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Map showing campground location near Cedar Glen, California
Camper submitted image from Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation AreaView 18 Photos
CampingMap showing campground location near Cedar Glen, California

Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area

6 ReviewsAdd Review

Accessible by paved road within San Bernardino National Forest, this USDA Forest Service campground provides both drive-in and walk-in sites with reservations available. The layout features some sites tucked behind wooded areas and others with multi-level terrain that creates distinct camping zones. Central water access and restrooms serve the camping loops, with firewood available on-site.

Green Valley Lake sits about a mile from the campground, requiring a short drive for water activities. The privately-owned lake charges per-person entry fees for fishing and swimming, with shore fishing producing good results according to multiple visitors. Aleena S. notes "the lake is very clean and has a lot of fish" and describes the small lakeside town as accommodating to visitors.

Camp hosts make regular rounds checking on campers' firewood needs and maintaining the facility. The campground allows pets, campfires, and alcohol, with picnic tables at each site and ADA-accessible facilities available. Hiking trails branch from the camping area up the mountainside, offering elevated views of the surrounding forest. Big Bear Lake lies about 30 minutes away by car for additional recreation options.

Cell service reaches the campground, and the location works well as a base for exploring camping near Cedar Glen or accessing the broader mountain recreation area.

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Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from October 18, 2025 through April 16, 2026.

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Location

Public Campground

Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

34.24731754 N
117.17185875 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

Reviews

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5 Stars

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3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

34%
34%
17%
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0%

4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

R
Reviewed Sep. 16, 2021

Fun Exploring

This site was great. We used it as a camp tester to see if something we would enjoy doing. We did some hiking, fishing near by and costed big bear as it is not too far away.

Month of VisitSeptember
Alisa B.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2021

Quiet campground

Lovely little place! Super close to the lake, secluded up in the mountains.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area by Alisa B., August 31, 2021
  • Play button icon
Salem L.
Reviewed Jul. 22, 2020

Beautiful little Gem

After years of venturing into and around Lake Arrowhead (often a mere stop on my way to Big Bear/Fawnskin) I finally started exploring off the beaten path by accident last year and holy cow! This area is amazingly gorgeous and a lot of what it has to offer gets lost on the people who always do what I did: follow the crowd into town, walk the pier, the park, and the shops, and head home. Shame on me for not exploring more sooner. The area has so much to offer and can be so very well loved and enjoyed when ventured off the “beaten path” during what most argued was ‘terrible weather’ for the day. This place is a spot of beauty and I encourage everyone to get out and explore all the wonders it has to offer! Now this is the first long stop on our trip in the mountains, and most time we find ourselves lingering to enjoy.

  • Review photo of Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area by Salem L., July 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area by Salem L., July 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area by Salem L., July 22, 2020
  • (11) View All
S
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2019

Camping is camping

The camp sites are good. You are within a mile from the lake and little town there. Good lake for fishing. Trails near the sites. There are some great views as you hike up the mountain.

Aleena S.
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2018

Awesome hidden gem

Green valley lake campground is an awesome place for a fun getaway. We wanted to get away for the Fourth of July but waited too long to book in Big Bear. Thankfully we found the Green Valley Lake campground! Check in was a little confusing, the camp host was not at their station. So we just drove around and found our site and eventually ran into the camp host who was very kind and accommodating. The sites were interestingly laid out and some had little wooded areas that you actually camp behind, others had interesting ground layouts with multiple levels, we found it really cool. Our site was a flat site, water and bathrooms are central to the loops. Bathrooms were fine for a small campground.

The camp hosts are very attentive and even drove by making sure we had enough firewood!

Nearby there is Green Valley lake, just a couple miles up the road, you do have to drive there. The town is very small and cute. The lake is very clean and has a lot of fish. It is privately owned so you do have to pay to fish or swim, and you pay per person, so keep that in mind if you have a large group. Everyone was very kind and we enjoyed fishing from the shore.

Big bear lake is about a 30 minute drive from the campground, we went there for the Fourth of July fireworks.

Overall we really enjoyed our trip to Green Valley Lake and we would camp there again!

SiteSite 12
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area by Aleena S., August 29, 2018
Bradley W.
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2018

Green valley, sure. Lake, not so much.

Went here a few years ago, and was a little disappointed. The site was fine; relatively even, fire pit, lots of gorgeous tree cover, but if you're going to call it "green valley lake" I'd better be able to see the lake. Instead, it was a twenty minute car ride to the lake, which was closed off, and required an entry fee. The whole town is right on the lake, and happy to charge you for anything they can think of, but the campsite is a totally separate organism. Instead of popping out of our tents in the morning and going fishing, a trip to the lake became a day-long endeavour. If you don't mind skipping the lake, I think this is a pretty decent site, but otherwise, try a different place.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area by Bradley W., July 4, 2018
  • Review photo of Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area by Bradley W., July 4, 2018
  • Review photo of Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area by Bradley W., July 4, 2018
  • (4) View All
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Green Valley Lake Campground reviews compare to other San Bernardino camping options?

Green Valley Lake Campground stands out as a more secluded alternative to the busier San Bernardino mountain destinations like Big Bear. Campers particularly appreciate its off-the-beaten-path location and gorgeous mountain setting. While it may not have all the amenities of larger camping areas, it compensates with its peaceful atmosphere and proximity to a small lake town. The campground serves as an excellent base for those who want to explore the broader San Bernardino mountains without the crowds typical of more popular destinations.

Is RV camping permitted at Green Valley Lake Campground?

While specific RV information isn't detailed, Green Valley Lake Campground appears to be primarily designed for tent camping with sites described as having tree cover and basic amenities like fire pits. Given the mountain location and descriptions of the sites, large RVs may face challenges with access or site suitability. For those planning an RV trip, it would be advisable to contact the campground directly to confirm RV accessibility, site dimensions, and whether hookups are available before making reservations.

What recreation activities are available at Green Valley Lake?

Green Valley Lake offers numerous recreation opportunities including fishing in the nearby lake, hiking on various trails near the campsites, and mountain exploration. The area features trails that provide great views as you hike up the mountain. The campground's location makes it convenient to visit the small town of Green Valley Lake and serves as a good base for day trips to nearby attractions, including Big Bear which isn't far away. The surrounding mountains offer additional outdoor recreation possibilities for adventurous visitors.

What facilities are available at Green Valley Lake Campground?

Green Valley Lake Campground offers standard campsites equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. The sites feature beautiful tree cover providing ample shade. The campground is located within a mile of Green Valley Lake and the small town nearby. While the campground itself has basic amenities, additional facilities can be found in the nearby town. Some visitors have noted the camp host may not always be at their station during check-in times.

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