You can pay using a QR code if you do not have cash. Which I did not. I pulled into a parking structure and sat in my car for a minute trying to control my nose bleed , a golf cart came up quick outta no where and parked right next to me. He wanted to make sure I knew there was a 6 dollar fee even if you are here for the day. I told him I knew and I already paid. He said thank you and took off. He Didn't ask to see my receipt and was not rude. Maybe he just felt bad for me and my bloody face. There's a section for day use on the left and the camping area is on the right I get a little scared hiking alone, so it was nice to have a perimeter trail alongside this park Nothing strenuous at all it was nice just to get some fresh air. I would come back read more

Very nice place! Loved camping here. Good tent/rv spots and very well kept! Bathrooms are clean and staff is friendly.

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. read more

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Well, well, well. I left the AZ heat to cool down at Idyllwild. The park has a lot of hiking areas to offer. Sites #10-13 and #84-96 are flat. The odd number of camp sites are on a slope. There are showers available in restrooms 1 and 2. Bring quarters to shower. Pets are welcome. The downside about camping is the bathrooms are not clean as often. The plus side is it gets cold at night and seeing stars. Furthermore, the town of Idyllwild is a walk and a quick drive away. More info about Idyllwild Regional Park: https://www.rivcoparks.org/_files/ugd/3be3ea_b2028492431a4a2f8f1b393d7129c04d.pdf read more

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Love this park! It is really a tent campground. No hookups and no really level sites. But, if you are looking for a beautiful and serene area with real bathrooms not far away, this is the place. We camped here midweek, which it is mostly empty. Apparently, weekends can be full during peak season. Love the pines here. Very dog friendly with nice trails. It is $30 a night. Great camp spot for hikers. Not far from town. Water spickets are available between many sites. Can be dusty, so bring a small broom for tent. Beautiful place. read more

I am not sure why this older dude is always bothering people !!! If you trying to book a camp site while you in the parking lot he will make your life miserable!!! He kicked me out like I was stealing dirt or air lol This is not the way , employees should treat guests :( read more

Idyllwild Park - Crazy dude - Hiking Near Me - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

Nice and beautiful park with a good amount of trails. Nature center was closed due to renovation but the outside had plenty of things to explore. Hike the trail from the meadow to the nature center which was moderate and not too aggressive Entrance fee is 6.00 per adult and 2.00 per dog. Not too bad and plenty of places to enjoy a picnic and more Camping is available and from what I saw it was pretty popular. Could also be the weather and time of year Good place to explore and plenty of places for good pictures read more

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Camped at Idyllwild Park for the first time and really enjoyed it. The staff at the park are very friendly and seem to really care for the park and enjoy helping the campers. It is a vey beautiful park. Keep in mind the majority of the campsites are very, very rustic. There will be dust in your tent. I was aware that the park is busy on weekends. So we stayed after the weekend from Sunday to Tuesday and missed the crowds. So why three stars ? The campsites are rustic and not level, which makes sleeping a challenge, otherwise it would be four stars. read more

I would highly recommend this place for camping. I haven't been camping in about eight years but this was a good spot. I will definitely come back with kids or a group of people. I had campsite number 14 and it was very spacious with a water pump that other people can use as well. It's also in a good location that's not too far away from the bathrooms, trash, and the coin-operated showers. These campsites are pretty spacious and can fit two cars and at least two tents. It also includes its own picnic bench as well. These sites are pretty clean and very social. I went here this past holiday weekend for Fourth of July. It was very hot during the day and actually kind of chilly at night. Don't forget to bring extra cushion for the hard ground and extra blankets! I am seven months pregnant and the hike to the nature center was good enough for me. Even better, I actually enjoyed the strolling trail through the gorgeous meadow which was well shaded with trees by the creek. I would definitely come back and explore more of the downtown area which is about a mile away. It's a really cute hippie area of little shops including ice cream and souvenirs. I would go back for the wine tasting places and the restaurants! read more

Idyllwild Park - The meadow/creek stroll - Hiking Near Me - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

