The San Bernardino Mountains and surrounding foothills provide numerous camping options within a short drive of Upland, California. Developed campgrounds like Bonelli Bluffs in San Dimas and Prado Regional Park in Chino offer amenities including electric hookups, showers, and reservable sites for RVs and tent campers. More rustic experiences can be found at higher elevations in places like Manker Campground near Mount Baldy, which operates seasonally from May to October. The region includes both lakeside camping with water recreation opportunities and mountain forest settings with hiking trails.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the area, with many mountain campgrounds closing during winter months. Manker Campground and Crystal Lake Recreation Area operate primarily during warmer seasons, while lower elevation sites like Prado Regional Park remain open year-round. Summer weekends often see high demand, particularly at water-adjacent campgrounds. Fire restrictions commonly apply during dry periods, especially in forest service areas. Campers should check current conditions before departing, as mountain roads can become impassable during winter storms. A visitor noted, "We went camping right before the snow storm and it was pretty cold but still so amazing. The staff are very friendly and let us know about the coyote lurking about and the big freeze warning."
Many campgrounds in the region balance natural settings with accessibility to urban amenities. Bonelli Bluffs provides a peaceful lakeside experience despite its proximity to metropolitan areas. Crystal Lake Recreation Area offers a more remote forest setting with access to hiking trails, including connections to the Pacific Crest Trail. Campers frequently mention wildlife encounters, with one noting, "The campground itself was well-maintained, and the surrounding natural beauty made for a peaceful retreat." Sites at higher elevations like Manker Campground provide cooler temperatures during summer months when valley areas experience intense heat. Visitors appreciate the variety of camping experiences available within a relatively small geographic area, from developed family campgrounds to more primitive sites in national forest lands.
$76 - $88 / night
"Our experience at Bonelli Bluffs Campground was mostly positive, but there were a couple of aspects that could be improved."
"The views around the outskirts of B loop are just lovely, the staff has been so friendly and helpful (we’re RV newbies and had a ton of questions) the store was stocked with all of the little things we"
$47 - $120 / night
"I grew up around in the area so I have been to this park quite a few times for a few different reasons. It is a very expansive and versatile area."
"It's a nice park great for long walks and trail riding on bikes great for the dog 🐕 also a bit windy so you need to keep a eye on your awning, great cell service with at&t ."
$20 / night
"Close by Hobit trails clear and inviting trails .rivers and in the winter snow....lots of campsites.... seen deer..rabbits and a multitude of squirrels. ..."
"Top of mt Baldy road.. almost as far as you can drive. Not many sites, about 20. One giant loop. No reservations needed."
"We’ve done Crystal Lake probably 6 dozen times or more in our time in California and it never disappoints on the spectacular views."
"Whenever I need to get away from LALA Land, I head up here. I grew up in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, so , sometimes , I need to kick back and recharge."
"We left LA (Hollywood) on a Friday afternoon around 3, and were setting up camp by 5! Luckily a friend got to the campground before us though, as he snagged the last of the 20 or so sites there."
"Coldbrooke is a excellent campground that is relatively close to the city. The camp host was super helpful in explaining the fire restrictions and overall questions."
$35 - $45 / night
"Easy access to a pretty trail right behind the campground. Very quiet and interspersed with long time stayers and temporary campers. I stayed in my van and had my cat and dog with me."
"It's definitely not that far away from the city roughly a 7-10 minute drive up the mountain very chill environment awesome staff very home like feel you're literally a box throw away from the creek if"
$30 - $120 / night
"This is a nice, small campground with easy access to many freeways. "
"That probably makes sense since a side entrance is only a mile down the road from us. We hike this several times a month."
$30 - $500 / night
"If you have a chance after - drive the whole Angeles crest highway! Worth the trouble. You are also located close to the PCT, take a hike!"
"We got a campsite that was on the outside of the loop. We were in Cherokee loop in campsite #87."
$40 - $55 / night
"Nice level grounds to walk around. Lakeside has gravel roads / pads... other side has asphalt roads / concrete pads. Restrooms are clean and acceptable."
"The lakeview area has dirt roads, sparse grass and a few spots close to the lake. The Cottonwood campground has concrete pads and well maintained grass throughout."
$35 - $175 / night
"You won't be able to drive up to your campsite. You have to carry your gear in a short distance from the parking lot."
"Located on the west side of the San Rafael/Richmond Bridge, on San Francisco Bay, this park is extremely popular with mountain bikers. "
GuideThe title says it all. It's nice, cheap, and quiet. Sites are spacious but beware of the ground squirrels. They're everywhere. Site 42 has a lot of traffic due to trail heads at the back of the site.
