Bluff Mesa Group Camp
San Bernardino National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Big Bear City, CA, CA
Price: From $149 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4 reviews)
Season: May through October
Bluff Mesa Group Campground is conveniently located for campers to enjoy all the beautiful Big Bear Lake area has to offer. A variety of trailheads are nearby, leading visitors through the scenic forest that surrounds the campground.The campground offers one large group site for tents. It can accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles and is accessed by a dirt road.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bluff-mesa-group-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Bluff Mesa Group Camp offers convenient access to Big Bear Lake area with nearby trailheads through scenic forest and a variety of recreation including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and swimming.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagle, Spotted Owl, Coyote, Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake, and Southern Rubber Boa documented in the area
Insider tips for Bluff Mesa Group Camp: Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand Group camp amenities include fire rings and picnic tables for gathering Access to trout fishing at Big Bear Lake
Skip Bluff Mesa Group Camp if: You need hookups - most sites have no hookups. You plan to camp outside May through October - seasonal operations only. You prefer individual sites - only 1 site available (group camp).
Best time to visit Bluff Mesa Group Camp: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Boulder Group Camp (Big Bear Lake, CA), Grays Peak Group Camp (Fawnskin, CA), Shady Cove Group Campground (FAWNSKIN, CA), Serrano (FAWNSKIN, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bluff Mesa Group Camp
Cell signal at Bluff Mesa Group Camp (Big Bear City, CA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Bluff Mesa Group Campground is conveniently located for campers to enjoy all the beautiful Big Bear Lake area has to offer. A variety of trailheads are nearby, leading visitors through the scenic forest that surrounds the campground.The campground offers one large group site for tents. It can accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles and is accessed by a dirt road.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with high demand
Group camp amenities include fire rings and picnic tables for gathering
Access to trout fishing at Big Bear Lake
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Take I-10 east to Running Springs. Turn onto State Highway 18 and continue to Big Bear Lake Dam. Turn right and continue for 3 miles. Turn onto Tulip Lane and turn right on Mill Creek Road (Forest Road 2N10). Continue 4 miles and turn right on Forest Road 2N86 and continue to the campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — San Bernardino National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at San Bernardino National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bluff Mesa Group Camp cost per night?+
What season is Bluff Mesa Group Camp open?+
Does Bluff Mesa Group Camp have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?+
How do I make reservations at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?+
What is the cell service like at Bluff Mesa Group Camp?+
What season is Bluff Mesa Group Camp open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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