Boulder Basin

Warning

General

A bear or multiple bears have been spotted in the area. Please be aware at all times, and visit our agency website for bear safety tips and more information.

Warning

General

A bear or multiple bears have been spotted in the area. Please be aware at all times, and visit our agency website for bear safety tips and more information.

View of Boulder Basin Campground with campground sign.
Campsite with picnic table.
Campsite with picnic table and parking area.
Campsite with picnic table and restroom.

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

16 total sites

RV Sites

7 sites

Tent Sites

9 sites

About Boulder Basin

Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is recommended with a minimum ground clearance of 6 inches. Drive at your own risk. The San Bernardino National Forest is submitting a proposal to increase fees at various sites across the Forest and is seeking public input. Please visit the https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for more information and to submit comments regarding this proposal.Boulder Basin Campground offers solitude and primitive camping in a scenic mountain landscape. The area provides ample recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, boulder climbing and more. Black Mountain Road, which accesses Boulder Basin Campground, is a narrow rough dirt road which may not be suitable for all vehicles.

Number of accommodations: 16

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 21 to Oct 25

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • BBQ
  • Fire Pit
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

16 Sites Available

Site
Price
003, Loop: BOUL Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 005, Loop: BOUL RV
No Hookups
Price not available
008, Loop: BOUL Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 009, Loop: BOUL RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 013, Loop: BOUL RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 015, Loop: BOUL RV
No Hookups
Price not available
017, Loop: BOUL Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 022, Loop: BOUL RV
No Hookups
Price not available
023, Loop: BOUL Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
025, Loop: BOUL Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
026, Loop: BOUL Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 027, Loop: BOUL RV
No Hookups
Price not available
028, Loop: BOUL Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 029, Loop: BOUL RV
No Hookups
Price not available
030, Loop: BOUL Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
032, Loop: BOUL Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (38)

What Guests Are Saying

Boulder Basin Campground is praised for its beautiful, remote setting, well-maintained facilities, and ample space between campsites, making it ideal for families and nature lovers. Many enjoy the scenic hikes and peaceful ambiance among the trees and granite boulders. However, some visitors have encountered issues with site reservations and challenging access roads, which may deter those with lower-clearance vehicles. Overall, the campground offers a solid getaway experience for those prepared for its remote nature.

Review Summary

4.2
38 reviews
5
50.0%
19
4
34.2%
13
3
7.9%
3
2
5.3%
2
1
2.6%
1

Philip R

Verified

June 26, 2025 Stayed at: 030, Loop: BOUL

5

Deserted during on weekdays. Beautiful forest. The road is rough in places but there were sedans in the campground. Lifted 4x4 is better. The vaults are clean enough, the fire pits were too full to use.

Greg B

Verified

July 9, 2025 Stayed at: 027, Loop: BOUL

4

This is a great camp ground. We go there as much as possible.

Jeff C

Verified

July 14, 2025 Stayed at: 028, Loop: BOUL

4

Very remote but we’ll maintained campground.

Kevin T

Verified

August 9, 2025 Stayed at: 008, Loop: BOUL

5

Great spot.

Anna W

Verified

September 14, 2025 Stayed at: 032, Loop: BOUL

3

I only give this a 3 probably for the campsite I chose and for the all the bugs. Campsite wise, #32 was completely on a slope. We were sleeplessly sliding in the tent throughout the night. I would recommend any of the campsites on the north eastern side. They all seemed very flat and with a good view off the side of the mountain. Weatherwise, it was it was hot but in the best way. BUGS. EVERYWHERE. Going at the end of summer, we beat the highest heat but the mosquitos were still biting. Our table had no shade either. Otherwise, it was a solid weekend getaway. Quiet off season camp, beautiful trees and stunning natural rock sculptures. The hike to the firetower was straight forward and a perfect spot to see the sunrise. The truck trail up was not as bad as I was expecting but wholly recommend high clearance and 4wd.

Brian F

Verified

September 28, 2025 Stayed at: 015, Loop: BOUL

4

Camp ground was in great shape. As it’s about end of season the pit restrooms were quite ripe. Over all I have missed this area.

Trey L

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 009, Loop: BOUL

5

great spot! loved making the trek over the dirt roads. can’t wait to go back!

Heather W

Verified

October 24, 2025 Stayed at: 030, Loop: BOUL

1

I have been coming to this campground and this particular site for years. The last 3 times I have made a reservation for a Saturday night, and showed up at check in time to settle into my site, someone has been in it claiming it’s theirs. This last time, the person was hostile, aggressive, and after 45 minutes of arguing and my reservation being clearly posted on the kiosk, he finally moved, but not without screaming profanity and driving erratically out of the site. He then returned in the evening and walked into our campsite screaming at us and got into my face. He clearly had drugs crusted around the ring of his nose as my headlamp shined in his face that was 4 inches from mine as he yelled. I am a female, and this was not only scary and threatening but outright unsafe. We ended up leaving early. This was SO disappointing and scary. After a decade of so many fond memories; I hate saying I probably won’t be back. The crowd has gotten… questionable. Not the same easy going, friendly climber culture it has been for as long as I have been going. It’s a shame there are no longer rangers up there. It’s showing.

Location Boulder Basin

Address:
Po Box 518
Idyllwild, CA, 92549
United States

Elevation: 2282 feet

Distance to downtown

13 mi drive to downtown Idyllwild (about 41 min)

Policies & Rules

General

  • Fire Restrictions are in effect, check in with the San Jacinto Ranger District by calling (909) 382-2921 to confirm. Wood and charcoal fires are NOT permitted. Cooking stoves or fireplaces using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are still allowed. 
  • Water is not provided at this campground. Potable (tested monthly) water may be available from a natural spring along Black Mountain road. Bring your own containers.
  • Sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping fees of $10.00 / night and $5.00 / night / extra vehicle is due within 30 minutes of arrival at the campground.  
  • Basic camping fee ($10.00) covers the first vehicle. Extra vehicle fee of $5.00 / night / vehicle should be deposited into the fee tube located at the entrance to the campground within 30 minutes of arrival.
  • Click here for more information on the San Bernardino National Forest
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Warnings & Advisories

Warning

General

A bear or multiple bears have been spotted in the area. Please be aware at all times, and visit our agency website for bear safety tips and more information.

Warning

General

A bear or multiple bears have been spotted in the area. Please be aware at all times, and visit our agency website for bear safety tips and more information.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: August 30, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service