Deer Group Camp
San Bernardino National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Big Bear Lake, CA, CA
Price: From $149 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (6 reviews)
Season: May through October
Deer Group Campground is a great place to bring an extended family or large group. Its convenient location provides access to all of the area’s greatest recreation opportunities and lets campers relax and enjoy nature in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California.A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails can be accessed from the campground, including the Seven Oaks Trail, which is located west of the Big Bear Lake Village. The 30-year-old trail is overgrown in some areas, but leads t
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/deer-group-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Deer Group Camp offers a secluded, spacious group setting in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California with access to hiking, mountain biking, and fishing. Campers praise the beautiful scenery, impressive stargazing, and plenty of space for groups up to 40 people.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Gray Fox, Flammulated Owl, White-headed Woodpecker, Common Raven, Clark's Nutcracker, Coast Mountain Kingsnake, San Bernardino Ringneck Snake, San Diego Alligator Lizard
Insider tips for Deer Group Camp: Only 1 group site available — book early as a federal campground High-clearance vehicle recommended for the difficult dirt access road Bring your own bear boxes; only 3 available for groups up to 40 people
Skip Deer Group Camp if: You have a low-clearance vehicle; access road is treacherous. You need RV hookups; none available. You prefer year-round camping; seasonal May-October only.
Best time to visit Deer Group Camp: May-October — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Crystal Lake (Azusa, CA), Jackson Flats (Azusa, CA), Mountain Oak (WRIGHTWOOD, CA), Lake Campground (WRIGHTWOOD, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Deer Group Camp
Cell signal at Deer Group Camp (Big Bear Lake, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
Deer Group Campground is a great place to bring an extended family or large group. Its convenient location provides access to all of the area’s greatest recreation opportunities and lets campers relax and enjoy nature in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California.A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails can be accessed from the campground, including the Seven Oaks Trail, which is located west of the Big Bear Lake Village. The 30-year-old trail is overgrown in some areas, but leads to spectacular views of San Gorgonio Peak, the highest point in Southern California.
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 entryOnly 1 group site available
book early as a federal campground
High-clearance vehicle recommended for the difficult dirt access road
Bring your own bear boxes; only 3 available for groups up to 40 people
Official operating season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Travel I-10 east (State Highway 330) to Running Springs. Turn onto State Highway 18 and continue to Big Bear Lake Dam. Continue 3 miles on State Highway 18 and turn right on Tulip Lane. Turn right onto Mill Creek Road (Forest Route 2N10) for 1.6 miles, turn left on 2N17 for 2 miles then go straight onto 2N08 for .2 miles, then turn left onto 2N45Y to 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 Deer Group Camp cost per night?+
What season is Deer Group Camp open?+
Does Deer Group Camp have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Deer Group Camp?+
How do I make reservations at Deer Group Camp?+
What is the cell service like at Deer Group Camp?+
What season is Deer Group Camp 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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.