Is Holcomb Valley Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Holcomb Valley Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Holcomb Valley Campground?

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

How many campsites does Holcomb Valley Campground have?

Holcomb Valley Campground has 19 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Holcomb Valley Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Holcomb Valley 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 Holcomb Valley Campground?

Holcomb Valley Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Holcomb Valley Campground

4.31

107 reviews

Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietStargazing

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

7,379 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

19 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

7,379 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

19 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Holcomb Valley Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Holcomb Valley Campground

34.3026, -116.8959

Nearby places

Big Bear Lake (~5 miles, ~20 minutes by vehicle)

Driving directionsDirections from Redlands: Take I-10 East to Redlands. Take the University Street exit, EXIT 80. Turn left (northbound) on University Street. Turn right onto E. Lugonia Avenue/SR-38. Continue on State Highway 38 into Big Bear City, to E. Big Bear Blvd. Turn left onto E. Big Bear Blvd./SR-38. Turn right onto Greenway Drive/CA-18/SR-38. Turn left onto North Shore Drive, SR-38. Continue on North Shore Drive/Hwy 38 until you reach the Van Dusen Canyon Road, Forest Service Road 3N09. Make a right hand turn on Van Dusen Canyon Road. Continue on the Forest Service Road 3N09 for approximately 4 miles. Make a left on Forest Service Road 3N16. Holcomb Valley Campground will be located on the right. Directions from San Bernardino: Take I-10 East to San Bernardino. Merge onto CA-210 W via Exit 77 toward CA-330/Highland. Merge onto CA-330 N via Exit 81 toward Mtn Resorts. CA-330 N becomes CA-18 in the town of Running Springs. Take CA-18 to Big Bear. At the Dam/Bridge, turn left onto CA-38 at the signal light towards Fawnskin. Continue on North Shore Drive/CA-38 through Fawnskin. Continue on North Shore Drive/Hwy 38 until you reach the Van Dusen Canyon Road, Forest Service Road 3N09. Make a left hand turn on Van Dusen Canyon Road. Continue on the Forest Service Road 3N09 for approximately 4 miles. Make a left on Forest Service Road 3N16. Holcomb Valley Campground will be located on the right. Winter Access: For winter access take Polique Canyon Road when Van Dusen Canyon Road is closed for winter. From Fawnskin, continue on North Shoe Drive/Hwy 38 to Polique Canyon Road. Make a left, Polique Canyon Road becomes Forest Service Road 2N09. Continue on 2N09 for approximately 4 miles. Make a right hand turn (east) on 3N16 for ¾ of a mile. Holcomb Valley Campground will be on your left hand side.

Weather at Holcomb Valley Campground

Best Time to Camp at Holcomb Valley Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliably accessible conditions and the best balance of warm daytime hiking and cool nights — expect daytime highs in the low 70s to mid-80s F and nights in the mid-40s to low 50s. Trails and dirt roads are usually dry and bikeable, wildflower remnants and green meadows persist at this elevation, and all campground services and nearby Big Bear attractions are fully available. Weekends can be busy with locals and lake visitors, so plan midweek stays for the quietest camping. Peak months: July, August, September, June

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring offers mild temps and remaining wildflower/meadow interest; fewer crowds than summer.

Planning Tips

About Holcomb Valley Campground

Holcomb Valley Campground sits at high elevation in San Bernardino National Forest, a short drive from Big Bear Lake. Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, this small campground offers spacious tent and RV sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Visitors come for quiet nights under dark skies, dog-friendly trails, and summer access to alpine meadows and dirt roads ideal for hiking and biking.

