Black Mountain Group Campground sits at 7,500 feet in the San Bernardino National Forest, designed for groups of up to 100 people who don't mind a rough road to get there. The elevation keeps things cool even in warmer months, and the remote location means you'll need high-clearance or four-wheel drive to make the approach.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $50
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 7,500 ft
- 📍GPS
- 33.83306, -116.74028
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
Amenities
Getting There
Black Mountain Road demands respect — high clearance is essential, and four-wheel drive is recommended. The campground sits 50 miles southeast of San Bernardino and 16 miles north of Idyllwild, but that final stretch weeds out casual visitors. Factor extra time for the drive, especially if you're hauling gear for a large group.
The Camp
This is strictly group camping — one reservation accommodates up to 100 people and 25 vehicles. The setup is straightforward: fire rings, vault toilets, and picnic tables scattered across the site. At 7,500 feet elevation, the forest setting provides natural cooling that makes summer gatherings bearable, though nights drop significantly even during warmer months.
What to Know
Reservations are required, and the single-group format means availability is either all or nothing. The elevation works in your favor during spring and fall when lower campgrounds can be uncomfortably warm, but pack layers regardless of season. Winter access becomes questionable with snow, making this primarily a three-season camp.
The remote location and challenging access road mean you're committed once you arrive. Plan accordingly — forgotten essentials require another rough drive out and back. The payoff is genuine isolation for large groups, something increasingly hard to find in Southern California's national forests.