Council Group Campground sits at 6,360 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains, designed for large gatherings of up to 50 people. It's a single group site in pine forest along the Rim of the World Scenic Byway, with direct access to the Santa Ana River Trail and nearby Jenks Lake.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $10
- 📍GPS
- 34.17154, -116.88215
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
This is a purpose-built group campground with one accessible site that handles both tents and RVs. The setup accommodates 50 people and 13 vehicles, with standard picnic tables and campfire rings plus larger fire circles for group activities. The pine forest setting provides shade at elevation, with accessible vault toilets and drinking water on-site. A campground host at nearby Barton Flats Campground handles check-in and questions about the area.
What to Know
Group sites book 12 months in advance — standard for popular spots in the San Bernardino National Forest. At $10 per night for the entire group, it's a solid deal for large gatherings. The location just off Highway 38 makes it accessible without requiring high-clearance vehicles.
Nearby
The campground connects directly to the Santa Ana River Trail, part of an ambitious route that will eventually run from the mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Currently, hikers, bikers, and horseback riders use the completed sections. The Rio Monte Trail leads to Rio Monte Panorama, which overlooks the Santa Ana River Valley gorge.
Jenks Lake sits nearby with non-motorized boating, including kayaking and canoeing. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and also holds largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and catfish. The Santa Ana River offers additional fishing opportunities.
On summer weekends, the Grayback Amphitheater on State Route 38 hosts educational programs about local history and natural features, presented by the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association.