Pineknot Campground San Bernardino National Forest California
Pineknot Overview
Pineknot Campground has 47 campsites for tents, trailers and small RVs (up to 26 feet) in two loops at the base of Snow Summit Ski Resort Mountain. Campsites accommodate up to 2 vehicles and 8 people per site. It is a popular basecamp for mountain biking on the slopes of Snow Summit. Each campsite has a paved parking spur, food storage locker, table, fire ring and grill. The campground has drinking water and flush toilets. Firewood is also available for sale at the campground. A dump station is also located across the the lake at Serrano campground that registered Pineknot campers can use. Cell service is also good in the area.
The Team Bear Mountain Bike Center is also at Snow Summit. It offers mountain bike rentals and repairs. The Center also holds organized competitive races (downhill and cross-country) for amateur and professional mountain bikers.
Obviously this is a great basecamp to ride mountain bikes, as well as hike, horseback ridge, rock climb, picnic, check out the town of Big Bear Lake, or just kick back under the big trees.
A few other campgrounds in the area are: Hanna Flat, Serrano, Big Pine Flat and Holcomb Valley. Buttercup Group Campground is also next to Pineknot Campground.
Make a Reservation for Pineknot
Amenities
- BBQ Grills
- Campfire Center
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service - Good
- Drinking Water
- Equestrian trail
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Available
- Food Storage Locker
- Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
- Grills
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Rentals
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
- Wood
Activities
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Stargazing
- Walking Trails
- Wildlife Viewing
Big Bear, California 92314
909 866-8550
Lat / Long:
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Campsite Types
- ADA
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
47
Campsite Vehicle Size:
Up to 26 feet.
Season:
May 1 – October 15
Elevation:
6,915
Pineknot Photos
Pineknot Comments & Reviews
Visited Pineknot Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to Pineknot?
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Does pine Knot campgrounds have showers
Hi Rosie,
There are no showers at Pineknot campground.
Where, in the city, is a place for campers to shower???
Hi Linda,
There are no public showers in Big Bear Lake that we’re aware of. Serrano Campground (across the lake from Pineknot) has showers, but only for registered campers.
Linda,
Serrano will let you shower at their campground as long as you have a current registration at Pineknot. We have been camping at both for 20+ years
What is the largest size trailer Pineknot can accommodate?
Hi Michael,
All campsites at Pineknot campground can accommodate trailers/RVs up to 26 feet. Each site as a limit of two vehicles and 8 people.
Hello
Looking to reserve August 17 and checkout 8/20
Never been..
Is there a fire ring and bbq at each site?? Which site is recommended for tent camping?
Hi Tanya,
Yes the Pineknot campsites each have a table, fire ring and grate (for BBQing). There are also some food storage lockers in the campground. We recommend checking out the photos to determine good sites for tent camping, but most are good for tents. You can click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button to check availability, pricing and make a reservation. Have a great time!
I have a reservation for a campsite at Pine Knot. Do I need an adventure pass?
Hi Lisa,
No – an Adventure Pass is not required/needed if you have a campsite reservation at Pineknot Campground. It is needed if you park you vehicle at trailheads or travel on any of the USFS (backcountry) roads in the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres or San Bernardino National Forest.
Hello, going to be staying at pine knot and was wondering what is the size of the bear lockers for food storage? Are they the same dimensions as the ones in n Yosemite?
Hi Frank,
Yes, the USFS food storage lockers at Pineknot campground have the same dimensions:
The lockers measure 17 inches deep by 49 inches wide by 17 inches high (43 cm x 124 cm x 43 cm).
Hello,
What is the average size of the camping site? We have 2 large tents measuring 14’x9′ each. Thank you!
Hi Mike,
I wasn’t able to confirm the average size of the campsites at Pineknot, but most do have large tent spaces that would definitely fit one and (sometimes) both of your large tents. Most of the campsite photos should give you an idea of which sites would work for both tents.
Hello, I have a few questions. I’ll # them to make it less confusing for myself lol.
1) I reserved two sites (14 and 15) for June 13-16 with the intent of having nine people (4 and 5). We were thinking about having 4-5 small tents (2 ppl each) and two large tents, one a 6 person and the other being 10. Would this fit? If so, would this fit with breathing room in the sites? Sorry I know that’s a bit confusing.
2) Also, we’re all 18 y/o however one of us doesn’t turn 18 for a few more months. She is 17. She has complete allowance from her parents to go and they are completely aware of where we will be and so on. Is this still a problem?
3) is there a place in the town to get a fishing license? If so, can we fish in the lake?
4) we’re bringing 2 cars to each site and were looking for a spot for a 5th car. Is there somewhere we can put this car? Even if its out of the campsite a ways. We’ll walk.
5) So I know there’s a noise restriction at a certain time in the night but is there a light restriction as well?
Thank you
Hi Casey,
1) – you can certainly fit 4-5 small tents (between campsites 14 and 15), and there should be room for a larger tent (6 person) is site #15 (not sure about site #14).
2) Having one person 17 years old, with the other as adults is fine.
3) You can purchase a fishing license in a few places in town. Big 5 (in Big Bear Lake) is a good place to purchase a license.
4) Each site can have up to two vehicles (all wheels on paved parking surface). Overflow parking is not available in the campground, but you may be able to find a spot on a nearby street.
5) Quiet time is generally from 10pm to 8am. The camp host/ranger will enforce if you get too loud. And camping neighbors will complain as well.
Hope this helps! Have a great time in Big Bear!
Is the trailer measurement from the toy hitch or the body?
Hi Amar,
Generally campground / campsite parking spur measurements include the tow hitch.
Is the 8 person limit firm. Or can we have 9 or 10? Thanks!
Hi Daisy,
Pineknot campsites permit a maximum of 2 vehicles and 8 people per campsite. Doubt the camp host / ranger will give you a hall pass if you exceed 8.
We love Pine Knot!! looking to go back soon, what is the max tents you can have per site?
We have a 32′ class A motorhome and have camped at Pineknot before. We didn’t have any problems getting in, out, or through the campground. I can understand the 26′ length limit for a towed RV/travel trailer due to some tight turns, but our 32′ motorhome was no problem.
How long has the 26′ length restriction been in place?
Would we be turned away if we showed up in our 32′ motorhome?
Hi Bryan,
Not sure how long the 26′ restriction has been in place, but I think for awhile. With that said – if you’ve done it before, I bet you wouldn’t have an issue getting in again. You may want to give the campground a call to confirm: (909) 866-8550.
When they say “2 vehicles per site” does that include the trailer you towed in? I have a reservation and will be towing a 20′ trailer. Can my daughter meet us there and park her car alongside my truck?
Hi John,
The towed trailer is considered a vehicle. You can park a 3rd vehicle in your campsite (if it fits) for an extra charge of $8 per night at Pineknot Campground.
Are generators allowed?
Hi Larry,
I wasn’t able to confirm if generators are allowed at Pineknot campground. You could try calling to check at: 909 866-8550