USDA Forest Service · California
Fern Basin
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 23
- Hookups
- 15 no hookups
- Season
- May 21 to November 8
- Max RV length
- 20 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,220 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 4
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- MARION MOUNTAIN (NFSR 4S71) · asphalt · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- San Bernardino National Forest
- Nearest town
- IDYLLWILD
- Address
- P.O. Box 518, IDYLLWILD, CA, 92549
- Phone
- 909-382-2922
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Lookout Tower, Mountain Biking
21 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
The picturesque Fern Basin Campground is a perfect escape from a busy lifestyle. It provides peace and quiet in the mountains of southern California as well as access to countless recreational opportunities.
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.
Recreation
Visitors to the area enjoy hiking on the Marion Mountain Trail, which leads to San Jacinto Peak. Views from the peak extend to the ocean and across the Palm Desert, as well as the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains on a clear day. The 11.8-mile Marion Mountain Trail is the shortest route up the mountain, but is also quite strenuous in areas.
Facilities
Please be aware that potable (safe for drinking) water may or may not be available at this campground. Please bring ample water for drinking, cooking etc. Fern Basin campground offers about two dozen campsites for both tent and small RV / van camping. All campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are available within the campground.
Natural Features
The campground is located in a grove of mixed oaks and shrubs. A surrounding mixed conifer forest provides spotty shade for the campground. It is situated at an elevation of about 6,300 feet, in the mountains overlooking California's desert.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Bernardino, California, and about seven miles north of the small town of Idyllwild, which is known for its shops and restaurants.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51° | 33° | 19° | 67° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 50° | 30° | 15° | 69° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 53° | 33° | 21° | 81° | 9 of 11 |
| April | 60° | 37° | 27° | 76° | 7 of 11 |
| May | 69° | 43° | 31° | 81° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 82° | 53° | 40° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 86° | 60° | 49° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 58° | 49° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 78° | 53° | 41° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 68° | 44° | 31° | 82° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 61° | 38° | 23° | 71° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 53° | 33° | 19° | 67° | 8 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Marion Mountain · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 27 sites
- Dark Canyon Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 4 sites
- Boulder Basin · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 37 sites
- Mount San Jacinto State Park · California State Parks · 3 mi
- Idyllwild Regional Park · City, County & Regional Parks · 3 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-05-19. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.