Fern Basin sits in a mixed oak grove at 6,300 feet, offering the rare combination of mountain camping with desert views below. The two dozen sites work for both tents and small RVs, with the Marion Mountain Trail to San Jacinto Peak starting practically from your camp chair.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 💵Fee per Night
- $10
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 6,200 ft
- 📍GPS
- 33.78861, -116.73778
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 909-382-2922
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The campground spreads through a grove of mixed oaks with scattered conifers providing partial shade overhead. At 6,300 feet, you're high enough to escape the desert heat while still looking out over California's low country. Each of the roughly 24 sites comes with a picnic table and fire ring with grill, sized to accommodate tents and smaller RVs or vans. Vault toilets serve the campground, though potable water availability varies — bring your own to be safe.
The Peak Route
Marion Mountain Trail launches directly from the area, making this the staging ground for the shortest route up San Jacinto Peak. The 11.8-mile round trip gets steep in sections, but the payoff spans from Pacific Ocean to Palm Desert to the San Bernardino and San Gabriel ranges on clear days. It's a genuine workout, but having your tent waiting at the trailhead beats driving home after a summit day.
What to Know
Reservations are required, and spring and fall mark the prime seasons before summer heat or winter snow. The campground sits about seven miles north of Idyllwild if you need supplies or want to hit the town's shops and restaurants. From San Bernardino, it's roughly a 50-mile drive southeast into the mountains.