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LOVED camping here. There's trails stemming from the campground, and you can even get to the nature center which is a short distance away. We had easy access to water and bathrooms, and even though fires weren't allowed since it's peak fire season, we had a great time. Check in was VERY easy, and the staff did a great job of checking us in and keeping the grounds clean. Can't wait to come back! read more

We came up to Idlewild regional Park to camp last weekend, and arrived the day early due to a little change of schedule. Dion the campsite Ranger was so helpful trying to help us find a spot, when she couldn't find a spot here she directed us to their local alternative site at McCall where we were able to stay the night. And then she arranged to swap a night for our stay there without any hassles. Everybody at both parks was super friendly and helpful. Bathrooms are clean and everything functions well. This is a great place to stay! read more

Great place to camp. Can't wait to come back. There's a small creek and trails. Relaxing in the mountains. read more

Idyllwild Park - Camping - Hiking Near Me - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

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Pros: nice grounds, good big sites, flushing toilets that were well maintained, close to hiking trails and town of Idyllwild. Cons: noisy campers and campers who Cut thru campsites, lack of level ground for tent at most tent sites, and also, noise (parties, music, harleys) at all hours. read more

I camped here the end of November and had a very pleasant experience. Fire restrictions were in place so we were sure to bring a propane grill and heater to stay warm. There were bathrooms and even showers in the park that were great after a day of hiking. Definitely coming back soon. read more

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The nice male attendant allowed us to use the bathroom without asking for the entrance fee of $6.00 each as soon as we arrived from a long drive. I was with my wife and 2 grandchildren. As soon as we were done using the bath-room, a RUDE and ARROGANT female attendant began asking THE ENTRANCE FEE. I refused to pay because we were allowed by the NICE male attendant to use the bathroom without having to pay.She insinuated if we want FREE go to this area where all is FREE. I just thought that this behaviour is an insult and a deterrent to TOURISTS.This happened jan 6, 2024 Saturday around noon time. ERNIE read more

I love hiking this campground. We live a mile away and bought two annual pass for $44 each. This is a riverside country park, which is different from the adventure pass. They charge on a per person basis and have a separate fee for camping. We got a little confused at how the trails connect to the nature center but we know that they do connect. It's a very rocky hike and there are a lot of rock climbers here. Lots of flies so bring your bug spray. Not too many campers today; I believe there were only 3 RV's and not campers today. read more

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Fantastic campground! Extremely well kept, plenty of space in between each site to provide privacy. Well shaded sites. Bathrooms were cleaner than expected when we checked in on a Friday afternoon. With the amount of people there for the holiday weekend the bathrooms were like a bomb went off by Saturday morning and weren't cleaned or restocked until late afternoon. Not terrible, but would have been nice to soap and paper towels earlier in the day. (I know it's camping, don't judge me) Paul at the guard stand was extremely helpful and so nice! Pros: Running water- cold in the sink but hot in the shower $.50 hot shower- says it's for 3 min but was more like 8 so that was awesome Trash bins close to sites Hiking trail right in the camp Easy to park in each site right next to your tent Picnic table at each site Fire pit with an adjustable grill top Tall mature trees for shade and close enough together for a hammock Cons: The grill top on the fire wasn't removable or able to lift high enough to add to the fire Quiet time rules not enforced- kids playing and screaming till well after midnight. All in all, one of our favorite new spots. Beautiful grounds and friendly people!! read more

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I really liked this campground. So pretty and well kept. I went while it was very slow. So I was one of the few people there. The campsites are pretty close together but it depends on what you're looking for. This was my first camping trip solo so it helped me feel safe the way it was set up. Not super deep in the woods. Cell service and a close small town in walking distance. Bathrooms very clean. Includes showers. Campground hosts were very nice and so welcoming. Town close by if you run out of essentials. Hiking right in the campsite. Probably an hour up to the summit. Beautiful drive there. Definitely recommend. Especially for newer campers. Loved that there weren't tons of mosquitoes. 30 dollars a night they take credit cards. :) read more

