Fern Basin Campground

Banning, CA

4.4(71 reviews)Book online

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About this campground

The picturesque Fern Basin Campground is a perfect escape from a busy lifestyle. It provides peace and quiet in the mountains of southern California as well as access to countless recreational opportunities. The campground offers multiple single-family campsites for both tent and RV camping. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are also provided. Visitors to the area enjoy hiking on the Marion Mountain Trail, which leads to San Jacinto Peak. Views from the peak extend to the ocean and across the Palm Desert, as well as the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains on a clear day. The 11.8-mile Marion Mountain Trail is the shortest route up the mountain, but is also quite strenuous in areas.

What campers say

Fern Basin Campground is a small, affordable, off‑grid site popular with tenters and small campers. Sites are generally well‑maintained with parking pads, picnic tables and fire rings, but sit close together so privacy is limited. Facilities are basic: vault toilets/porta‑potties with minimal lighting and occasional odors, and water has been reported out at times — there are no showers or hookups. Expect a narrow, twisty entrance road. Nearby trails and mountain views make it a good base for day hikes and stargazing. Insect activity (mosquitoes, bees) and the lack of bear boxes have been noted, so plan accordingly.

Our summary of 71 traveler reviews.