ScoutVery relaxing place to stay. Good amenities and very friendly staff.
TravelerI went with my family for my birthday. My daughters loved the campground. Easy walk to the lake. My wife enjoy the luxury of having a nearby bathroom/ shower with warm water. It’s a good choice for families
RangerThe Views are fantastic sites are rugged but very cool locations, This is mainly a Hike in CG most of the time and better have some serious clearance to get there even when the road is open in summer, BUT very worth it!
TravelerCamping at the beach in LA! Large country campground that has sites designed for motorhomes and sites designed for travel trailers and fifth wheels. It asphalt campsites, but you’re at the BEACH! My only complaints are the electrical was not working properly, (I had to connect to 30A instead of 50A), and people don’t pick up after themselves.
Scoutfirst, as a drop in you can‘t stay more then two nights even if they have room!
second, annually pool maintenance in spring break! without information when checking in, and it’s not a cheap one and i chose it for the pool! no information no discount, had to beg to at least get a poolchair, so much gras to chill no chairs!
third the showers are only dripping and i was the only one showering! again, not a cheap place!
and fourth, WIFI does never connect, really for a campground with this price, every cheap one has better WIFI and some people need it as internationals!
GuideAwesome area great service good vibes but I will say that there are to many city people who come to drink and not follow the rules of the campground
TravelerThis is my first time solo camping and this was a great starter! It’s really quiet all day long and every where you look is absolutely beautiful. I drove up here in my Honda civic and I saw some truck but this is a super narrow road and my car barely fit.-.
During cold times you might need to be ready to shovel the road. There’s not enough snow for chains but I saw a Jeep wrangler in front of me get stuck.
Dog friendly as well, there’s a lot of open space.
There’s my rant
ScoutThisThis RV Park is downright dangerous to camp at and is an absolute trash dump. The electrical supplies are not safe to plug into they have reverse polarity and if you plug into them it's going to blow all your appliances your air conditioner and all your Outlets. We sustained thousands of dollars worth of damage to our RV before an electrician told us what the problem was reverse polarity is when the wiring is incorrect and it can cause dangerous surges that can destroy your unit. There are stray animals running around the park everywhere there are old broken down RVs old broken down cars it's full of drug addicts the shower facilities are disgusting this place is nothing like the website you cannot afford to stay here for even one night.
The mountainous areas surrounding Upland, California offer camping options ranging from 1,200 feet to over 8,000 feet in elevation. Temperatures can vary dramatically between seasons, with summer daytime highs often exceeding 90°F in lower elevations while mountain camps stay 15-20 degrees cooler. Most campgrounds in the area operate with fire restrictions during dry periods, typically from May through October.
Mountain biking trails: Near Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground, you'll find several trail options suitable for various skill levels. "There are many hiking opportunities and chances to see wildlife (deer, wild turkey, rabbits, squirrels, racoons, and birds)," notes a visitor who appreciated the biodiversity.
Fishing opportunities: At Bonelli Bluffs, the lake offers year-round fishing access with catfish being the primary catch. As one camper mentions, "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more."
Explore historic sites: Within a 20-minute drive from Rancho Jurupa Park, you can visit the Mission Inn in Riverside. According to a camper, "We drove over to the Mission Inn (8 min drive) enjoyed lunch. Their is a pedestrian only shopping area with a Saturday farmer's market plus lots of restaurants."
Hiking to waterfalls: From Bonita Ranch Campground, take the short hike to Bonita Falls. "The creek running behind the camp is great to explore, and a waterfall is a short hike away. We also lucked out finding berries in August," reports one visitor who enjoyed the accessible natural features.
Cooler mountain temperatures: At Table Mountain Campground, the 7,000-foot elevation provides relief from summer valley heat. "Gorgeous campground to be visited during wildflower season," mentions one camper, highlighting the seasonal appeal of higher elevation sites.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers frequently report animal sightings in the quieter campgrounds. At Crystal Lake, one visitor noted, "ANIMALS SEEN: Black bear, deer (wandered through our site), red foxes, Stellar's Jays, woodpeckers, other birds."
Accessibility to urban amenities: From Prado Regional Park, campers can easily access shopping and dining. "Perfect to get out of the city but still be in it. Campgrounds have more than enough privacy with each one being about 15 to 20 yards apart. A ton of recreational things to do," reports a recent visitor.
