Boulder Basin Campground, located on Black Mountain Trail in Banning, California, USA, offers a rustic camping experience within a national park setting. As part of the Campgrounds & RV Parks category, this campground provides a unique outdoor experience with opportunities for climbing and scenic views.
Boulder Basin Campground offers the following features and services:
However, it is important to be aware of the following potential challenges:
Guests have praised Boulder Basin Campground for its scenic views, climbing opportunities, and dark sky environment. The trail to the fire lookout tower is a popular attraction. However, potential visitors should be aware of the challenging road access, basic amenities, and potential day use traffic near certain campsites. The lack of water and pit toilets should also be considered.
Boulder Basin Campground is ideal for individuals and groups seeking a rustic camping experience with opportunities for climbing and scenic views in Banning, CA. It is particularly suitable for those who appreciate a dark sky environment and are prepared for challenging road access and basic amenities. Visitors should bring their own water and be aware of potential day use traffic near certain campsites.
For inquiries, you can contact Boulder Basin Campground at:
Phone: (909) 382-2921
Mobile Phone: +1 909-382-2921
Address: Black Mountain Trail, Banning, CA 92220, USA
Hiking
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Running water
Tent sites
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Dogs allowed
Wonderful National Park with well layed out camping sites. The road is very difficult in car or low clearance vehicles (Do not attempt unless very experienced in a car). There are no real marked hiking trails other than the road up to the lookout tower, well worth a visit. The Rangers were all super nice and friendly. Pit toilets only and no water was available during our trip. Bring a telescope 🔭 if you have. It's a great dark sky area.
This is a great campground roughly 5 miles down a fire road. Road conditions weren't terrible at the time of writing this. This campground can be pretty idyllic. There are boulders all around and great views to be had with just a short walk. Even better views are available up the trail to the fire lookout tower. It's an easy out and back ~1.3 miles. This is a popular spot for bouldering and climbing and there is a lot of day use behind campsites 20 & 21 so if you aren't keen on joining them, grab a different site.
While a little treacherous to get to at times (definitely need a higher-clearance vehicle) the campground is situated on a prefect location surrounded by boulders and tall trees. We stayed in spot 30, which has an amazing view and drop behind it. Lots of great opportunities for bouldering!
Cons: tent got stolen during the day Sunday (sometime between 9am and 6pm). I'm never coming back because I'd like to trust people and not lose my gear. Dirt road to get up is in rough shape, took an outback up no problem, got carsick at one point but maybe that's just a me problem. Saw a Honda Civic barrelling down the road somehow so I guess it can be done in smaller cars too but get ready for the bottom to get scraped. No water except a tap 0.6 miles down the road. Pros: nice views, not too many people, bouldering if that's your thing
Pretty nice campground. Lots of spots here. We probably saw 4 other spots occupied on a mid-June Monday. No water anywhere (no surprise). At least 2 outhouses (male/female) with standard pit toilets. A bit stinky but normal for a forest. Light to moderate bugs in mid June in a poor winter earlier in the year.