Lake Gregory, located in Crestline in Southern California's San Bernardino Mountains, is a man-made, 120-acre recreational lake appreciated by swimmers for its calm waters. Visitors also enjoy boating, fishing, water slides, a fitness trail and workout stations. Rounding out Lake Gregory's appeal, three campgrounds are close to all the action and offer shelter for both tent and recreational vehicle campers, with several primitive campsites also dotted throughout the forest.
Switzerland in California
- Just across the road from the north shore of Lake Gregory is Camp Switzerland, a privately owned and operated campground suitable for tent or recreational vehicle camping. The camp can accommodate RVs up to 27 feet in length and motor homes as large as 30 feet long. Twelve spaces are equipped with full hookups of 30-amp electric service, water and sewer. Of the additional 26 campsites, four are for trailers, five have electricity and water only, and two sites feature spring-fed water. No open fires are allowed in the campground, and strict quiet hours are observed.
Gone to the Dogs
- The family-friendly Dogwood Campground is situated in a dense forest of cedar, oak, pine, fir and dogwood trees about a 15-minute drive from Lake Gregory. Ninety-three reservation-only campsites are available, mostly for tent campers. Some sites are equipped with electric hookups that accommodate recreational vehicles no longer than 22 feet. No off-road ATV or OHV vehicles are allowed in camp. Each campsite features fire rings, barbecues and picnic tables, with easy access to restrooms with flush toilets and showers. A camp host is on-site, along with firewood vendors. The use of fire rings and barbecues may be restricted during hot dry days when the danger of fire is high. Since bears frequent the area, proper storage of food and garbage is required.
An In-Tents Experience
- The North Shore campground is three miles from Lake Arrowhead village and about a 20-minute drive from Lake Gregory. Operated by California Land Management, the campground features 28 tent camping sites, six of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campsites offer picnic tables and fire rings, and restrooms with flush toilets and showers are nearby. Firewood is sold on-site and a camp host is present as well. As with all campsites in the Lake Gregory Recreational Park, the use of fire rings and charcoal barbecues may be restricted when the risk of fire is high.
Primitively Speaking
- For a more primitive camping experience, dispersed and Yellow Post campsites are dotted throughout the forest area surrounding Lake Gregory. Yellow Post sites are spread a considerable distance from each other but can be accessed from a paved road or trail. The sites feature tables and fire rings, but a valid California campfire permit may be required to use them. Keller Peak Yellow Post sites near Running Springs features nine first-come, first-served tent-only campsites. Additionally, the Bench Trail camp accommodates backpackers with two fire rings, and Holcomb Crossing Trail Camp has five. Camping outside developed campsites is also allowed in the San Bernardino National Forest, although permits may be necessary.