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Awesome campsite that loops around. There are a few hiking trails that branch directly from the property. The village is out and to the left about 2 blocks. A very pretty campground with lots of trees, park benches, running water toilets, enclosed showers, and shade. read more

Idyllwild Park - Sunrise - Hiking Near Me - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

What a gem of a place! Yes, there is camping, but I didn't go for the camping--went to enjoy nature and a wander around. (Mini hiking). I knew it was going to rain the day I was here, so I just did a the Hillside Trail. I'd like to go back and do the Perimeter Trail, as well as visit the Nature Center. (I'm a silly billy and forgot my Adventure Pass in our other car!) There are great views of the other nearby mountains, and you really feel immersed in nature here.. when in reality, you're pretty close to civilization. (I walked here from our hotel--the Idyllwild Bunkhouse). This park is kind of hidden at the end of a residential area, so it's kind of nice in that regard.. not overly obvious, and I think you'd only go there for a purpose / if you knew you were going there. I'd also like to come back and camp sometime! 2018: 17/100 read more

"When we are lost in the woods, the sight of a signpost is a great matter." --C.S. Lewis "May the odds be ever in your favour." --Effie Trinket, Hunger Games Idyllwild County Park is gorgeous. GORGEOUS!! The views are spectacular! The plentiful Manzanita trees are exquisite! The flora and fauna - totally unique. The visitor center is educational and informative. The trail signage - woefully inadequate. Let me tell you a story about how a 3 mile hike turned into a 6+ mile hike: We parked our car at the trail-head by the park entrance to the 243 Hwy. There, we were to take Perimeter Trail up and back. It was supposed to be a nice, relaxing hike. But, we never do things the easy way, and thanks to a lack of trail signage, we found ourselves incredibly lost after about a mile. How lost? We crossed the dry Strawberry Creek bed and ended up in the Royal Pines Estates Mobile Home Park, in someone's backyard, probably trespassing. How far away is that? Add at least another mile. After getting pointed back in the right direction from some nice folks at the trailer park, we finally found the trail again - except now we were at the supreme OTHER end of the park. Fantastic. We were faced with three route options: Back on Perimeter trail, Hillside trail, and Summit trail. Those that know me, know that I have two weaknesses: 1. Ice Cream, and 2. A great hiking trail. After some deliberation with the hubs he talked me out of the Summit trail and on to the Hillside trail. In the end, it might as well have been the Summit trail because we came so damn close to the peak anyway, and it sure did make us winded. I should have listened to him and just taken Perimeter back. (Hear that Hun? I said you were right. Take note as it may never happen again.) We got lost on the Hillside transition trails too! Never once did we find signage for the Yellow trail. On the way back from the Nature Center to the car, we could not find the trail in many locations - and to repeat my hubs eloquent description - "we had to Koolaid Man our way down the hill" just using the GPS on my phone. Long story short. We found the car. We hiked MUCH more than we thought we would. Thank God for GPS. We got great pictures. Pack lots of water and food - just in case. Don't hike alone here. Start from the Nature Center, not the 243 trail-head. Bring a backup battery for your cell phone. And a flashlight. Have a great hike! read more

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I found this park for camping when other RV parks were closed due to Covid. The park is clean and well maintained. The RV spots are spacious and have tables and fire rings. No hook ups!! But worth it. Water is available for fill up. The park has a couple great trail heads. One down side is, if you are camped near the back gate, the public walks THROUGH your campsite. Lots of people day and night. We learned to create a boundary with our items to steer people around. It would be super if the rangers could somehow steer people around the 2 back campsites. Minor inconvenience to. read more

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We went hiking here on a Saturday late morning! Ranger at gate was very nice - provided a trail Map. You have quite a few options On trails - But the map Isn't the best! read more

AWESOME place to go for a nice little hike..especially during the winter time! We were trying to find the perfect spot to take our Husky (Boss) to see snow for the first time. And of course to just go run around. We went in the afternoon and in the morning the next day, and it wasn't crowded at all. We had the whole trail to ourselves for the most part. We were able to let him off leash and wander around. Beautiful side of nature to see..just pure perfection! read more

