Council
San Bernardino National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: ANGELUS OAKS, CA, CA
Price: From $234 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (4 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Camp Host, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/council to be notified when sites open up.
Council Group Campground in Angelus Oaks offers excellent access to San Bernardino National Forest with nearby lake and river access, hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Google reviewers consistently praise it as ideal for group gatherings and outdoor skill-building, with one camper noting it comfortably accommodates 50 people.
Wildlife alert: San Bernardino Flying Squirrel, Spotted Owl, Steller's Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Band-tailed Pigeon, California Ground Squirrel, Merriam's Chipmunk, Southern Sagebrush Lizard, Western Skink, and Ringneck Snake documented in the area.
Insider tips for Council: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand. Site has two fire rings with clean water sources and good shade trees. Group-friendly with capacity for large gatherings; ideal for organized trips.
Skip Council if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites.. You're sensitive to highway noise — reviewers noted proximity to the highway.. You're visiting outside May through October — seasonal operations only..
Best time to visit Council: May through October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only..
Nearby campgrounds: Barton Flats (Angelus Oaks, CA), Oso Group (Angelus Oaks, CA), Buttercup Group Camp (Big Bear Lake, CA), Pineknot (Fawnskin, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Council
Cell signal at Council (ANGELUS OAKS, CA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
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.
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.
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
this is a federal campground with high demand.
Site has two fire rings with clean water sources and good shade trees.
Group-friendly with capacity for large gatherings; ideal for organized trips.
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: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Take I-10 East to Redlands. Take the University Street exit, EXIT 80. Turn left (northbound) on University Street. Turn right onto E. Lugonia Avenue/SR-38. Continue on State Highway 38 for approximately 17 miles to the campground entrance.
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.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Council cost per night?+
What season is Council open?+
Does Council have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Council?+
How do I make reservations at Council?+
What is the cell service like at Council?+
What season is Council open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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