Idyllwild Campground - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

Nate H.

Nice area to camp at. I took my Tesla Model Y to camp in overnight and was glad to have spot 6 with electricity. I saw two other Model Y cars when I went too, so I guess I’m not as alone as I thought I was in doing this.

A few spots like spot 6 have electricity hookups and are decently spaced. Attached are pictures to show the connections and the size with my vehicle parked in it. The available connections are great for EV campers! You can bring your Level 1/2 chargers and charge your EV here without worry either while you stay the night or if you plan to go hiking nearby or walking through the town. The campground is seated in town, so this is perfect spot for this sort of planning.

I was glad to see that showers were available as were running water for drinking and washing.

I wasn’t really thrilled with the spacing of the sites. Site 5 was more isolated than 6 was with my spot at 6 being directly next to 7 where a truck and trailer camper were seated. It’s like sharing your driveway with someone else, almost. Just too close for my comfort where I planned to be alone.

I also was not expecting to not be able to set a fire. There didn’t seem to be any mention of this on the website or when making my reservation but I was told this when checking in. I’m also not sure why they banned fires at this time of year in winter where it was literally snowing. The chances of a wildfire occurring are very low, if at all.

The price for the spot was $45 which wasn’t terrible either.

There was a nice trail to walk around the campground with some nice scenery, even things left behind by Native Americans, which was cool to see.

All in all, it’s a decent place and I’d recommend, but would recommend checking in to see what’s available before making your reservation to ensure you’re getting what you want and also knowing where your spot will be depending on what you’d like for your getaway.

Taufiq H.

Really enjoyed my stay at this unique campsite minutes from the cute village center. I got to camp amongst pine trees with lots of shade everywhere. The campsite is noticeably cooler than the city, prob due to the trees.
The restrooms are sparking clean super well functioning with all hanging hooks intact and even a paper towel dispenser - the first time I’ve seen this in a state park restroom!
The shower requires their own tokens, which are different from other parks however, one token $1 gives you five minutes, which is well sufficient for a good shower. The Silver tokens from other state parks will not work here!
Now some caveats: it is noisy in the scamp side as there is a road that circles it so you can hear an occasional car at night. Some sites for example 18, 19, 24,25.. are close to each other so you might get to be next to a large family.
I had the fortune of getting site 20, where you park your car and then you hike up the hill to the campsite that overlooks a creek and a small second bridge. Unfortunately, I had to haul all my stuff up and down this hill taking about five trips each due to my midsize, lots of equipment and a dog. However, I had a great experience.
Also expect to encounter bugs, such as flies and gnats and a few mosquitoes so come prepared in the summer.
It’s a seven minute walk to the village center and some coffee shops as well as some really good restaurants. They have all sorts of events going on here in the summer. I haven’t got to meet the city mayor Max the dog who visited the campsites! It was a short drive to the brewpub, which I highly recommend visiting when you are in town.

Olga L.

Idyllwild Campground is a gem nestled amidst nature's beauty, offering a pristine and well-maintained haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The campground's cleanliness and attention to detail are evident throughout, from the immaculate bathrooms to the thoughtfully provided fire pits and lock boxes for added convenience and security. Each site boasts dedicated parking, ensuring easy access for campers. The serene surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for relaxation and outdoor adventures. With such excellent amenities and a tranquil atmosphere, it's no wonder I'll be eagerly returning to Idyllwild Campground for future escapes into nature.

Tiffany M.

Very nice campgrounds with some shade. There are lots of campsites with uneven terrain, which was a bit annoying because we would often be kind of sitting on a slope so that is something to be mindful of when choosing a site. Trash, water, and the bathroom and shower facilities were easily accessible

Kevin C.

As a beginner camper, my first experience at this campsite was truly remarkable. Despite arriving during a winter storm, we opted for campsite 4 with an electricity hookup, which worked well for car camping in Tesla. Even though we had to shovel our way into the site, the snowy scenery added to the surreal beauty of the location, especially considering it's only an hour and a half drive from LA.

The campground itself was great, with a surprising level of quietness even though it's near the main road, this could be due to the weather conditions, but regardless, campground had clean bathrooms, friendly staff, and a ranger who periodically drove around the campground which made us felt safe.

We definitely plan on returning during a warmer season to take advantage of the hiking trails and bask in the natural scenery once again.

Matt K.

Great campground in the middle of a super cute little mountain town! The campground borders residential and business property, so if you’re looking to get away from it all, this isn’t it. Turns out the town of Idyllwild is full of cute shops and delicious restaurants, and it’s gay friendly. Not far from wilderness hiking and camps, this campground makes a great home base for more adventures in the San Bernardino forest. We’ll definitely be back!

melanie T.

I came here over the summer and this place is amazing if you love to hike. So many trails to enjoy. I had the full hook-up site, ID01, and it was perfect for myself and dog. I have a few more reservations already lined up.

Christoph E.

Located very close to downtown Idyllwild, you can walk to shops and restaurants. Large sites with plenty of shade, good facilities, nice and clean, well maintained. Highly recommended for a pleasant camping experience near town. Only drawback is the noise from the road, this is not a remote backpacking camp site for those looking for solitude.