Pineknot
San Bernardino National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Fawnskin, CA, CA
Price: From $34 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (397 reviews)
Season: May through October
Pineknot Campground is located in the mountains of San Bernardino at Big Bear Lake. It is a popular destination for many outdoor enthusiasts looking for respite from the busy cities nearby. While the campground can accommodate RVs, it is best situated 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, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Camp Host, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/pineknot to be notified when sites open up.
Pineknot is a highly-rated mountain campground (4.5/5 from 256 Google reviews) located at Big Bear Lake with excellent access to lift-served mountain biking trails and hiking. Campers praise the well-maintained facilities, clean restrooms, and conveniently positioned amenities.
Wildlife alert: San Bernardino Flying Squirrel, Coyote, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, and Southern Sagebrush Lizard have been documented within 8km of the campground.
Insider tips for Pineknot: Book early as this is a popular federal campground that fills quickly. Request sites away from the entrance for more privacy, though entrance sites like #2 are still viable options. Bring a self-contained RV or tent camp, as most sites have no hookups.
Skip Pineknot if: You need RV hookups — this campground has no hookups at most sites.. You require year-round camping — operations are seasonal (May through October only).. You're visiting outside peak season and flexibility is limited..
Best time to visit Pineknot: May through October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only..
Nearby campgrounds: Buttercup Group Camp (Big Bear Lake, CA), Serrano (FAWNSKIN, CA), Boulder Group Camp (Big Bear Lake, CA), Tanglewood Group Camp (SAN BERNADINO, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Pineknot
Cell signal at Pineknot (Fawnskin, 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.
Pineknot Campground is located in the mountains of San Bernardino at Big Bear Lake. It is a popular destination for many outdoor enthusiasts looking for respite from the busy cities nearby. While the campground can accommodate RVs, it is best situated 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 as this is a popular federal campground that fills quickly.
Request sites away from the entrance for more privacy, though entrance sites like #2 are still viable options.
Bring a self-contained RV or tent camp, as most sites have no hookups.
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 →
From I-10 in Redlands, take Highway 330 to Highway 18 in Running Springs. Continue east on Highway 18 at Big Bear Lake Dam, go straight at the dam and follow Highway 18. Turn onto Summit Boulevard and continue to a block wall. Turn left into 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 Pineknot cost per night?+
What season is Pineknot open?+
Does Pineknot have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Pineknot?+
How do I make reservations at Pineknot?+
What is the cell service like at Pineknot?+
What season is Pineknot 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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