How much does camping cost at Heart Bar Campground?

Camping fees at Heart Bar Campground range from $29-$58/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Heart Bar Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Heart Bar Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Heart Bar Campground before I book?

Yes! Heart Bar Campground has 9 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Heart Bar Campground?

Heart Bar Campground is open April 17 to October 09. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Heart Bar Campground?

Heart Bar Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Heart Bar Campground have?

Heart Bar Campground has 70 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Heart Bar Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Heart Bar Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Heart Bar Campground?

Heart Bar Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Heart Bar Campground?

Popular activities at Heart Bar Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Heart Bar Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Heart Bar Campground?

Fire policies at Heart Bar Campground: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather-related closures contact the forest supervisor's office, at (909) 382-2600.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.66

291 reviews

HWY 38 FOREST SERVICE RD 1N02

Pet Friendly

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds California Best Campgrounds California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,880 ft

Price

$29 - $58/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

70 campsites

Season

Open during peak sea...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Top 3% in state

RV Friendly

Book on Mountaintop Recreation, a division of California Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,880 ft

Price

$29 - $58/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

70 campsites

Season

Open during peak sea...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Top 3% in state

RV Friendly

Book on Mountaintop Recreation, a division of California Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Heart Bar Campground

$29.00 - $58.00 / night

Campsite Fees

RV NONELECTRIC: $29.00 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $56.00 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $29.00 (+$2.00 holiday). Plus...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

909-866-8550clm@clm-services.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

HWY 38 FOREST SERVICE RD 1N02

Heart Bar Campground

HWY 38 FOREST SERVICE RD 1N02

Nearby places

Big Bear Lake (20 miles, approximately 30 minutes drive)

Redlands (30 miles, approximately 45 minutes drive)

Weather at Heart Bar Campground

Current alerts(6)

Click here for more information on the San Bernardino National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
In accordance with standard industry practices, Mountain Top Recreation will be assessing a $8 additional vehicle fee per night on the second vehicle i n each single family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicles in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are…
Opening day for this campground has been delayed due to continued road damage repair work. We hope to be able to open at some point this year, but as of right now that seems unlikely.

Best Time to Camp at Heart Bar Campground

Best season: fall. Early fall (September–early October) is the best time to visit because temperatures are crisp and stable—typically daytime highs in the 50s–70s°F and nights dropping into the 30s–40s—making hiking, mountain biking, and fishing especially pleasant. Trails and roads are dryer than spring, fall color appears in the aspen and high-elevation brush, and wildlife is active around water sources. Expect moderate crowds (busy on holiday weekends but generally quieter than midsummer); plan for an early- to Peak months: September, October, August, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Early fall called the best time: drier trails, cooler nights, quieter experience in reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 17 to October 09. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open during peak season from July 1 to October 11. Closed for reservations during the off-season (October 11 – April 17).

About Heart Bar Campground

Heart Bar Campground sits in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake, operated by Mountaintop Recreation. The mid-elevation forest setting offers spacious sites for tents and RVs, with vault toilets, potable water, and a dump station. Visitors come for hiking, fishing, and mountain biking on nearby trails, and the campground operates seasonally during peak months with a 14-day stay limit.

Heart Bar Campground supports diverse camping experiences, including tent and RV camping, as well as group sites.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Early fall (September–early October) is the best time to visit because temperatures are crisp and stable—typically daytime highs in the 50s–70s°F and nights dropping into the 30s–40s—making hiking, mountain biking, and fishing especially pleasant. Trails and roads are dryer than spring, fall color appears in the aspen and high-elevation brush, and wildlife is active around water sources. Expect moderate crowds (busy on holiday weekends but generally quieter than midsummer); plan for an early- to Peak months: September, October, August, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation6880 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe Santa Ana River begins its journey through Southern California here among pine-covered ridgelines and open meadows. Pines dominate the canopy, creating shade across most sites, but the forest floor lacks dense underbrush. You'll have easy walking and clear sightlines to neighboring campers. Mountain vistas open up between the trees, and the elevation keeps the air crisp even on warm afternoons. Some sites, like #32, sit beneath thick tree cover with generous space. Others feel more exposed.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodge-style accommodations available. Camping is limited to tent and RV setups.

Programs & ActivitiesNo mention of cultural or educational programs offered at the campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay allowed is 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Single sites accommodate up to 8 guests, while double sites allow additional capacity.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

AccessibilityThe campground includes accessible campsites and vault toilets designed to cater to users with disabilities.

Site SizeCampsites vary in size, from compact to very spacious. One user noted, "Our site (32) was huge and had lots of trees.

PrivacyThe privacy level varies significantly. Some areas are described as "open and spacious," while others lack underbrush, leading to less privacy between sites.

Total Campsites70 campsites

Recommended SitesOuter loop sites provide more privacy and better views. Double sites are ideal for larger groups.

Best CampsitesReviewers favor sites in Aspen Loop and Grinnell Peak Loop for space and views. Site 32 earned specific praise for its size and tree coverage. The loops vary in openness. Some offer more breathing room between neighbors than others.

Need help booking Heart Bar Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Heart Bar Campground offers a blend of essential amenities and rustic charm. "The campground offers multiple single, double, and accessible campsites, available for tent and RV camping. While there are no hookups available at the campground, a dump station with potable water is available nearby." Each site features a picnic table and fire ring with a grill. "Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided." Firewood can be purchased on-site. However, some guests have noted issues with vault toilet cleanliness and odors, such as "the bathrooms are vault and had a strong offensive odor," while others appreciated their maintenance: "Pit toilets are cleaned often and scented." Additional parking is available for campers.

Potable water

Dump station

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Firewood available

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Heart Bar Campground offers diverse recreational activities, including hiking, biking, and fishing. "The famed Santa Ana River Trail provides miles of scenic mountain views," and the Wildhorse Creek Trail offers a 5-mile, moderately difficult hike.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available. Only vault toilets are present, and reviews vary widely about their conditions. Some noted, "Vault toilets are very smelly," while others appreciated that they "are cleaned often and scented."

Food Storage RequiredLockers are provided at each site for secure storage of food and scented items, designed to prevent wildlife encounters.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyFire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather-related closures contact the forest supervisor's office, at (909) 382-2600.

Trash & RecyclingTrash bins are available throughout the campground, and some areas also offer recycling bins. Users mentioned, "There are spigots throughout the area with trash bins and recycling bins."

Cell CoverageMixed reports about cell phone service. One user noted, "No cell phone signal," while another mentioned that Verizon had very little coverage. Service quality likely depends on the provider.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.7

291 reviews

Top-Rated

Heart Bar Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground’s cleanliness, spacious sites, and friendly hosts. However, issues such as vault toilet odors, occasional noise from neighboring campers, and bugs like flies and moths are commonly mentioned.

Review Summaries

Based on 291 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 291 reviews.

Site 037Loved
Site 037 in Grinnell Peak Loop is frequently praised for its spaciousness and privacy.
Site 032Mentioned
Site 032 is noted for being large and close to wildlife.
Site 029Mentioned
Site 029, an accessible site, received mixed reviews for its location near restrooms.

What Campers Love

Many reviewers praised the spacious campsites, beautiful surroundings, and friendly hosts. Quotes include: "Spacious campsite, good vibes," and "The camp hosts are always friendly and helpful."

Based on 291 reviews

Common Concerns

Recurring complaints include vault toilet odors, lack of privacy between sites due to sparse underbrush, and pest issues (e.g., flies and moths). One user noted, "Those little flies that go up your...

Based on 291 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing bug repellent, earplugs for potential noise, and extra blankets due to temperature drops at night. A user commented, "Bring mosquito coils or more bug killer."

Based on 291 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews often mention pleasant weather but also bugs and occasional noise. Fall reviews highlight quieter experiences and scenic beauty. Winter closures are noted.

Based on 291 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Vault toilets are very smelly," "Great place to ride bikes," "Hosts were very polite," "Firewood was $8 a bundle, a bit steep for quick-burning cuts," "Beautiful mountain setting at about 7,000...

Based on 291 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible vault toilets and campsites received mixed reviews. One user said, "We booked 029 and didn't realize it was handicap accessible."

Based on 291 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and the campground is noted as dog-friendly. One user mentioned, "Great for dogs. We brought our GSD and saw plenty of other dogs."

Based on 291 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want roomy sites in a forested setting with trail access and don't mind vault toilets.

Skip if

You need full restroom facilities or have a large RV that struggles with tight roads.

Nearby Campgrounds

Heart Bar Equestrian is a small, horse-focused campground in San Bernardino National Forest operated by California Land Management. The facility offers corrals, shaded sites, and direct access to mountain riding trails including the Santa Ana River Trail. Open during summer months, it serves riders looking for maintained equestrian amenities at mid-elevation.