Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites

4.08

14 reviews

Santa Rosa Mountain, San Bernardino National Forest

Quick Facts

7,300 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

7,300 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument site

Official Website

Get Directions

Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There are no fees for camping at the Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites. "All sites are first-come, first-served."

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS

Provider

760-862-9984

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What Campers Say

4.08

Satisfactory

Based on 14 reviews

11 Google reviews

Most mentioned

views

"User reviews highlight the campground's remoteness and scenic beauty as its primary appeals. Some users enjoy its peaceful atmosphere, while others criticize issues with road conditions and littering."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Santa Rosa Mountain, San Bernardino National Forest

Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites

Santa Rosa Mountain, San Bernardino National Forest

Driving directionsThe Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites are accessed via Forest Road 7S02, also known as the Santa Rosa Truck Trail. This road is unpaved and may not be suitable for all vehicles. Four-wheel drive and high clearance vehicles are recommended as the road is in rough condition. It is advised to check road conditions by contacting the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center at 760-862-9984 or the Idyllwild Ranger Station at 909-382-2921 before traveling.

The road to Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites is unpaved and in rough condition, requiring high-clearance vehicles. It may become slippery during rain. Four-wheel drive is recommended for safe travel.

Nearby places

Palm Desert (approximately 15-20 miles), Anza Borrego Desert State Park (close proximity noted by user reviews).

Nearby supplies

No official facilities or supply points are located on-site. The closest city for groceries, fuel, and other supplies is Palm Desert, approximately 15-20 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites

Santa Rosa Mountain's elevated perches promise dramatic seasonal transformations that reward visitors year-round. Winter transforms these heights into a crystalline wonderland where snow may dust the pines and temperatures demand cozy sleeping bags and crackling campfires. As summer arrives, warm days invite lazy afternoons beneath the forest canopy, though mountain breezes remind you of your lofty position. Throughout the year, be prepared for nature's moods—sudden winds can sweep across the ridges, and mountain storms may roll through with little warning, adding excitement to your high-altitude adventure.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

High elevation offers cooler summer conditions and great vistas; access issues noted.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Seasonal transformations reward visitors; scenic fall views implied but not detailed.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Year-round rewards noted; spring likely pleasant though specifics (wildflowers) aren't detailed.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Winter can be scenic with snow, but road closures and access issues reduce reliability.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: The campground is open year-round, subject to road conditions.
Current Alerts: Campfires and briquettes are currently prohibited. Only propane stoves with on/off switches are permitted.

About Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites

High above the desert floor, where eagles soar and the air grows thin, fourteen pristine Yellow Post Sites await those seeking true wilderness solitude on Santa Rosa Mountain. These remote sanctuaries offer adventurers the essentials—a sturdy picnic table and fire ring at each location—while leaving the rest to nature's grand design. Without the usual campground conveniences of running water or trash collection, these sites invite you to embrace a more self-sufficient camping experience. Remember to bring all necessary supplies and honor the wilderness ethic: everything you carry in must journey back out with you, preserving these untouched ridgeline retreats for future explorers.

Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites provide a primitive camping experience with minimal facilities. It is designed for tent and car camping and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Weather and SeasonsSanta Rosa Mountain's elevated perches promise dramatic seasonal transformations that reward visitors year-round. Winter transforms these heights into a crystalline wonderland where snow may dust the pines and temperatures demand cozy sleeping bags and crackling campfires. As summer arrives, warm days invite lazy afternoons beneath the forest canopy, though mountain breezes remind you of your lofty position. Throughout the year, be prepared for nature's moods—sudden winds can sweep across the ridges, and mountain storms may roll through with little warning, adding excitement to your high-altitude adventure.

ElevationPerched between 7,300 and 8,000 feet where the air feels noticeably thinner and the stars shine brilliantly clear, these mountain camps place you firmly in the realm of high-elevation forests. At these heights, you'll find yourself above much of Southern California's haze and heat, breathing the pure mountain air that has drawn seekers of solitude to these ridges for generations.

Natural Features and SceneryFrom your ridgetop vantage point, the world unfolds in panoramic splendor—forested slopes give way to distant peaks while mountain vistas stretch to the horizon. Towering pines and firs create natural cathedral spaces around each campsite, their branches whispering ancient stories in the mountain breeze. For those lucky enough to claim sites 3 or 4, the nearby Santa Rosa Spring offers a rare mountain oasis where clear water emerges from the earth, attracting wildlife and adding the gentle music of flowing water to your wilderness soundtrack.

Geological RegionThese campsites rest within the magnificent tapestry of the San Bernardino National Forest, specifically in the protected splendor of the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. This geological wonderland represents millions of years of tectonic forces that thrust these peaks skyward, creating the remote ridgelines and isolated valleys that make this region a haven for those seeking to disconnect from civilization and reconnect with the raw beauty of Southern California's sky islands.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

9:00 PM

Check-out

7:00 AM

Stay Limit

Camping is allowed for no more than 14 days in any 30-day period, per Forest Order NO. 05-12-00-23-05.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 persons per site.

Groups

Group camping facilities are not mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come, first-served. No reservation is required.

AccessibilityAccessibility information is not provided, but the campground's remote location and rugged roads may limit access.

Site SizeThe campground accommodates standard-sized camping setups, suitable for tents and small vehicles.

PrivacySites are described as isolated and scenic, providing a sense of seclusion from other campers.

Total Campsites14 campsites

Recommended SitesBring high-clearance or 4x4 vehicles for access, and consider sites 3 & 4 for their water availability.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites offer opportunities for camping and enjoying scenic views. Reviews emphasize the peaceful atmosphere and stunning vistas.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"The unpaved access road (7S02) is in rough condition and may not be suitable for all vehicles. Slippery conditions during rain can add to the challenge." Wildfire risks are managed with a total ban on campfires and briquettes.

Active AlertsCampfires and briquettes are currently prohibited. Only propane stoves with on/off switches are permitted.

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

Fire PolicyCampfires and briquettes are prohibited. Only propane or similar stoves with on/off switches are permitted.

Emergency ServicesThe nearest emergency services are likely located in Palm Desert, which is 15-20 miles away. Contact numbers for visitor assistance include Santa Rosa Visitor Center at 760-862-9984 and Idyllwild Ranger Station at 909-382-2921.

Trash & RecyclingTrash services are not provided. Campers must follow a strict pack-in, pack-out policy.

Water FeaturesSanta Rosa Spring is a notable water feature near sites 3 & 4.

Weather at Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites

Reviews

4.1

14 reviews

Satisfactory

Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's remoteness and scenic beauty as its primary appeals. Some users enjoy its peaceful atmosphere, while others criticize issues with road conditions and littering.

Review Summaries

Based on 14 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews emphasize the seclusion, 'awesome views,' and convenience for quick getaways. Campers also appreciate the site's proximity to Anza Borrego desert park.

Based on 14 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback includes complaints about 'heavily damaged' roads, undercarriage damage to vehicles, and sites being 'full of trash and human waste.' Another user expressed frustration with the...

Based on 14 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring a high-clearance vehicle or four-wheel drive to navigate the rough roads. Ensure to pack out all trash and avoid parking on vegetation. Check fire restrictions before arrival, and carry a...

Based on 14 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Weekdays tend to be quieter, as one reviewer noted, 'Cool place, pretty quiet during the week.' Seasonal trends for weather and accessibility are not detailed in the reviews.

Based on 14 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Great spot to explore or camp for free. Just please pack out your trash and stay on the trails.' 2. 'Awesome views make you feel farther into the mountains than you actually are.' 3. 'Road is...

Based on 14 reviews