Shady Cove Group Campground
San Bernardino National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: FAWNSKIN, CA, CA
Price: From $114 per night
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Season: May through October
Shady Cove Group Campground is a beautiful place to camp within the Children’s National Forest. It provides access to numerous trails and a lookout tower, with a climbing area nearby. The Children’s Forest was burned in a devastating wildfire and was rebuilt with the help of area children.Arrowbear Lake is about five miles from the campground, where rainbow trout are stocked annually in the spring.
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, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/shady-cove-group-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Shady Cove Group Campground offers beautiful camping within the Children's National Forest with access to numerous trails including the paved Trail of the Phoenix, and campers praise its cleanliness, accessibility for large groups, and proximity to multiple trailheads within walking distance.
Wildlife alert: Gray foxes, red-tailed hawks, red-breasted sapsuckers, Williamson's sapsuckers, red-breasted nuthatches, southern rubber boas, coast mountain kingsnakes, and southwestern speckled rattlesnakes are documented in the area.
Insider tips for Shady Cove Group Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 3 total sites and high demand for group camping. Multiple parking areas are available near each of the three campsites (A, B, and C) for group accessibility. Trail of the Phoenix is a short paved interpretive trail starting at the campground entrance, suitable for all abilities.
Skip Shady Cove Group Campground if: You require RV hookups — no hookups available.. You need camping outside May through October — seasonal operations only.. You prefer solitude — this is a group campground designed for large parties..
Best time to visit Shady Cove Group Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Green Valley (FAWNSKIN, CA), Bluff Mesa Group Camp (Big Bear City, CA), Crab Flats (Big Bear City, CA), Fishermans Group (FAWNSKIN, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Shady Cove Group Campground
Cell signal at Shady Cove Group Campground (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.
Shady Cove Group Campground is a beautiful place to camp within the Children’s National Forest. It provides access to numerous trails and a lookout tower, with a climbing area nearby. The Children’s Forest was burned in a devastating wildfire and was rebuilt with the help of area children.Arrowbear Lake is about five miles from the campground, where rainbow trout are stocked annually in the spring.
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 only 3 total sites and high demand for group camping.
Multiple parking areas are available near each of the three campsites (A, B, and C) for group accessibility.
Trail of the Phoenix is a short paved interpretive trail starting at the campground entrance, suitable for all abilities.
Campground operates seasonally May through October 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 Running Springs, drive approximately one mile on Highway 18 to the Deerlick Ranger Station/Children's National Forest Visitor Center. Turn right on Keller Peak Road and continue about five miles. Follow signs 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 Shady Cove Group Campground cost per night?+
What season is Shady Cove Group Campground open?+
Does Shady Cove Group Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Shady Cove Group Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Shady Cove Group Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Shady Cove Group Campground?+
What season is Shady Cove Group Campground 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.