Holcomb Valley Campground is well-suited for tent and small RV camping. The sites are spacious, allowing multiple tents, and provide a rustic and natural experience.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliably accessible conditions and the best balance of warm daytime hiking and cool nights — expect daytime highs in the low 70s to mid-80s F and nights in the mid-40s to low 50s. Trails and dirt roads are usually dry and bikeable, wildflower remnants and green meadows persist at this elevation, and all campground services and nearby Big Bear attractions are fully available. Weekends can be busy with locals and lake visitors, so plan midweek stays for the quietest camping. Peak months: July, August, September, June

Elevation7379 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies high-altitude terrain where weathered granite peaks transition into gentle meadows. Pines dominate the forest cover, and the elevation provides clear night skies for stargazing. A network of dirt roads winds through the valley, connecting sites and trailheads. The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest extends in all directions, with Big Bear Lake visible to the south.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging is offered; accommodations are limited to camping sites.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum 14 days per stay.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each site accommodates up to 8 people.

Groups

No designated group camping sites are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable; reservations are not accepted.

Site SizeCampground reviews highlight spacious sites that can accommodate multiple tents. One review mentions easily fitting 4-5 large tents in a single site.

PrivacySites are described as dispersed and well-marked, providing good separation and privacy between campers.

Total Campsites19 campsites

Recommended SitesSeek sites away from vault toilets to avoid odors carried by the wind. Meadow sites are often considered prime for views and open space.

Best CampsitesSites near the meadows get mentioned in reviews for their views and extra space. Several campers report fitting four to five large tents in a single site without crowding.

Amenities available

Amenities include a picnic table, 1 fire ring, bear boxes and vault toilets. There is no water available.

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors enjoy a variety of activities at Holcomb Valley Campground, including hiking, off-roading, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. The remote location allows for quiet and peaceful experiences away from crowds, and the lack of light pollution makes it an excellent spot for astronomy enthusiasts.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available. Vault toilets are the only restroom option.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof storage lockers are provided at each site to safeguard food and other items.

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.

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

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

107 reviews

Satisfactory

Holcomb Valley Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, visitors rate Holcomb Valley Campground highly for its peaceful atmosphere, spacious sites, and natural beauty. Many appreciate the presence of a helpful campground host and the cleanliness of the facilities. A few complaints focus on the unpaved access roads and occasional issues with host communication.

Review Summaries

Based on 107 reviews

What Campers Love

Spacious campsites, clean vault toilets, friendly and helpful hosts, peaceful and quiet atmosphere, stargazing opportunities, dog-friendly, and proximity to hiking trails.

Based on 107 reviews

Common Concerns

No drinking water, challenging unpaved roads, occasional issues with host availability, and strict enforcement of first-come, first-serve site assignments.

Based on 107 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #7 is noted for being roomy and level with plenty of sunshine. Sites closer to the meadows are highly recommended for their scenic views.

Based on 107 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own water and firewood if possible. High-clearance or 4x4 vehicles are recommended for easier access. Arrive early to secure a site, especially on weekends. Avoid camping near the vault...

Based on 107 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter camping is quieter and more isolated, but road conditions can be difficult. Summer weekends are busy, and sites fill up quickly. Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures and fewer crowds.

Based on 107 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Most amazing drive up the hill." - Timothy Thompson; "Great campground with large camp spots. Each space comes with one dedicated parking spot." - Amy Beall; "Awesome for winter camping." - Garen...

Based on 107 reviews

Accessibility Features

No explicit accessibility features are mentioned. The unpaved and narrow roads may make it challenging for visitors with mobility restrictions.

Based on 107 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The campground is very dog-friendly. Visitors frequently mention bringing their pets and enjoying the accommodating environment.

Based on 107 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want quiet, dog-friendly high-elevation camping with big sites and don't mind vault toilets or rough access roads.

Skip if

You're driving a sedan or need a campground host always on-site and paved access.

Nearby Campgrounds

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(13)

Tanglewood Group Camp

SAN BERNARDINO, SAN BERNADINO, CA, USA

Tanglewood Group Camp sits in the high-elevation alpine zone of San Bernardino National Forest near Fawnskin, managed by California Land Management Services. This group-only campground offers a spacious, secluded setting with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, ideal for gatherings that want proximity to Big Bear Lake's boating and fishing without developed amenities. Reviewers praise the roomy layout and evening campfire atmosphere, though the site lacks drinking water and occasional dirt bike traffic can stir up dust.