Need a good beginner camping site recommendation

[Beardoh]

Hello all my wife and I have really put some thought into camping this summer she's never been and I haven't been in years what are some good recommendations in the inland Empire area for beginner camping. And what I mean is camping grounds where you driving to, that are safer then roughing it. I don't want her to be turned off by having a bad experience although she's a pretty tough gal.

Any recommendations and experiences are welcome.
Thanks!

[toklad]

go to Blue jay it is a great easy place to get to and great for "easy" camping.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recarea/?recid=47588

there are plenty of great places to start out your camping. this is only one. I'm sure others will post with their favorites.

[Eat Dirt]

Lake Hemet Campground

Or
For the Lower elevations Lake Skinner has a nice camping area

[Garv]

Cottonwood in Joshua Tree, not as pretty as the main area, but rarely crowded.

Take the Lost Palms Oasis hike if you are up for about 5 - 6 miles.

[glockman19]

Check out this site:

https://www.recreation.gov/

campsites in your area are:


Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground, California
part ofSan Bernardino National Forest, US Forest Service
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Photo: JUNIPER SPRINGS GROUP CAMP, CA
JUNIPER SPRINGS GROUP CAMP, California
part ofSan Bernardino National Forest, US Forest Service
Average Rating: 4.8Average Rating: 4.8Average Rating: 4.8Average Rating: 4.8Average Rating: 4.8
4 Ratings
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Juniper Springs Group Campground is a primitive facility located about 10 miles from Big Bear Lake, ...[more]

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Photo: TANGLEWOOD GROUP CAMP, CA
TANGLEWOOD GROUP CAMP, California
part ofSan Bernardino National Forest, US Forest Service
Average Rating: 3.4Average Rating: 3.4Average Rating: 3.4Average Rating: 3.4Average Rating: 3.4
5 Ratings
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The Tanglewood Group Campground provides a picturesque spot for an extended family or large group ...[more]

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Photo: GREEN SPOT EQUESTRIAN GROUP CAMP, CA
GREEN SPOT EQUESTRIAN GROUP CAMP, California
part ofSan Bernardino National Forest, US Forest Service
Average Rating: 5.0Average Rating: 5.0Average Rating: 5.0Average Rating: 5.0Average Rating: 5.0
2 Ratings
Camping
Green Spot Equestrian Group Campground provides access to a number of recreational activities in the...[more]

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Photo: WILD HORSE EQUESTRIAN FAMILY
WILD HORSE EQUESTRIAN FAMILY, California
part ofSan Bernardino National Forest, US Forest Service
Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7
33 Ratings
Camping
The Wild Horse Equestrian Campground is one of a handful that is equipped for corralling horses in ...[more]

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Photo: COULTER GROUP CAMPGROUND
COULTER GROUP CAMPGROUND, California
part ofAngeles National Forest, US Forest Service
Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7
3 Ratings
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At Coulter Group Campground groups can relax and enjoy the experience of being outdoors without ...[more]

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Photo: BUTTERCUP GROUP CAMP
BUTTERCUP GROUP CAMP, California
part ofSan Bernardino National Forest, US Forest Service
Average Rating: 5.0Average Rating: 5.0Average Rating: 5.0Average Rating: 5.0Average Rating: 5.0
4 Ratings
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Buttercup Group Camp is an outdoor oasis nestled in Southern California's pine-covered mountains...[more]

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Photo: SERRANO
SERRANO, California
part ofSan Bernardino National Forest, US Forest Service
Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7Average Rating: 4.7
841 Ratings
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Serrano Campground is a beautiful place for campers to come to enjoy beautiful Big Bear Lake. It is ...[more]

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Photo: PINEKNOT
PINEKNOT, California
part ofSan Bernardino National Forest, US Forest Service
Average Rating: 4.6Average Rating: 4.6Average Rating: 4.6Average Rating: 4.6Average Rating: 4.6
261 Ratings
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Pineknot Campground is located in the mountains of San Bernardino at Big Bear Lake. It is a popular ...[more]

