Marion Mountain

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.

Marion Mountain Campground with tents
San Bernardino National Forest Sign
Marion Mountain Campground
Marion Mountain Campground road
Marion Mountain Campground Sign

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

16 total sites

RV Sites

15 sites

Tent Sites

1 site

About Marion Mountain

The Marion Mountain Campground offers a beautiful retreat in the San Bernardino National Forest. It provides access to a number of hiking trails that lead to some of the most spectacular views of Southern California. 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.

Number of accommodations: 16

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

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 Nov 8

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

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

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • BBQ
  • Fire Pit
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Fish Cleaning Station
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
🚐 001, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 002, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 006, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 007, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 008, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 010, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 011, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 012, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 015, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 017, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 018, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 019, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
020, Loop: MARI Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 021, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 022, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 024, Loop: MARI RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (74)

What Guests Are Saying

Marion Mountain Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting for camping and hiking, with well-maintained campsites and stunning views. The location is convenient for accessing trails, including the Marion Mountain Trailhead, and is a short drive to Idyllwild for supplies. However, visitors should be prepared for limited amenities, such as no potable water and basic restroom facilities, and expect close quarters with neighbors during busy weekends.

Review Summary

3.9
74 reviews
5
44.6%
33
4
32.4%
24
3
8.1%
6
2
2.7%
2
1
12.2%
9

Jeremy H

Verified

July 28, 2020 Stayed at: 022, Loop: MARI

4

Good space between camp sites, with a few that are close together as a good choice for groups (such as the inside-the-loop sites). The larger bathroom was cleaner and more odor free than the smaller one in our loop, but as someone who has remote camped, vault toilet camped, etc, the upper was acceptable - it's all about expectations. I'm told that campground opened later in the season than usual due to COVID so bathrooms are in better shape now than they normally would be by this time in the season. Several sites are first-come, first-served. Marion Mountain trail runs past this campground, but it is a severe slope, since the campground is on the side of a mountain, there aren't really any easy/moderate trails right out of the campground. We were fortunate and had water on all week, but there are many warnings that it may not be available. Water spigots are interior so you can't really avoid walking by/through people who are camping when the interior sites are full. We were there mid-week and we did not experience any partiers, just families, hikers, and rock climbers. I would not recommend camping here with a trailer, at least not on the upper loop. We watched one truck+small trailer (17 foot?) bend a rim + blow a tire hitting a rock on a tight corner, and then another travel trailer + camping trailer spend an hour jockeying around, in/out & circling around the lower loop, trying to get into their space. If you're bringing a trailer, my advice is stick to the lower loop. Bring your mosquito repellant.

Michael M

Verified

August 11, 2020 Stayed at: 020, Loop: MARI

5

Great campsite. Try to reserve one of the sites on the northern edge they are very secluded and have great views.

Ian J

Verified

August 19, 2020 Stayed at: 010, Loop: MARI

5

The trip was great! This was our first time visiting Marion Camp ground. We went hoping to grab a first come first serve (FF) site. We lucked out and got a site which we really enjoyed (site 19). It was clean and ready to site camp, Parking was nice, easy load in but far from camping on top of your car. Only comment I have was paying for the space and understanding the reservation system took a little figuring out otherwise it was a perfect weekend and already have reservations for Fern Valley in Sept.

Larry G

Verified

August 24, 2020 Stayed at: 015, Loop: MARI

1

Avoid the Park Rangers, they do what they want and tell lies.

THOMAS E

Verified

August 26, 2020 Stayed at: 019, Loop: MARI

5

One of my favorite campsite in Southern California. In just a short two and a half hour drive from Los Angeles you are in a beautiful, peaceful environment surrounded by the calming effects of unspoiled nature. The sites are well spaced so you never feel as if your neighbors are encroaching on your solitude. Great hiking trails are easily accessible and the views are terrific. I highly recommend this campground.

Brian T

Verified

August 29, 2020 Stayed at: 015, Loop: MARI

5

Other than a couple of loud groups this place was great. Nice views, right on the trailhead, and not stacked on top of each other, nice big sites with parking for 2. It's a great spot.

April H

Verified

September 24, 2020 Stayed at: 019, Loop: MARI

5

We stayed 5 days.

We had a great time. It was pretty quiet, and very cool scenery. The best part was probably the sunset and the night sky. The days are pretty hot during the summer. We visited Idyllwild while we were up there, it's a neat little town.

The only somewhat bothersome part was there were A LOT of mosquitos. Some of the kids got chewed up pretty badly.

Danny T

Verified

October 26, 2020 Stayed at: 011, Loop: MARI

4

The site was really well kept and great views in just a short hike from our site. Unfortunately, campfires were not allowed when we went due to recent fires. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest but overall would recommend and will definitely return during a less dry part of the year.

Andrew H

Verified

November 3, 2020 Stayed at: 008, Loop: MARI

4

I liked the campground. The sites are spaced apart nicely, but the sites on western loop are fairly out in the open so you do see your neighbors quite a bit. However you also get the best views and the nicer toilets on that side too. The eastern loop is set more in the forest and so you tend to have a bit more privacy. Most of the sites require some walking up or down decent little slopes to get from where you park your car to the actual camping spots. Overall, the location is what I came for and that did not disappoint! Toilets weren't the cleanest (on a Sunday night after the weekenders).

Johnny H

Verified

June 5, 2021 Stayed at: 010, Loop: MARI

5

This place was just awesome. clean air lots of birds and good amount of shade. picnic bench and fire ring too. the restrooms were clean (bring your own paper since it was out). only bad was the hike to the peak!!! oh man was it hard and took all day. good thing we took a meal to the top and had lunch near the stone cabin. since there were 2 creek crossings we were able to refill our water too. (bring filter for this). just a spectacular place can't wait to go again!!

Location Marion Mountain

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

Highway access

Marion Mountain Campground is accessible via Highway 243, which connects to Interstate 10 in Banning.

Elevation: 1987 feet

Distance to downtown

7.7 mi drive to downtown Idyllwild (about 17 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. 
  • Please be aware that potable (safe for drinking) water may or may not be available at this campground. Please plan accordingly.
  • 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.
  • Sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping Fees of $10.00 / night and $5.00 / night / extra vehicle may be paid at the campground.  
  • Click here for more information on the San Bernardino National Forest

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: September 1, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service