Secluded spots: Even in busy campgrounds, quieter sites can be found. At Bonelli Bluffs, a camper appreciated that "I loved this place, this hidden gem is located in the in the middle of the city, with the feel of the outdoor. Lots of trees, biking and hiking trails, fishing area, beautiful views."
Seasonal restrictions: Many mountain campgrounds close completely during winter. At Manker Campground, operating season runs May to October, and one visitor noted: "We went on a Wednesday afternoon in May and got my pick of sites. There were only 4-6 other campers each night so it was very quiet."
Fire regulations: At Coldbrook Campground, fire restrictions vary throughout the year. A camper advised, "We camped during a no fire period so no campfires or outdoor propane gas stove fires. We sat in the darkness and took in the stars with the sound of the creek below us."
Weekend crowding: Most campgrounds fill quickly Friday through Sunday. At Crystal Lake, a visitor warned, "It is very crowded on the weekends. However, if you drive further towards the back of the site you can find nice, secluded sites."
Wildlife precautions: Bears and raccoons are common in mountain campgrounds. "We have camped here a few times. Had an encounter with a bear both times. Lost our marshmellows," reported a Coldbrook Campground visitor, highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Water recreation options: The splash pad at Rancho Jurupa Park provides a safe alternative to lake swimming. "LOTS of activities for families (splash pad). Very spacious and good for big rigs," notes a visitor who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
Playground access: At Rolling M. Ranch Campground, kids can enjoy designated play areas between hiking excursions. "Hiking trails to the nearby hills which provided unique perspectives on the suburban sprawl, began right out of the campground. Opportunities to cycle and hike throughout the park were abundant."
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds feature nature programs during summer months. At Bonelli Bluffs, the lakeside location allows for wildlife observation. A camper mentioned, "I brought my horses one time and it was amazing the best time of my life. The views are incredible."
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have better security measures than others. One family camping at Prado Regional Park observed, "Great sense of community and great placement of the gates for safety purposes. Lots of food spots within 10 minutes. Spaces are one of the cleanest I seen. Ranger is on constant patrol."
Hookup availability: For full-service camping, Prado Regional Park offers complete connections. "The sites here are pretty nice and far enough apart to have some privacy. With the local dairies are more insects than many campgrounds. Can be annoying," mentions a visitor who appreciated the site spacing.
Road access challenges: Some mountain campgrounds have difficult approach roads. At Crystal Lake, RVers should note the winding mountain access. One camper observed, "It's a very narrow and winding, single lane at times, lots of traffic (and so lots of backing up and negotiating around other cars in the narrower sections)."
Dump station information: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer dump facilities. At Bonita Ranch Campground, campers appreciate the full hookups. "This place is awesome full hookups lots to do trails and not to mention right on top of the creek. Friendly staff helpful too restrooms r clean showers clean too."
Site leveling requirements: Mountain campgrounds often have uneven sites. At Table Mountain, a camper noted, "I stayed in site 49 and it has a great view during sunset and a couple of great places for a hammock. The ground is a little slanted in most of the sites but not enough that it's not tolerable."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Upland?
For camping near Upland, Bonelli Bluffs is an excellent option with lakeside views, though families may note it has limited playground facilities. Just a short drive away is Applewhite Campground in San Bernardino National Forest, offering a natural setting only 5-7 miles from Highway 215. For those willing to venture a bit further, consider Mount Baldy's Manker Campground or Lytle Creek's Bonita Ranch Campground, both offering beautiful mountain scenery within reasonable driving distance from Upland.
What amenities are available at Upland camping areas?
Camping areas around Upland offer varying amenities. O'Neill Regional Park provides clean facilities with free showers, and excellent trails for hiking and biking, though you'll hear some road noise. Serrano offers lakeside camping with friendly staff who provide safety information about local wildlife. Many campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities like vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. For RV campers, Prado Regional Park provides water hookups and is big-rig friendly. Amenities typically include water sources, toilets, and defined campsites, though specific facilities vary by location.
Do I need permits for camping in Upland?
Yes, permits are required for camping in and around Upland. For San Bernardino National Forest areas like San Bernardino National Forest Green Valley Campground, you'll need to secure a camping permit. Many campgrounds like Little Jimmy Trail Campground operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but still require entrance fees or permits. For reservable sites, book through recreation.gov or the specific park's reservation system. Additionally, campfire permits are required for any open flames in many areas, especially during fire season. Always check with the specific campground or land management agency before your trip, as permit requirements may change seasonally.
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