Ironwood Group Camp
San Bernardino National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Big Bear City, CA, CA
Price: From $127 per night
Rating: 3 out of 5 (1 reviews)
Season: May through October
Ironwood Group Campground offers a secluded place for an extended family or large group getaway in the mountains of Southern California. A variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, target shooting, fishing and boating, can be found in the surrounding area. The campground offers one large group site for tent camping.
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, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/ironwood-group-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Ironwood Group Camp offers a secluded mountain getaway in Southern California with diverse outdoor recreation including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and boating. Campers praise it as an isolated, scenic retreat with a 4.6/5 rating.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, Spotted Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, Coyotes, and multiple snake species (San Bernardino Ringneck Snake, Coast Mountain Kingsnake, Southern Rubber Boa) documented in the area.
Insider tips for Ironwood Group Camp: Book early — it's a popular federal campground Expect a rough road from Fawnskin (30-45 min drive); 4WD not required but conditions vary This is a group camp designed for large parties or extended families
Skip Ironwood Group Camp if: You need hookups — no hookups available at this site. You prefer established road access — the approach road is rough and remote. You want year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only.
Best time to visit Ironwood Group Camp: May-October — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground (Fawnskin, CA), Hanna Flat (Fawnskin, CA), Grays Peak Group Camp (Fawnskin, CA), Horse Springs Campground (San Bernardino National Forest) (Green Valley Lake, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Ironwood Group Camp
Cell signal at Ironwood Group Camp (Big Bear City, CA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 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.
Ironwood Group Campground offers a secluded place for an extended family or large group getaway in the mountains of Southern California. A variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, target shooting, fishing and boating, can be found in the surrounding area. The campground offers one large group site for tent camping.
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
it's a popular federal campground
Expect a rough road from Fawnskin (30-45 min drive); 4WD not required but conditions vary
This is a group camp designed for large parties or extended families
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. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From San Bernardino, travel east on I-10 to Running Springs. Turn onto Highway 18 to Big Bear Lake Dam but don't cross the dam. Go straight on Highway 38 to Fawnskin. Turn left on Rim of the World Drive (Forest Route 3N14) and continue for about 6 miles. Turn left and then right on Forest Route 3N97. Continue for a short distance 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 Ironwood Group Camp cost per night?+
What season is Ironwood Group Camp open?+
Does Ironwood Group Camp have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Ironwood Group Camp?+
How do I make reservations at Ironwood Group Camp?+
What is the cell service like at Ironwood Group Camp?+
What season is Ironwood Group Camp open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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