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So far this place is horrible. It's 10:45pm, our first night here, 45 minutes after "quiet time" and it sounds like I'm in a bar. I think I actually hear someone chopping a tree down. I haven't seen any security/ golf cart or anything since I've been here. If you're looking for a quiet escape to the mountains this is not it. If you want to be loud as hell in the middle of nature then come on up! The people across from us have snoop dog bumpin while their baby is crying...cool bro. Also, the camping spots are super small, we made it work but we're probably never coming back after we see the type of crowd this place brings. read more

The family wanted to go camping over Memorial day weekend and I was only able to get one night at this wonderful campground. I ended up reserving campsite 5, which I don't recommend if you do mind going up a steep hill with camping gear back and forth from your car. Please note the following is based on my observation and opinion. I was able to observe that campsites 3, 4, 5, and 6 were good size campsites that can easily fit two large tents. The campsites were also the closest to the trail to the nature center, the restrooms and the creek for kids to explore. Campsites 4 and 6 had the least amount of going up a steep hill from your car. Campsite 2 was at level to the car but the smallest campsite in my opinion. The firepit was too close to the picnic table. I really enjoyed that they had activities for the kids with a storytelling at 7pm and things to do at the nature center. I also enjoyed how clean the bathrooms were but I recommend for you to bring your own toilet paper. They keep it locked and it's very thin, not manageable. After we packed up, we decided to drive through the whole campground. We noticed how few bathrooms there were. Campsites 53 and 55 had boulders nearby, that seemed cool for the kids to explore. Campsites 34, 35, 43, and 27 seemed cool and close by to the showers/bathrooms, but far from the hike trail to the nature center. I will definitely be back. I really enjoyed how close of a drive from LA it was and it felt as we were in another state. The town was very nice to explore on the way out, people were friendly. Tip: bring lots of bug repellent. read more

There was plenty of parking and multiple bathrooms. We enjoyed hiking and seeing the waterfall. There are many huge bolders and tall pine trees. It was close to town, yet it felt like you were in the wilderness. read more

Awesome spot to go camping. It is an easy drive up from LA and feels like you are thousands of miles away from the city. There were tons of great hiking trails in the area of all levels/distances. Idyllwild County Park made everything really easy for us. We reserved our site online for $20/night + $7 fee. It was a holiday weekend so they ended up opening up the whole park, usually this time of year they only have the front part open. We had site 47 and it was super great. We easily fit 2 cars, 6 people and 3 tents. The tent spots were nice and flat. Some of the campsites are closer to each other, but ours had quite a bit of space between us and the next group. The fire pit included a grill top which came in super handy for our campfire meals. We bought wood before we headed up the mountain and then again in town for the second night. They do ask that all firewood is purchased in county so be mindful of that. Bathrooms were centrally located and pretty clean. They did run out of hand soap, so I'd recommend bringing some of your own just in case. Water spickets were plentiful throughout the campground. read more

Idyllwild Park - Hiking trails - Hiking Near Me - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

