Crab Flats
Crab Flats Campground is an off-roaders paradise, with plenty of off-road vehicle trails nearby for both beginner and experienced riders. Its location not only provides plentiful recreation, but also a secluded escape in Southern California's pine-covered mountains. Campground is difficult to reach without a high clearance vehicle, RV's are not recommended.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 28 |
| Host/management | 13 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 21 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
28 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 011 | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | 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 | 32 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This primitive campground offers single-family sites for tents. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill and bear box. Vault toilets.
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 24 hours in advance. |
| Fees | Single Site $27 - Holiday $29 - 8 person maximum. Camping fee includes entry for 1 vehicle. Extra vehicle fee $8 per night. Checks under $50 not accepted. |
| Rules | 3 night minimum for holiday weekends. Camping site fee includes entry for 1 vehicle. Maximum 2 vehicles per site, depending on spur length (no other extra vehicles allowed). A $8 fee for extra vehicles will be collected at the campground. Due to washouts (potholes) access road to the campground is very narrow and may not accept large RV'S. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Running Springs, travel toward Arrowbear, to Green Valley Road. Turn left, drive approximately 4 miles to Crab Flats Campground sign. Turn left and continue about 4 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 34.2635° N, 117.0866° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Overflow parking is not available.
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 ↗ | 9.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 17.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Major RV Sales ↗ | 19.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
🏕️ Crab Flats Campground Adventure | Peaceful Camping in Running Springs, CA
Worth a stop
The closest communities are Arrowhead and Running Springs.
- 0.2 miHolcomb Valley Ohv Road 3N16 ↗OHV / range
- 0.5 miCrab Flat Loop Ohv Route 2N31Y ↗OHV / range
- 4.7 mi
- 7.9 miGrays Peak Trailhead Day Use ↗Trailhead
- 8 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miRedonda Ridge ↗9.3 mi trail
- 0.8 miHolcomb Crossing ↗1.6 mi trail
- 0.9 miFisherman'S / Crab Creek ↗2.3 mi trail
- 1 miHawes Ranch ↗4.8 mi trail
- 2.2 miPCT Section 13 ↗6.4 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
- 2.2 miPCT Section 14 ↗6.1 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
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
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
- Shady PointBuilding · Lake Arrowhead · 5.5 mi
- Judson and Brown DitchStructure · Redlands · 12.4 mi
- Henry Washington Survey MarkerObject · Big Bear City · 13.3 mi
Natural features
The campground is located 8 miles from Green Valley Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest, near the town of Arrowhead. I t is accessed by a dirt road that crosses Deep Creek. The campground is situated among tall pine, oak and cedar trees. A variety of birds and wildlife make their home in the area.
Recreation
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails surround the campground, including the Crab Creek Trail, which provides access to nearby Fisherman's Campground. The scenery along the trail is exceptional. Other off-road vehicle trails in the area include the 9.7-mile Redonda Ridge Trail, and Holcomb Valley Road, which runs about 26 miles and begins west of the campground. The Crab Flat Loop is also west of the campground. Green Valley Lake is approximately 6 miles away and offers boating, fishing and swimming opportunities. The 9-acre lake is regularly stocked with a variety of fish. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are available in the winter.
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 Crab Flats?
Sites at Crab Flats 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 Crab Flats?
Single Site $27 - Holiday $29 - 8 person maximum. Camping fee includes entry for 1 vehicle. Extra vehicle fee $8 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Crab Flats?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Crab Flats?
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 Crab Flats open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Crab Flats have?
41 sites, including 28 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Crab Flats?
The longest site here provides 32 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 Crab Flats?
Yes, pets are allowed at Crab Flats. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Crab Flats?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. 3 night minimum for holiday weekends.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Crab Flats?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 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 Crab Flats?
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails surround the campground, including the Crab Creek Trail, which provides access to nearby Fisherman's Campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Crab Flats is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Tent Peg Group (0.8 mi), Fishermans Group (1.8 mi), and Green Valley (1.8 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby