Bonita Canyon Campground

We LOVE Bonita campground. This was probably our 10th time camping here. Bathrooms were supposed to be up and running by the date of our reservation but the construction dates were extended. No big because there were plenty outhouses available and they were clean. This trip was a little frustrating due to the camp host Pam. We always bring a fire pit because no ground fires are allowed. Our first stay ever at Bonita we were told by the ranger as long as it’s off the ground contained in a pit you could have fires. For the past 8 years this is how we have had fires when we camped here. we just bought a new fire pit so lit it up once the sun started to set 10 minutes later here comes Pam, the camp host inquiring about the fire pit. Hey no big deal that’s her job but then she continues to go on for 10 minutes about how she’s a rule follower and we can’t use that fire pit because it’s actually touching the ground and we have to either put it out or put it up on rocks. In no way did we argue, but she continued to go on and on and insisted we would be fined if we did not comply. We agreed that we would let it go out and put it up on rock so we could continue to use it. For the remainder of our stay, she insisted on checking and reviewing everything that we were doing. We walked to the bathrooms together, came back and there was a note about our cooler being out. Yes, this is the rules that coolers should be put away. We understand that and we failed to do so, but it just seemed that she was bored and looking to find things to give her purpose such as write up campers. Mind you, never a word to the campers across from us who had a kid that played his toy recorder nonstop for four hours. Bottom line, the Camp Host should be friendly and approachable. Pam was not. She was the fun police and unfriendly even before our fire pit interactions. Bonita is still a great campground.

We LOVE Bonita campground. This was probably our 10th time camping here. Bathrooms were supposed to be up and running by the date of our reservation but the construction dates were extended. No big because there were plenty outhouses available and they were clean. This trip was a little frustrating due to the camp host Pam. We always bring a fire pit because no ground fires are allowed. Our first stay ever at Bonita we were told by the ranger as long as it’s off the ground contained in a pit you could have fires. For the past 8 years this is how we have had fires when we camped here. we just bought a new fire pit so lit it up once the sun started to set 10 minutes later here comes Pam, the camp host inquiring about the fire pit. Hey no big deal that’s her job but then she continues to go on for 10 minutes about how she’s a rule follower and we can’t use that fire pit because it’s actually touching the ground and we have to either put it out or put it up on rocks. In no way did we argue, but she continued to go on and on and insisted we would be fined if we did not comply. We agreed that we would let it go out and put it up on rock so we could continue to use it. For the remainder of our stay, she insisted on checking and reviewing everything that we were doing. We walked to the bathrooms together, came back and there was a note about our cooler being out. Yes, this is the rules that coolers should be put away. We understand that and we failed to do so, but it just seemed that she was bored and looking to find things to give her purpose such as write up campers. Mind you, never a word to the campers across from us who had a kid that played his toy recorder nonstop for four hours. Bottom line, the Camp Host should be friendly and approachable. Pam was not. She was the fun police and unfriendly even before our fire pit interactions. Bonita is still a great campground.

Appreciate the large number of portable toilets while the restroom is undergoing renovations

Appreciate the large number of portable toilets while the restroom is undergoing renovations

The campground location is beautiful. Unfortunately, the campground host was intrusive and rude. The campground host's behaviors spoiled our stay.

The campground location is beautiful. Unfortunately, the campground host was intrusive and rude. The campground host's behaviors spoiled our stay.

The recreation.gov system needs a serious overhaul. I had nothing but problems with my reservation at this campground from the get-go. The online system for this campground DOES NOT work. If you need to reschedule you need to call and wait an hour on hold for an agent. I lost a huge amount of money on this campground due to multiple weather-related reschedules over the last year. Then, when I was finally about to be able to make it there, my vehicle broke down a little more than 24 hours prior to check-in, but I was unable to reach anyone to delay my arrival or reschedule (there was no cell service while I waited to get back on the road). I requested a refund, or at least a partial one, as I've paid over $65 into this particular reservation with the reschedules and a rate hike that occurred at the beginning of this year. I noticed that EVERY time they still filled my reservation, so no money was lost on their end (this campground is BUSY AF all year round). So, rec.gov or the campground, or whoever all these fees got to got PLENTY of money from me, and I wasn't even offered a partial refund nor a shred of sympathy for my car troubles. This place is maybe just bad luck/bad vibes or something. Between the constant issues even trying to get there and the lack of care/greed of the people handling reservations, I'm ready to just give up and won't ever try to camp here any more. There are plenty of other cool places with rocks and trees and better management. Go ahead and keep robbing people, rec.gov and Bonita campground management... KARMA will get you in the end, you greedy people!!

Bonita Campground is lovely. The spaces are small and enclosed by trees. The campground hots were friendly and helpful. I hope to return.

The recreation.gov system needs a serious overhaul. I had nothing but problems with my reservation at this campground from the get-go. The online system for this campground DOES NOT work. If you need to reschedule you need to call and wait an hour on hold for an agent. I lost a huge amount of money on this campground due to multiple weather-related reschedules over the last year. Then, when I was finally about to be able to make it there, my vehicle broke down a little more than 24 hours prior to check-in, but I was unable to reach anyone to delay my arrival or reschedule (there was no cell service while I waited to get back on the road). I requested a refund, or at least a partial one, as I've paid over $65 into this particular reservation with the reschedules and a rate hike that occurred at the beginning of this year. I noticed that EVERY time they still filled my reservation, so no money was lost on their end (this campground is BUSY AF all year round). So, rec.gov or the campground, or whoever all these fees got to got PLENTY of money from me, and I wasn't even offered a partial refund nor a shred of sympathy for my car troubles. This place is maybe just bad luck/bad vibes or something. Between the constant issues even trying to get there and the lack of care/greed of the people handling reservations, I'm ready to just give up and won't ever try to camp here any more. There are plenty of other cool places with rocks and trees and better management. Go ahead and keep robbing people, rec.gov and Bonita campground management... KARMA will get you in the end, you greedy people!!

Bonita Campground is lovely. The spaces are small and enclosed by trees. The campground hots were friendly and helpful. I hope to return.