Barton Flats sits in the San Bernardino National Forest near Jenks Lake and the Santa Ana River, offering tent and RV sites with full amenities including showers and a dump station. California Land Management operates this mid-elevation forest campground seasonally during peak months. Visitors come for hiking, fishing, boating on Jenks Lake, and biking along mountain trails.
Barton Flats Campground offers a variety of camping options, including sites for tents and RVs. Group sites and accessible sites are also available.
Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer delivers the most reliable mountain weather and full access to Jenks Lake and the Santa Ana River—ideal for boating, fishing, swimming and long alpine hikes. Expect comfortable daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s (around 75–88°F) and cool nights dipping into the 50s (around 50–56°F), which makes evenings perfect for campfires and sleeping without overheating. Trail conditions are dry, most services and amenities are open, and wildlife viewing is excellent, though weekends and holidays
Peak months: July, August, September, June
Avoid: November, December, January, February
Elevation6360 ft above sea level
Natural Features and SceneryPines and oaks dominate the canopy, filtering sunlight onto a forest floor dotted with granite outcrops. The Santa Ana River runs close enough to hear from many sites, and Jenks Lake glints through the trees a short walk away. At this elevation, mornings often arrive with mist clinging to the branches, while evenings paint the western slopes gold. The terrain shows its tectonic history: weathered granite and steep-sided valleys carved by ancient glaciers.
Programs & ActivitiesPrograms are held at the nearby Grayback Amphitheater during summer. Topics often focus on local wildlife and natural history.