Serrano Campground
40800 N Shore Dr, Fawnskin, CA 92333
Overview
The Serrano Campground is a scenic campground right next to the lovely Big Bear Lake located in the San Bernardino Mountains. It is easily accessible from the highway and has 109 campsites that can accommodate RVs, tents, and trailers.
Serrano Campground is popular with families enjoying the lake and going hiking, biking, boating, swimming, fishing, and kayaking. There are hookups and a dump station, and pets are allowed throughout the property.
The campground is open from mid-March to November but the opening season can change depending on the weather.
Best Campsites at Serrano Campground
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Serrano Campground.
Site 64
- Most accessible campsite
- Has shade
- RV accessible
- Proximity to hiking grounds
- Electricity enabled
- Water connection
- Campfire available
- Pets are allowed
Sites 37, 43, 44, 45, 54, 55, 57 and 62
- Hookup sites
- RV accessible
- Proximity to hiking grounds
- Water connection
- Campfire available
Sites 1, 2, 4, 89 and 124
- More shade
Sites 105,106 and 107
- More shade
- Lake view
Sites 72, 73, 84 and 85
- Double sites
- Provide shade
- Can host 16 people
- Pets are allowed
- Campfire is available
Sites 112 and 113
- Double sites
- Lake view
- Provide shade
- Can host 16 people
- Pets are allowed
- Campfire is available
Unique Experiences
- Get your adrenalin fix and go ziplining at Magic Mountain.
- Paddle around the iconic Big Bear Lake in a rental kayak.
- Bike or hike the Alpine Pedal Path, a popular trail with a picturesque backdrop.
- Visit the Big Bear Discovery Center and learn more about the beautiful environment of the San Bernardino National Forest.
- Go tandem parasailing and enjoy the lake with a bird’s eye view.
- Visit the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, a zoo unlike any other that only hosts wounded or orphaned animals that are unable to live in their natural environment for any reason.
- Go for a picnic at the Meadows Edge picnic area with your family or friends and enjoy some quality time as you relax in nature.
Serrano Campground Campground Rules
Max Trailer/RV Length
55ftMax People per Site
8Max Vehicles per Site
2Fires allowed?
Only in designated fire ringsPets allowed?
YesSerrano Campground Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesTo make a reservation, please call 1-877-444-6777 or 1-909-866-8021 to talk to the campground customer service personnel. Alternatively, you can visit the website at www.recreation.gov.
Single sites cost $37 while single sites with hookups cost $47. An extra $2 is charged per night for holidays. An additional $8 fee is charged for a second vehicle on a single campsite and $10 is charged for RV dumps. Reservations are accepted any time between 6 months and 24 hours beforehand. A 3-night minimum is required for holiday weekends.
Ensure you have the following to make a reservation:
- Park selections
- The date you wish to start camping
- Type and size of camping equipment
- Number of people that will occupy the campsite
- Number of nights you wish to camp
- Alternative park and camping date choices
- Your phone number and area code
- Method of payment /credit card number and expiration date
- Mailing address
Group Camping Reservations
There are no group sites located in Serrano, but this campground has several double sites that can accommodate 16 people each. The double sites cost $73 per night. An extra $2 is charged per night for holidays. The camping fee covers only two cars so any car above this number will incur an extra $8 fee.
Campsite Reservation Cancellation
To cancel a reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov. Cancellation is allowed at any point and you shall receive a refund but will be charged a $10 cancellation fee. However, if you cancel less than a day before the date of your arrival, you will also be charged the first night’s site fee.
Serrano Campground Campground Cost
Single sites
$37Single sites with hookups
$47Activities
Fishing
Swimming
Hiking
Photography
Horseback Riding
Canoeing / Kayaking
Bike Trails
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Cell Service
Campfire Rings
Grills
Campground Host
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Serrano Campground
Not quite sure what you are looking for? Here are some other popular campgrounds nearby to help you make your decision.
Pineknot Campground
Also located right by Big Bear Lake, Pineknot is more popular for outdoor enthusiasts while Serrano is more popular with families.
While Pineknot campground can also accommodate RVs, it is more suited for tent camping. There are no hookups or a dump station at Pineknot while there are in Serrano. A single site in Serrano costs $37 while that of Pineknot costs $31.
South Carlsbad State Beach
With 223 sites, South Carlsbad is a larger beach campground located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean while Serrano is at the 6,800 elevation of Big Bear Lake which means it will be significantly cooler.
South Carlsbad offers watersports like surfing and kitesurfing while Serrano offers more mellow activities like kayaking and fishing. While Serrano offers beautiful mountain and lake views, South Carlsbad is one for beach lovers. Like Serrano, South Carlsbad offers full hookups and a dump station.
Carpinteria State Beach
Another beach campground with picturesque views of the ocean, Carpinteria campground is open all year, unlike the Serrano Campground which is closed between late December and early March.
Like Serrano, Carpinteria offers full hookups, but their sites are more expensive costing $45 to $80 compared to Serrano’s $37. Carpinteria also offers 7 group camping sites that can accommodate up to $65 people, while Serrano has no group camping facilities. With 191 sites, Carpinteria is also bigger than Serrano’s 109.
Barton Flats Campground
Located at 6,300 feet, Barton flats is at a similar elevation to Serrano. It is a smaller campground with 51 sites compared to Serrano’s 109.
Like Serrano, Barton Flats is similarly located in the San Bernadino Mountains. Barton Flats doesn’t offer any hookups but has a dump station, while Serrano has both. It is a 25-mile drive from Barton Flats to Big Bear Lake, while Serrano is located right on the lake but there is a nearby Jenks Lake to fish in.