There aren't many things in this country I dislike doing more than camping. So when the friend who I was staying with in San Diego told me that she had already agreed to an overnight camping retreat on the weekend in the middle of my stay I was pretty clearly unenthused. She was giving me a bed for two weeks though in my favorite city in the U.S., so my margin for complaints was pretty thin. I sucked it up, went along for the ride to Idyllwild, and actually found it a very nice, quiet, and scenic place to get away not far from the city...in spite of all the disastrously annoying things that happened on the trip. The last time Elle and I went camping it was with Michelle and Alex, and the only animal around was the debatable canine Meeko (note: this does not mean I argued with him, rather I'm not sure he's not some type of rodent). This had little impact on me, other than Michelle periodically shouting when he would stray off. This time however Elle had to bring her two dogs, Miso and Droopy, along because she couldn't find a sitter. I'm allergic to dogs, and they're very old and quite smelly, so you can imagine how unenjoyable the otherwise serene 2+ hour drive up north into the woods was. By the time we arrived, me in desperate need of air, having skipped lunch because we were told there would be food waiting for us, it was quite late into the day and suffice to say I was quite grumpy. There was technically food at the campsite, however what we could find was not really appealing and someone had hidden the bread we would be using in order to make sandwiches. My frustration level increased more and more with each passing moment, and we had to pass on the big hike the group took because we literally had not eaten since the time we woke up and were getting a bit delirious. Eventually the mongoloid who sabotaged the sandwich operation returned and we were able to have some crappy filler food that in most other situations would be reserved for the aforementioned dogs. Once I had some energy I got the fun experience of setting up my little clown tent. I don't use that term jokingly either, I'm fairly certain this was a child's tent designed to look like a circus. Since sleeping in a tent with Elle's two dogs just wasn't going to happen I had to resort to the back-up options, this little laugh of a living structure. I cannot properly put into words just how uncomfortable I was in this tent, or the amount of swearing that went on under my breath, but I don't recall any other time in my life where I have been less pleased with my sleeping situation. None of this was made any better by the folks I shared the campsite with, not that they were themselves bad people, but they were just having significantly more fun than I was. I wasn't drinking at all because I had a massive headache and I knew I was already in for a hellish night, so their level of misbehavior just annoyed me more. Even worse it annoyed the campgrounds manager more, who was nice enough to warn them multiple times (yet surprisingly they never realized that when you WHISPER LIKE THIS it's still incredibly audible). One of the few drawbacks of this campground is that there is no soap in any of the bathrooms, a bit of a dilemma for an OCD freak like myself, but thankfully we had plenty of dish detergent (?) to substitute. Other than that the grounds are very spacious with plenty of separation between each area, and the views of the stars are truly magnificent. There are some pretty great rocks if you like to go climbing or repelling and although many signs warn you of bears or mountain lions we didn't spot any unusual wildlife. read more

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Really nice campground, and dogs are allowed! A perfect LA getaway. We reserved online ($27) picked site #96, which was a large area with a shady tree. It was just down the hill from a bathroom so it wasn't too noisy. It also only neighbored one other site, so there was some privacy. We didn't explore any of the park trails but ended up taking the Deer Spring Trail to Suicide Rock which was really nice. We started from town and walked up Hwy 243 so roundtrip it was probably 8 miles. read more

Idyllwild Park - Site 96 - Hiking Near Me - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

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Dear Idyllwild tourism board, If you are hiring, call me. I have been raving about your little mountain town for days now. A stay at the Idyllwild County Park paired with some hiking and climbing of suicide rock, has made me your biggest fan. Idyllwild County Park is the perfect spot for a relaxing and rejuvenating escape from San Diego. Don't get me wrong, San Diego is not the type of city you need to "escape" from (LA is a different story), but if you want a change of scenery the pine trees, campsites next to a creek, and the fact that there are bathrooms as well as warm showers so you can sit under a mind-blowing amount of stars without really roughing it, makes this the perfect spot to do so. Campsites are only $20 which is well worth it to experience the wonder of these woods. My only advice is to be mindful of the site you choose. Some lack flat space which can make sharing a tent with someone you don't know well, a little awkward. read more

Idyllwild Park - Hiking Near Me - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

Camped here overnight... And then a full day of Boldering! Tons of Bolders !! Camp site cost us $20 for the night.. Remember NO GATHERING WOOD ! Check out time is 1 pm $5 bundles of wood sold at the front gate.. Camp Site 56 has a GIANT BOLDER 5 feet from the fire pit :) AWESOM PLACE read more

Idyllwild Park - Great Boldering all around the camp sites - Hiking Near Me - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

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I brought my family here for the first time. I loved it. Clean convenient campsite. Catherine at the front desk was always kind and helpful. We love the hiking trails. I have two young boys and the trails were perfect for them. We will return soon read more

