Boulder Basin

San Bernardino National Forest

Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. 4 Wheel Drive is recommended. The road is currently a high-priority for maintenance, which should be occuring in June, 2023.

The San Bernardino National Forest is submitting a proposal to increase fees at various sites across the Forest and is seeking public input. Please visit the https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for more information and to submit comments regarding this proposal.

Boulder Basin Campground offers solitude and primitive camping in a scenic mountain landscape. The area provides ample recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, boulder climbing and more. Black Mountain Road, which accesses Boulder Basin Campground, is a narrow rough dirt road which may not be suitable for all vehicles.

The campground offers multiple single-family campsites, available for tent and small RV / van camping. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are also provided.

Need to Know

Fire Restrictions are in place for the 2024 season, wood and charcoal fires are currently prohibited. Cooking stoves or fireplaces using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are still allowed.
Water is not provided at this campground. Potable (tested monthly) water is available from a natural spring along Black Mountain road. Bring your own containers.
Sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping fees of $10.00 / night and $5.00 / night / extra vehicle is due within 30 minutes of arrival at the campground.
Basic camping fee ($10.00) covers the first vehicle. Extra vehicle fee of $5.00 / night / vehicle should be deposited into the fee tube located at the entrance to the campground within 30 minutes of arrival.
Click here for more information on the San Bernardino National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Natural Features

The campground is located in a mixed conifer forest, which provides ample shade throughout the day. It is situated at an elevation of about 7,300 feet. Roads to and within the campground are not paved.

Nearby Attractions

This group site is located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Bernardino, California, and 14 miles north of Idyllwild, where fuel and a variety of small town shops and restaurants are available.

Recreation

The campground provides access to a number of trailheads, including the Black Mountain Trail, a 3.6-mile, moderately strenuous hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trail that travels through the forested slopes of Black Mountain.

The trail provides excellent views of the Banning Pass and Mt. San Gorgonio. The trail provides access to the famed Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which begins at the Mexico border in Southern California and leads to Washington border of Canada.

Contact Information

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PO Box 518 Idyllwild CA 92549

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 909-382-2922

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Idyllwild, travel north for about 8 miles on State Route 243. Turn right onto Black Mountain Road/Forest Route 4S01 and continue about 5 miles to the campground. Black Mountain Road is an unpaved forest road, not recommended for low clearance vehicles or trailers.

Available Campsites

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