About Fern Basin
Number of accommodations: 15
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
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Rates, Sites & Availability
15 Sites Available
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Site Details
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15 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (162)
What Guests Are Saying
Fern Basin is a charming and peaceful campground ideal for tent campers, offering friendly park rangers and clean vault toilets. Visitors appreciate the shaded sites, beautiful surroundings, and opportunities for nature exploration, with many highlighting the tranquility and lack of noise. Some challenges include tight roads, limited privacy, and occasional mosquito issues, but overall, it is well-regarded for a restful camping experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Fern Basin is a charming and peaceful campground ideal for tent campers, offering friendly park rangers and clean vault toilets. Visitors appreciate the shaded sites, beautiful surroundings, and opportunities for nature exploration, with many highlighting the tranquility and lack of noise. Some challenges include tight roads, limited privacy, and occasional mosquito issues, but overall, it is well-regarded for a restful camping experience.
Review Summary
Kara B
VerifiedJune 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: FERN
There was no water on-site due to pending repairs, but we were notified before we arrived and came prepared. There was a campfire restriction placed just prior to us arriving, which we were not aware of until arrival, which was a bummer but we made the best of it. Overall, it is very shaded and quiet with granite boulders for the kids to climb on - nice campground with clean pit toilets.
Kara B
VerifiedJune 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: FERN
The Idyllwild Nature Center was fun to visit and there are many trails to hike. We took the summit trail (with kids and a dog) and it was lovely with some amazing views.
Kara B
VerifiedJune 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: FERN
There was no water on-site due to pending repairs, but we were notified before we arrived and came prepared. There was a campfire restriction placed just prior to us arriving, which we were not aware of until arrival, which was a bummer but we made the best of it. Overall, it is very shaded and quiet with granite boulders for the kids to climb on - nice campground with clean pit toilets.
Kara B
VerifiedJune 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: FERN
The Idyllwild Nature Center was fun to visit and there are many trails to hike. We took the summit trail (with kids and a dog) and it was lovely with some amazing views.
Mason A
VerifiedNovember 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: FERN
Gorgeous views and ample shade throughout. Not crowded at all. Bathrooms are not as maintained as some other campgrounds.
Mason A
VerifiedNovember 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: FERN
Gorgeous views and ample shade throughout. Not crowded at all. Bathrooms are not as maintained as some other campgrounds.
THOMAS E
VerifiedOctober 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: FERN
Spacious, quiet and accessible, Fern Basin Campground is an Oasis of beauty and tranquility.
THOMAS E
VerifiedOctober 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: FERN
Spacious, quiet and accessible, Fern Basin Campground is an Oasis of beauty and tranquility.
Alexandra A
VerifiedOctober 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: FERN
Great campground, lots of shade.
Dwayne F
VerifiedOctober 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: FERN
A beautiful, well-maintained camp ground. I don't think there is a bad site in the place. Access to the Marion Mountain trail and an easy 15-minute drive into Idyllwild.
There is intermittent cell service in the campground and surrounding woods/boulders. Coverage is not reliable, but good enough for some texts here and there.
Pit toilets were clean, stocked with toilet paper, and had very few flies
Location Fern Basin
Address:
P.O. Box 518
Idyllwild, CA, 92549
United States
From Idyllwild, travel north on State Route 243 about 4 miles. Turn right at the campground sign and continue to Forest Service Road 4S02. Turn left and proceed less than a mile to an intersection. Continue straight on the Forest Service Road and turn left into the campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 33.7886 / -116.738
Elevation: 1906 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 5, 2026
