0
Pull-thru
USFSSan Bernardino National Forest · California
Fern Basin
Overview The picturesque Fern Basin Campground is a perfect escape from a busy lifestyle.
Sites2315 reservable
Elev.6,220ft
Comf.Apr-Nov8 months
Max rig20 ft
Electricnonesites
From San Diego2h15real road time
The honest read
Synthesized from
RIDB · Open-Meteo
OSM · OSRM
Updated 2026-05-27
RIDB · Open-Meteo
OSM · OSRM
Updated 2026-05-27
At 6,220 ft, Fern Basin has a 8-month comfortable window (Apr-Nov). Winter nights average around 32°F, so the shoulder seasons turn cold fast. 23 sites total: 15 reservable and 8 first-come, first-served. Within about 4 miles: 1 named hiking route, 14 peaks, lake or river access.
The campground at a glance
01 · CHARACTER
Reads strongest on reservability and cool nights. Softest on shade.
Six axes, each scored relative to every other federal campground in the region: quiet (miles to a major road), cool (elevation), roomy (average site spacing), shade, RV-fit (longest rig), and how reservable it is. All six come from data, nothing hand-tuned.
When to go
02 · CLIMATE
avg highavg lowfrost-freedriest · Jun
Apr-Nov
Comfortable window: nights stay above 35°F, days below 90°F.
92%
Of summer weekend-days are dry.
May 10
Last spring frost; first fall frost Nov 1.
61°F
Average July low. Bring a fleece.
Getting there
03 · ACCESS
01
San Diego
101 mi
2h15
02
Los Angeles
115 mi
2h33
03
Fresno
347 mi
7h43
04
San Francisco
547 mi
12h09
05
Sacramento
551 mi
12h15
By drive time
Routed road time (OSRM). Nearest major highway 5.6 mi away.
Picking your site
04 · 23 SITES
Color byShow only
21 mapped sites · dot color = seclusion · click a dot for details. Basemap © OpenStreetMap.
0
Walk-in
0
50-amp
0
Accessible
0
Prime
23
Sites
★ The standout
Site 004
FERN.
To neighbor
99 ft
Max rig
20 ft
Type
Standard
What's within four miles
05 · TRAILS · PEAKS · WATER
Trails & Peaks
Named hiking routes
1
Trail segments
290
Peaks
14
Viewpoints
2
Water & Access
Lake / river access
yes
To nearest major road
5.6 mi
Method
We synthesize public data layers: RIDB and Recreation.gov facility and site records, Open-Meteo climate normals, OpenStreetMap roads, trails, and water, OSRM drive times, and USGS elevation. We take no bookings, no ads, and no paid placements. Independence is the entire point.