, there are 8 first come, first serve sites available. |
| Fees | $10 per night (incudes 1 vehicle) + $5 each additional vehicle payable at the campground. |
| Rules | The fee allows for a maximum of 8 people per campsite and entry for one motor vehicle and one legally towed vehicle. Additional fees of $5 per extra vehicle will be collected at the campground. A Maximum of two cars may be parked in each parking spur. Parking off the pavement, in unoccupied parking spurs or on the campground road is prohibited. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Interstate 10 in Banning, take Highway 243 south for about 20 miles to Alandale. Travel east on Stone Creek Campground Road for about 2 miles to Marion Mountain Campground.
| Nearest town | Idyllwild, California |
| Coordinates | 33.7917° N, 116.7319° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Nomad Ventures ↗ | 3.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Mountain Air Mobile Home Sales ↗ | 14.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 25.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Marion Mountain Campground Walkthrough
Worth a stop
The campground is located approximately 50 miles from San Bernardino, California, and seven miles north of Idyllwild, which is popular for its small-town atmosphere and variety of shops and restaurants.
- 2.7 miIndian Mountain Ohv Road 4S21 ↗OHV / range
- 3.2 miHumber Park Trailhead Parking ↗Trailhead
- 4.4 miMellor Ranch Ohv Road 4S05 ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miMarion Mountain1.5 mi trail
- 1.3 miSeven Pines1.2 mi trail
- 1.8 miPCT Section 27 ↗5.2 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
- 1.8 miPCT Section 28 ↗2.1 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
- 2.1 miSuicide Rock0.7 mi trail
- 2.4 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 Jacinto Wilderness begins about 1.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.7 miSan Jacinto Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 32,186 acres
- 2 miSan Bernardino National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 805,483 acres
- 5.8 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 forested area at an elevation of 6,400 feet. Mature cedar and pine trees provide ample shade and privacy between campsites.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy sport climbing on rocks within the campground. Hiking on the nearby Marion Mountain Trail, which leads to San Jacinto Peak, is also available. 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 also quite strenuous in areas. Shorter hikes can be enjoyed on other nearby trails.
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 Marion Mountain?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Marion Mountain?
$10 per night (incudes 1 vehicle) + $5 each additional vehicle payable at the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Marion Mountain?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Marion Mountain open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Marion Mountain have?
27 sites, including 15 standard sites without power and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Marion Mountain?
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 Marion Mountain?
Yes, pets are allowed at Marion Mountain. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Marion Mountain?
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 Marion Mountain?
Visitors enjoy sport climbing on rocks within the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Marion Mountain?
Idyllwild, California. The campground is located approximately 50 miles from San Bernardino, California, and seven miles north of Idyllwild, which is popular for its small-town atmosphere and variety of shops and restaurants.
Source: Getting there
What if Marion Mountain is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Fern Basin (0.4 mi), Dark Canyon Campground (0.8 mi, first-come), and Boulder Basin (2.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby