Pineknot Campground

Big Bear, CA

4.5(259 reviews)Book online

About this campground

Pineknot Campground in Big Bear City California is a Forest Service Campground located just down the road from Snow Summit Ski and Recreation area.

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. It is in a prime location for mountain biking.

The campground offers dozens of single-family sites for tent or RV camping. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Firewood is available for purchase. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. No hookups are available. Trash collection bins are also available and a campground host is on-site. A dump station is available across the lake at Serrano Campground.

The campground sits at the base of Snow Summit Ski Resort at an elevation of 6,900 feet. It is nestled in a dense forest of fir, pine and oak trees, which provide ample shade in the campground.

Its location at the base of a ski mountain provides visitors with unlimited access to popular lift-served mountain biking trails. Hikers also enjoy the campground's proximity to a number of trails that vary in levels of difficulty. Big Bear Lake offers a variety of water-related recreation opportunities, including boating and fishing. A marina is located about five miles from the campground. The cold waters of the lake aren't too popular for swimming, but canoeing and sailing on the lake are viable options.

What campers say

Pineknot Campground is a shaded, spacious campground just above Big Bear Village with convenient access to nearby shops. Most sites offer ample shade, bear-resistant storage, a picnic table and fire ring, and reviewers consistently describe the flushing restrooms as clean—there are no showers onsite. Sites can fit rooftop rigs or multiple tents, though truly flat tent pads are limited in some spots. Hosts are generally reported as friendly, but a few guests noted variability in upkeep. Roads are one-way and car traffic can be noticeable at some sites. Firewood is sold on-site (cash).

Our summary of 259 traveler reviews.