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Well maintained, nice care takers - a "must" if you're visiting Idyllwild! Easy to moderate trails make it accessible for most - bring the kids and the dogs for a nice day of exercise, outdoors and sightseeing. Time sensitive statement: fires currently not permitted due forest fire risk read more

Just camped here this weekend and I will definitely be coming back. The staff was very friendly, and the campground was well maintained. We normally take the 243 to get to Idyllwild, but due to the road closures, we took a slightly longer route using the 74. Thanks again to the staff who were very warm and welcoming, can't wait to camp here again! read more

Idyllwild Park - Hiking Near Me - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

Idyllwild County Park is a pretty nice place to go camping, all things considered. I liked the fact that they have coin showers and that campfires are allowed. Tip: Some of the campsites have plenty of shade, which is really a plus here in the summer time. There's a lot of room for improvement though, which is why I'm giving this place three stars. The biggest fly in the ointment for me is that fact that a number of the sites are very small, and all the sites are a bit too close together for my taste; you won't have a lot of privacy when there are other parties camping. read more

Clean and well built. Lots to do and climb on. Only down side is the wood chips...I hate the wood chips. But other than that, this is awesome for kids and lots of sitting room for parents. read more

Overall, experience was good and would return. We stayed the Sun-Wed before Labor Day weekend. It was very slow, maybe only 10% of sites occupied. SITE We stayed at #41. This site has plenty of shade and uphill from some other sites. If all sites are full, it won't be very private. I found the sites closer to the creek, on the other side of road is more private, ie. 43-44. One thing I didn't like about this site is that it's very slanted. So sleeping can be bothersome. And the table is very slanted. So much so, was dangerous to use our portable charcoal grill and propane stove on it. The benches were the wire kind with holes so the legs of our stove would fall into the holes. HIKING I think the hiking trails is one of the best features. Very family friendly. Did the below with my 10-year old son. NATURE CENTER TRAIL is about 2 hrs roundtrip. It leads eventually to the Nature Center which is located in the middle of the woods. If you come from the north side, I think there may be a road. But if you come from the south (which is the side of Idyllwild) you'll be traversing the woods and it will seem you're in the middle of nowhere. The Nature Center has very limited hours, so if you're interested in actually visiting the Center, check their hours. We had spent couple hours hiking before starting the Nature Center Trail, so seemed like a very long day of hiking. But from the start, roundtrip will be about 2 hrs. HILLSIDE TRAIL. From start to finish one-way was only about 30mins. Very short and quite easy. At the end of this trail is SUMMIT TRAIL. SUMMIT TRAIL is very rocky and steep. Took us about 1 hr to get down it. At the end of Summit Trail is Hillside Trail. Summit and Hillside make a loop. Hillside is about 0.6 miles and Summit is about 1.0 miles. We took Hillside and went down Summit and took less than 2hrs. Next time for a bigger challenge we will go up Summit and come down Hillside. COST. For camping, quite expensive. I believe we paid about $25/night. AMENITIES. Bathrooms are very clean, considering it's a campsite. I've seen far worse. Showers are 2 quarters. Water will start after the first quarter. One of the quarters will be a minute while the other will be a few minutes. Can't tell which will be longer, depends on how many quarters the previous user used. But I found 2-3 quarters was enough for a shower. The small city of Idyllwild is only a few miles away. You can find whatever you may have forgotten to bring. HOSTS. I found the folks at the front were very nice and helpful. I know at least one of them stays at the site, so they would be accessible at any time usually. read more

This place is fantastic. Great facilities, well maintained, beautiful. Our kids had a ball and the adults all enjoyed the place. The bike paths were great, and we went on some awesome hikes. read more

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Just another area that reminds me of Julian or Big Bear. We came here to go cabin camping in November, it wasn't snow season yet, but still very very cold at night. Temperatures in the daytime is cool and a bit chilly. You can venture around the town and check out random shops and restaurants, or you can go on their multiple hikes. Although it seems like you have to have a nature permit to go on these things, so make sure you do research before doing anything! read more