Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates15 total sites
RV Sites
15 sites
About Fern Basin
Number of accommodations: 15
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Year-round
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- BBQ
- Fire Pit
On Site Services
- Fish Cleaning Station
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 (179)
What Guests Are Saying
Fern Basin is a lovely, quiet campground located close to town, ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat in a beautiful area with ample shade and large, secluded sites. While some facilities, such as running water and campfires, were lacking, the well-maintained vault toilets and friendly park rangers contributed to a positive experience. Visitors appreciated the clean environment and proximity to hiking trails, though they noted issues like mosquitoes and tight roads that may require caution while driving.
What Guests Are Saying
Fern Basin is a lovely, quiet campground located close to town, ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat in a beautiful area with ample shade and large, secluded sites. While some facilities, such as running water and campfires, were lacking, the well-maintained vault toilets and friendly park rangers contributed to a positive experience. Visitors appreciated the clean environment and proximity to hiking trails, though they noted issues like mosquitoes and tight roads that may require caution while driving.
Review Summary
Ruth A
VerifiedJune 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: FERN
quiet, lovely, temperature was cool, off a paved road, good hiking
Mark A
VerifiedJune 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: FERN
Enjoyable location, easy to find. Do your research on towable gear and size. Some sites just wont “fit”’certain towables.
Mark A
VerifiedJune 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: FERN
Enjoyable location, easy to find. Do your research on towable gear and size. Some sites just wont “fit”’certain towables.
Jannika L
VerifiedJune 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: FERN
Quiet, simple set up. Lots of trees, lots of trails. About 15 min to cute town of Idyllwild.
Jannika L
VerifiedJune 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: FERN
Quiet, simple set up. Lots of trees, lots of trails. About 15 min to cute town of Idyllwild.
Caroline M
VerifiedJune 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: FERN
Awesome view! Flat area for rent and a few trees for hammocks.
Caroline M
VerifiedJune 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: FERN
Awesome view! Flat area for rent and a few trees for hammocks.
Renata M
VerifiedNovember 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: FERN
We arrived lately, then the check hour, and wasn't anybody there. Even on the next day. We verified the area, and we couldn't found anybody for check-in. It was very creepy and the ground wasn't flat. No water, no signal just after 10 minutes driving, no one else there so we left the campground earlier with one day.
Renata M
VerifiedNovember 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: FERN
We arrived lately, then the check hour, and wasn't anybody there. Even on the next day. We verified the area, and we couldn't found anybody for check-in. It was very creepy and the ground wasn't flat. No water, no signal just after 10 minutes driving, no one else there so we left the campground earlier with one day.
Erin H
VerifiedNovember 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: FERN
Loved it! I went with a group of friends and we had a great time.
The campground was a little hard for us to find. It's set back a ways from the main road, down a narrow, windy road through what appears to be a (very spread-out) residential area. There is a clearly marked sign for Fern Basin at the fork in that road, but there weren't signs along the way. It really isn't bad in hindsight, but we couldn't make it until dark and the lack of signs made us worry that we were lost. Just don't second-guess yourself and don't listen to your GPS if it says you've arrived halfway down the road :)
The camp itself is so beautiful, and I really appreciated that there are paved and clearly-marked parking spots next to the sites. The sites are huge. Many of them are pretty hilly though, so keep that in mind when finding a spot for your tent.
The area is gorgeous and very peaceful. It's not far from Idyllwild (with supplies and a cute town center if you want that "luxury") but it felt tucked away in another world. Even when we went to Mt. San Jacinto up the road, we only saw a handful of people. (Highly recommend taking that hike, by the way!) Our time there was exactly what we needed and we definitely want to come back again.
Location & Directions for Fern Basin
P.O. Box 518, Idyllwild, CA 92549 United States
Elevation: 1,906 ft
Getting There
From Idyllwild, travel north on State Route 243 about 4 mi. 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 tur...
From Idyllwild, travel north on State Route 243 about 4 mi. 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.
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.
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Last updated: October 16, 2026
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