The Inland Empire city of San Bernardino sits in the shadow of the San Bernardino National Forest. Though California State Park RV campgrounds are scarce in the area, you'll find additional opportunities in the national forest and in one of the county’s prime regional parks. Drive south to neighboring Riverside County for an RV campground at a state park that hosts speedboat races. Camp among the trees and get a ringside seat to watch some of the fastest watercraft around.
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
- Park your RV in the Silverwood Lake Recreation Area at Mesa Campground. The year-round campground on Route 138 near the southwest corner of the lake is a 30-mile drive from downtown San Bernardino. RVs up to 30 feet and trailers up to 24 feet are welcome. Sites with full and partial hookups are available. Leashed pets are welcome, but they must be kept in the RV at night and kept away from the swim beaches. The Miller Canyon Trail leads down to the lake and then skirts the shoreline, where you can hike, bike or jog. The campground has a nature center, restrooms, showers and an RV dump station. Reservations are available via the Reserve America online system.
San Gorgonio Camping–San Bernardino National Forest
- San Gorgonio Campground is in the San Bernardino National Forest and is open from mid-May through the end of September. Located roughly 36 miles northeast of downtown San Bernardino, this campground is in a forest setting with sites shaded by pines and oak trees. The Santa Ana River Trail and the Rio Monte Trail are both accessed by the campground and are suitable for hiking and biking. Most sites can handle rigs up to 35 feet, and a few accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. Campsites have no hookups, but drinking water, showers and flush toilets are available. Dogs are welcome but they must be leashed. Bears frequent the campground, so keep your pets inside at night.
Yucaipa Regional Park–San Bernardino County Regional Park
- Yucaipa Regional Park is part of the San Bernardino County Regional Park system and easy to get to via Interstate 10. It’s only 19 miles east of downtown San Bernardino. All 42 campsites have hookups, and you can elect to camp without them for a less expensive rate. The campground lies east of two of the park's lakes, where you can swim, boat and fish. The campground is open year-round; the swimming lagoon and pedal boat rentals are only available during the summer season. Other recreational activities include disc golf, mini-golf, a playground, horseshoe pits and hiking trails. Leashed pets are welcome with payment of a nightly fee.
Lake Perris State Recreation Area, a Boater’s Dream
- The Lake Perris State Recreation Area, in the town of Perris, lies 26 miles southeast of San Bernardino. Lake Perris is a popular venue for ski-boat racing and the campground usually sells out during these events. Advanced reservations are available through Reserve America and are advised during the warm seasons. The campground is open year-round with reduced rates from December through February. Campsites can handle RVs up to 31 feet long, and there's ample parking for boat trailers in adjacent lots. Choose from sites with no hookups or with water, electric and a gray-water drain. A dump station is on site too. Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome in the campground and in picnic areas but not on the beaches.
