Tanglewood Group Camp
The Tanglewood Group Campground provides a picturesque spot for an extended family or large group getaway. It is nestled in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California, providing a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors of any age.
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 tent areas | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 | 25 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers one large-group campsite, available for tent camping. It can accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles. The access road to the campground is dirt and gravel. The campsite is equipped with multiple tables, a campfire circle and grills.
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 or as late as 24 hours in advance based on availability. |
| Fees | Group Site $149 - Holiday $159 |
| Rules | Campground capacity, maximum of 40 persons and 8 vehicles. No extra vehicles can be accommodated at this campground. No refunds are given for bad weather. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take I-10 (Highway 330) to Running Springs. Turn onto Highway 18 and continue to Big Bear Lake Dam. Continue on Highway 38 for 8 miles. Turn left on Van Dusen Canyon Road (Forest Route 3N09) and drive for 4 miles. Turn right onto Forest Route 3N16 and travel approximately 2 miles.
| Nearest town | San Bernadino, California |
| Coordinates | 34.2929° N, 116.8642° 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
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Mountain Air Mobile Home Sales ↗ | 25.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 28.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
A general store and restaurants are available about eight miles southwest of the campground in Fawnskin. The closest available showers are at Serrano Campground, east of Fawnskin.
- 1.5 mi
- 3.3 mi
- 3.9 miCactus Flat Ohv Staging Area ↗OHV / range
- 5.1 mi
- 5.2 miGrays Peak Trailhead Day Use ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.1 miPCT Section 17 ↗3.4 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
- 1.1 miPCT Section 18 ↗4.1 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
- 1.4 miPCT Section 19 ↗4.5 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
- 2.5 miWoodland ↗1.6 mi trail
- 2.5 miAlpine Pedal Path ↗2.5 mi trail
- 2.9 miCougar Crest ↗2.4 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
- 8 miBighorn Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 38,599 acres
- 8.8 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 · 12.5 mi
Natural features
The campground is located northeast of Big Bear Lake at an elevation of 7,542 feet. It is situated in a dense pine forest along the Gold Fever Auto Tour Trail, which provides a variety of interpretive sites that highlight the rich gold mining history of the area.
Recreation
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails are nearby, including the scenic Gold Fever Trail. Climbing is also a popular activity. Fishing and boating in the nearby Big Bear Lake are also popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the campground. Anglers can look forward to a catch of 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
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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 Tanglewood Group Camp?
Sites at Tanglewood 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 Tanglewood Group Camp?
Group Site $149 - Holiday $159
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Tanglewood Group Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Tanglewood 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 Tanglewood Group Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Tanglewood Group Camp have?
1 site, including 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Tanglewood 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
Are pets allowed at Tanglewood Group Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tanglewood Group Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Tanglewood Group Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Campground capacity, maximum of 40 persons and 8 vehicles.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Tanglewood Group Camp?
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails are nearby, including the scenic Gold Fever Trail. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Tanglewood Group Camp?
San Bernadino, California. A general store and restaurants are available about eight miles southwest of the campground in Fawnskin.
Source: Getting there
What if Tanglewood Group Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Holcomb Valley Campground (1.9 mi, first-come), Serrano (3.4 mi), and Buttercup Group Camp (4.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby