Best place to camp...

[Chase2]

Hey guys I need some help from you guys. I am looking to break a couple buddies into tent camping here towards the end of August or the middle of September and I want to break them in slowly but give them a taste of being kinda remote and roughing it a bit. It will be myself and two friends with two vehicles (2wd Silverado & 4x4 F350) they have both camped before but never out of the bed of our trucks before. We arent looking to do any wheeling just getting outdoors and doing some rest and relaxation. So with all the experience the majority of you have camping in the local mountains what do you think best suits this trip? Im really open to any suggestions. I was looking into Guppy campground in Wrightwood that looked really nice. But like I said Im open to anything... Wrightwood? Arrowhead? Big Bear? Running Springs? Any help is a big help. Thanks guys!

 

[Nimrod]

I really like Hi Mountain Campground in the Los Padres national Forrest, near Lake Santa Marguerita, north of the city of SLO, in SLO County. It's small, quite (usually), and pretty secluded. A 2wd pickup should have no problem getting there, but you should check with the Park Service before going to make sure the road is open. It gets closed now and then, especially after heavy rain. If you are thinking of trying it, you may want to check the concert schedule at the Pozo Saloon (its on their website) and avoid any weekend when a concert is scheduled.

 

[Jays siik xj]

I personally like June Lake up in the Sierras... Perfect weather, beautiful views, etc... were actually going up in a couple weeks. It's a lil far though

 

[Chase2]

Nimrod- We were tossing around ideas just the other day and SLO did come up but we were hoping for something a bit closer.... mostly because of my buddies psycho b**** sister lives in SLO and if she gets wind of us being in that area we would either A.) be hunted down by her and kidnapped. Or B.) Still hunted down by here but narrowly mange to escape....... I might be over exaggerating a bit but the point is we are trying to avoid that area at all cost!

Jay- I absolutely love June Lake! Ive been going on vacation there since before I could walk. But like you said it's a bit far of a drive for just a weekend.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

are you looking for a campground or real woods camping? the area along the Kern river is killer that time of year and you can do some fishing in the river.

 

[Chase2]

are you looking for a campground or real woods camping? the area along the Kern river is killer that time of year and you can do some fishing in the river.

We are looking for some "real woods" camping. But a "remote" campground will suffice for this trip.

 

[Jays siik xj]

Jay- I absolutely love June Lake! Ive been going on vacation there since before I could walk. But like you said it's a bit far of a drive for just a weekend.

The wife has been going there for about 20 some odd yrs too... I just recently joined them about 7 yrs ago... We go every yr in the middle of Aug. But we Trailer camp.

 

[Lurch]

Mineral King

 

[mako my day]

oneal regional park. Yukaipa regional park. Good places to break into tent camping. Good being that you can buy anything you need within walking distance.

Mountains, just hit up any campground in big bear. Easy peasy.

 

[Nimrod]

All this talk of camping makes me wish I was on vacation.

 

[GSequoia]

Be advised you will not be able to have a campfire just about anywhere in Southern California in dispersed camping until the end of fire season.

I prefer dispersed, I don't like developed camping very much.

 

[JohnX]

Yellow post sites up lytle creek. Mild 4wd to get there, but you'll get a little altitude to beat the heat. Remote...nothing there at all usually. But only half hour from civilization, and very close to home for you.

 

[Jeepnut1]

If it wasn't for the 2 wheel drive I'd say Monache(sp?) meadows by Kennedy Meadows, but I don't think the 2by truck could get back up the hill with out help on a tow strap. We've been up there a bunch with the bikes and it's a great place for primitive camping.

Ever been to twin lakes just above mammoth? we've been there a bunch devoloped campground but really nice and right on the lakes.

 

[K.Hess]

are you looking for a campground or real woods camping? the area along the Kern river is killer that time of year and you can do some fishing in the river.

It is great up that way just be advised that there is no fires allowed this year due to how dry it is, that may be the case every where you go.

How remote are you looking to camp? are you going for a camp ground or somewhere to set up your tent and enjoy the outside?

 

[Chase2]

It is great up that way just be advised that there is no fires allowed this year due to how dry it is, that may be the case every where you go.

How remote are you looking to camp? are you going for a camp ground or somewhere to set up your tent and enjoy the outside?

Open to both to be honest.

 

[Skwerly]

We enjoy Hanna Flat campground up near Big Bear. Remote enough feeling but still relatively close to civilization.

 

[Chase2]

We enjoy Hanna Flat campground up near Big Bear. Remote enough feeling but still relatively close to civilization.

I would say it sounds like a happy medium. Whats the best way to get there?

 

[Skwerly]

We live in Yucaipa so we take the 38 up into Fawnskin and then there's a graded dirt road to the campground. It's really nice.

 

[Chase2]

We live in Yucaipa so we take the 38 up into Fawnskin and then there's a graded dirt road to the campground. It's really nice.

Oh so it's actually in Fawnskin. Ok right on thanks for the tip Ill have to research it a little more later. :star: Gold star for you today!

 

[Skwerly]

Have fun! We really do like that campground.