Campsite for booking · Big Bear Lake

Council

via Recreation.gov Angelus Oaks, CA, Big Bear Lake, California, United States

Overview

Pitches
1
Pitch types
tent
Season
Not stated: check on Recreation.gov
Check-in / out
14:00 / 12:00

Facilities

  • Dogs allowedListed by Recreation.gov
  • Hardstanding pitchesListed by Recreation.gov

Policies

PetsYes
SmokingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
Instant bookingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
CancellationNot stated: check on Recreation.gov

About this campsite

Overview

The Council Group Campground is a great place to enjoy a large outdoor gathering with just about everything the San Bernardino National Forest has to offer.

Its location provides a great place for visitors to relax, take in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

In addition to a nearby lake and river access, a variety hiking, biking and horseback riding trails can be accessed from the campground. Recreation

The campground provides access to the famed Santa Ana River Trail, which when completed will travel all the way from the mountains to the pacific ocean, providing spectacular views along the way. It is currently popular with hikers, bikers and horseback riders.

The Rio Monte Trail is also accessible from the campground, leading visitors to the Rio Monte Panorama, which overlooks the deep gorge of the Santa Ana River Valley.

Visitors can also enjoy fishing and non-motorized boating, including kayaking and canoeing at the nearby Jenks Lake, a small mountain lake with a picnic area and access to hiking trails.

The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and there are also some largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish and catfish available. Fishing is also available in the nearby Santa Ana River. Facilities

The campground offers one accessible group campsite, available for tent and RV camping. The site can accommodate up to 50 people and 13 vehicles. A campground host is available at nearby Barton Flats Campground if needed for check-in assistance and to answer questions regarding the area.

The site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Larger campfire circles are available as well. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Natural Features

The campground is located northeast of San Bernardino, just off of Highway 38, in the Barton Flats area of the San Bernardino Mountains. The highway is part of the Rim of the World Scenic Byway. The campground is situated in a pine forest, at an elevation of about 6,360 feet.

Nearby Attractions

The Grayback Amphitheater on State Route 38 provides evening educational programs on most Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer months. Programs are hosted by the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association and pertain to the area's background and rich history. Charges & Cancellations

Rules & Reservation Policies

As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations.

Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites.

Booking Window

For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility.

Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees

Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.

Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Tours & Tickets: You may request changes to tour dates at no cost before the arrival date. If you cancel before your tour date, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancellation fees apply. Please check the tour facility description details page for cancellation policies.

Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location.

Late Cancellations

Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.

Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.

Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.

Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation…

Managed by a US federal agency. Data source: ridb.recreation.gov.

Description supplied by Recreation.gov.

Where you can stay nearby

Campsites, aires and parking within 30 km, from OpenStreetMap.

  1. Council Group Campground
    Campsite · Big Bear Lake, California
    80 m from the pick-up area
  2. Barton Flats
    Campsite · Big Bear Lake, California
    510 m from the pick-up area
  3. Barton Flats Campground
    Campsite · Big Bear Lake, California
    620 m from the pick-up area
  4. San Gorgonio Campground
    Campsite · Big Bear Lake, CaliforniaWaterToiletsShowers
    1.4 km from the pick-up area
  5. YMCA Camp Edwards
    Campsite · Big Bear Lake, California
    1.9 km from the pick-up area
  6. East Flats
    Campsite · Big Bear City, California
    3.5 km from the pick-up area

Nearest dump station and water

  1. Service point near Big Bear Lake
    Service point · Big Bear Lake, CaliforniaWaste
    660 m from the pick-up area
  2. Water point near Big Bear City
    Water point · Big Bear City, California
    14 km from the pick-up area
Pick-up10 kmPlot of OpenStreetMap data
Map of 6 places to stay near Council. CampsiteFull map

Similar campsites nearby

Barton Flats

CA, California · 710 m away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

San Gorgonio

Angelus Oaks, CA, California · 1.3 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Oso Group

CA, California · 1.9 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Lobo Group

Angelus Oaks, CA, California · 1.9 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Data: Recreation.gov (RIDB), from ridb.recreation.gov, last updated 13 October 2026. Federal agencies provide this data and are responsible for it; it may be incomplete. Not endorsed by Recreation.gov or the U.S. Government. About this data. Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Price on Recreation.gov's site
Check availability on Recreation.gov (opens in a new tab)