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Photo: COON CREEK GROUP CAMPGROUND, CA
COON CREEK GROUP CAMPGROUND, California
part ofSan Bernardino National Forest, US Forest Service
Average Rating: 3.3Average Rating: 3.3Average Rating: 3.3Average Rating: 3.3Average Rating: 3.3
4 Ratings
Camping
The Coon Creek Group Campground is located in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California. The...[more]

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[Cactus_Tim]

Mt. San Jacinto State Park Campground

Pros: Located in Idyllwild, has nice showers, nice hiking in the area, town is right there if you need something from the store, and good local restaurants if you don't want to cook.

Cons: it's by the road.



Alternately: Idyllwild County Park

Not as nice as San Jacinto. But further from the road.

[VictorFranko]

I don't want her to be turned off by having a bad experience.........

So camp sex with you is out, huh?

Welcome to CG's, have a good trip wherever you decide to go.

[Beardoh]

So camp sex with you is out, huh?

Welcome to CG's, have a good trip wherever you decide to go.

Hahah! Thank you for the warm welcome. Camping sex was the first thing on my mind when we get out there. I mean what's the point of bringing your old lady if you're not going to bang her in nature right?

[Eat Dirt]

Hahah! Thank you for the warm welcome. Camping sex was the first thing on my mind when we get out there. I mean what's the point of bringing your old lady if you're not going to bang her in nature right?

.

[God Bless America]

Hello all my wife and I have really put some thought into camping this summer she's never been and I haven't been in years what are some good recommendations in the inland Empire area for beginner camping. And what I mean is camping grounds where you driving to, that are safer then roughing it. I don't want her to be turned off by having a bad experience although she's a pretty tough gal.

Any recommendations and experiences are welcome.
Thanks!

Bogart park in cherry valley. Water and a bathroom and fire pits.

[guns'n'heels]

Okand now let's get some spot suggestions for the experienced camper....go!

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[packnrat]

maybe your back yard?

[Barbarosa]

Joshua Tree is camp-friendly, but can be overrun with "hipsters" at times.

Check out the Yellow Post camp sites in Big Bear. Only 13 of them and first-come-first serve, but really nice if you can get one.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/?recid=74095

[xMAC1x]

https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Hidden Valley is a cool spot. If you have to go on the weekend, always try and get there before noon on Friday's. Lots of camp sites fill up on weekends.

[CHEONG_FUN]

My small family of 4, wife, 2 kids, and myself, were in the same boat as you. Our first trip was to wrightwood, Table Mountain Campground. My wife really liked the outdoors, she started off more of a glamper for sure. Wanted a shower, internet, and a concierge desk lol. But our first trip outdoors was pretty awesome. Table mountain is more suited for some hiking etc, not much else to do.

Our second trip we decide to head to Green Valley Lake Campground. I highly recommend this campground as they do have running water for sinks and flushable toilets. But the best part is that the actual lake is about a mile drive and you can kayak, paddle board, peddle boat, fish, hand out by the water and beach, bring the dog to hang out in the water (specific section and can't tie up). There are a few restaurants in the area that are alright, looks like it's more for locals.

On our second visit to Green Valley Lake Campground we got there too late around 11:30am and all the sites were full.

I forgot to mention these campgrounds have first come first serve options and that's why I wanted to go to these campgrounds. If you plan it out you can try to reverse weeks in advance but they get full pretty quick.

Hopefully that helped a bit. Btw we cooked all our meals. If camping is something you foresee in your future for a few times a year like us, camping gear can get expensive but for the experience my kids have it's worth it. And really you're just buying gear that you're going to keep reusing. Don't worry about buying some $500 tent from REI. Picking up most things at Big 5 is cool. And ask if it's been on sale recently, usually they'll check and give you sale price. I do that on bigger items. Tents, stoves, etc.

Good luck on your first trip.



Edit: oops didn't know this was that old of a thead. Hopefully you went and had fun.