Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake

About this campsite

Overview

Crystal Lake is open, however, campsites are no longer available for reservation on Recreation.gov. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Located near the lake at the Crystal Lake Recreation Area and San Gabriel Canyon at an elevation of 5,600 feet. The climate is nice. Areas for tents are provided. Motorized boats are not allowed on the lake. There is no swimming in the lake.

Location

CRYSTAL LAKE•CA

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Common questions about CRYSTAL LAKE

Is CRYSTAL LAKE free to camp at?

Yes. CRYSTAL LAKE in CA is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. We hold no facilities list for it, so go in self sufficient with your own water and a way to deal with rubbish.

Can you book CRYSTAL LAKE online?

We hold no online booking link for CRYSTAL LAKE, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season. If a managing authority takes bookings by phone, their number is the fastest way to confirm a site.

Where is CRYSTAL LAKE?

CRYSTAL LAKE sits in CA. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

800m away

DEER GROUP CAMP

Overview Deer Group Campground is a great place to bring an extended family or large group. Its convenient location provides access to all of the area's greatest recreation opportunities and lets campers relax and enjoy nature in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California. Recreation A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails can be accessed from the campground, including the Seven Oaks Trail, which is located west of the Big Bear Lake Village. The 30-year-old trail is overgrown in some areas, but leads to spectacular views of San Gorgonio Peak, the highest point in Southern California. Fishing and boating at Big Bear Lake are popular activities. Anglers can look forward to trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass, among other fish. Because of cold water temperatures and the presence of underwater obstacles near the shorelines, swimming at the lake is somewhat discouraged, unless done in designated areas. Facilities The campground offers one large group site for tent camping. It can accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles and is accessed by a dirt road. The campsite is equipped with picnic tables, grills and a campfire circle. Vault toilets are provided, but drinking water is not available and there are no trash collection services at the campground. Natural Features This group campground is located in the San Bernardino National Forest, south of Big Bear Lake. It is situated in a somewhat secluded stand of conifers. The mature trees provide much shade for the campground. Nearby Attractions The Big Bear Discovery Center is located about 10 miles from the campground. It provides a variety area information, a gift shop, accessible educational programs and restroom facilities. An interpretive trail is available near the center. Charges & Cancellations Rules & Reservation Policies As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations. Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Tours & Tickets: You may request changes to tour dates at no cost before the arrival date. If you cancel before your tour date, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancellation fees apply. Please check the tour facility description details page for cancellation policies. Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be ch

2.5 km away

Little Jimmy Campground

Campground: Little Jimmy Campground. Operated by Angeles National Forest.

3.8 km away

Coldbrook Campground

Coldbrook Campground offers 22 shaded campsites* at the intersection of Coldbrook and Soldier Creeks that are open year round. Available on a first-come, first-serve basis, each campsite can fit up eight people and two vehicles (additional fee applies for the second vehicle). This campground is less populated then nearby Crystal Lake Recreation Area. However, it does reach capacity on most summer weekends. Each campsite has a fire pit and grill, and picnic tables are available on the grounds. Potable water is available on the campgrounds. The trailhead for the 7-mile round trip hike to the summit of Smith Mountain is just 1/3 of a mile away and the popular Bridge to Nowhere hike is a short drive away. RV's are allowed up to 22 feet, but there are no hookups for electricity or waste. *Note: Camping - $12 per night per site, $5 for extra vehicle. Day use - $5 per vehicle. Adventure Pass will be honored for day use. Campsites are first-come-first-served. Adventure Pass required for vehicles parked outside the campground. A California Campfire Permit is required.

5.3 km away

JACKSON FLATS

Overview Jackson Flats is a group camping facility located next to beautiful Grassy Hollow Visitor Center, which holds numerous nature programs, hikes and activities on Saturdays during the summer. The peaceful setting, in the Angeles National Forest, is a short drive northeast of the bustling Los Angeles metropolitan area. Recreation Campers can enjoy hiking, biking and relaxing in the shade. A few short trails loop around the campground and a connector trail leads to the Pacific Crest Trail. The trail stretches from Mexico through California, Oregon and Washington. Additionally, the Angeles National Forest boasts 557 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. All trails, excluding the Pacific Crest Trail, allow mountain biking as well. Facilities Each tent-only site is located about 600 feet from the centrally-located parking area near the campground entrance. Campers may drive into the campsites only to unload/load their gear to their site. Vehicles may not park in campsites. Each site is equipped with large picnic tables, a campfire circle, grills and bear-proof food storage lockers. Potable water is available at all campsites. Natural Features At an elevation 7,500 feet, Jackson Flats sits in grassy spaces among groves of pine and fir trees, with average summer daytime temperatures in the low 80s. Nights are cool. In Angeles National Forest, vegetation ranges from chaparral and oak at lower elevations to pine forests at higher altitudes. Elevations range from 1,200 to 10,000 feet. The endangered California condor inhabits the forest. The Least Bells vireo and the Southwestern Willow flycatcher are two migratory birds that visitors enjoy spotting in the area. Other local inhabitants include the Arroyo toad, mountain yellow-legged frog, the mountain lion and the two-striped garter snake. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (760) 316-7828. Nearby Attractions The Angeles Crest Highway, part of California State Route 2, is a scenic byway that meanders through oak thickets, chaparral, high desert landscapes and pine tree forests. The ski resort town of Wrightwood is very close by. Restaurants and a disc golf course can be found at the North Resort. Take a hike on the Blue Ridge Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. The Pacific Crest Trail is an impressive path that starts in Mexico and zigzags its way through Angeles and continues north across California, Oregon and Washington.