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San Bernardino/Applewhite
Overview
Overview
Applewhite Campground provides a serene escape within the San Bernardino National Forest. Located along the scenic Lytle Creek, this destination offers a rustic environment for travelers seeking to reconnect with nature. It is a National Forest facility that emphasizes a primitive experience, providing a refreshing contrast to the busy urban centers of Southern California. Visitors often come here to enjoy the cool canyon breezes and the rhythmic sounds of the nearby water. This is an authentic mountain getaway where the focus remains on the landscape and the peaceful atmosphere of the canyon.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the Lytle Creek area, the park is nestled between steep canyon walls and shaded by a canopy of sycamores and alders. The campground is easily accessible from the Cajon Pass, making it a convenient stop for those traveling through the Inland Empire or heading toward the high desert. The surrounding riparian habitat creates a lush backdrop that feels worlds away from the desert floor, offering a unique microclimate that stays notably cooler during the warm summer months, providing a welcome respite for outdoor enthusiasts.
Amenities & Park Features
This is a dry camping location, meaning there are no hookups available for electricity, water, or sewer. However, the park provides essential facilities to ensure a functional and comfortable stay. Key features of the campground include:
- Paved parking spurs designed for trailers and RVs.
- Centrally located and well-maintained vault toilets.
- Access to potable water from shared hydrants located throughout the loops.
- Sturdy picnic tables and fire rings at every individual site.
The layout is designed to maximize privacy while keeping the natural terrain of the canyon floor intact. There is also a day-use picnic area located nearby for larger family gatherings.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw for most visitors is Lytle Creek, where guests can enjoy seasonal wading and creek-side relaxation. Hikers can explore the nearby Bonita Falls, a stunning waterfall reachable via a moderate trail that showcases the area's rugged beauty. For those interested in unique geology, the Mormon Rocks Interpretive Trail is just a short drive away, offering striking views of tilted sandstone formations. Additionally, the proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail offers endless opportunities for trekking through the majestic San Gabriel Mountains.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for self-contained RVers who appreciate a quiet, off-grid experience without the need for modern hookups. Because of the paved sites, it is a great choice for families with camper vans or smaller trailers looking for a quick weekend getaway. It appeals most to those who prefer nature-focused camping over resort-style amenities. If you value crisp mountain air, star-filled nights, and the sound of a rushing creek, this canyon retreat is the perfect fit for your next California RV adventure.
Features & Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Sam Nisbett
Stayed in site 22. Clean campground, quiet after 10pm, plenty of space between sites. Great firepits, nice BBQ and picnic table. The camp hosts were easy to find and pleasant but I caught them early at 10am. No water, no toilets, just port-a-pottys. The Applewhite Picnic area across the street is great for daytime creek access but it got ravaged by storms in late 2025 and is closed for a while which makes the creek access from the campground a driving excursion instead of a walk. Stargazing is better than flatlands but still too much ambient light from LA/San Bernardino corridor to see the Milky Way clearly. You may notice the train horns at night as they go through the Cajon Pass alongside the 15 but there is also a nice low rumble from the creek about 300 feet away. Pretty pleasant. Oh, don't camp there if you want to leave early the morning of the annual Fontana Days Run as your only exit from the campground is the staging/starting area for the annual 6K run to downtown Fontana! We watched people stretch and jog from 6-7am and were the 7th car in line at 8am behind the Fontana utility trucks behind the tired runner pickup bus behind the last runner and made the freeway at 930. Shoulda read the signs. My bad!
Joy Lopez
The campground is nice, but due to damage from December storms, there is no river access from the campground. The picnic area across the street is closed indefinitely and the rest of the nearby river access is private property.
jose cruz
It is an excellent place to go to relax. The price is affordable, and the couple who run the place are super friendly; they keep the area clean. Of course, weekends are a different story—it is always packed. Sometimes there are unsupervised children getting into mischief, as well as people playing their music very loudly. The restrooms aren't perfectly clean, but the peale enchrge do the best they can. I am eagerly looking forward to summer so I can go back at least once a month.
Jillianna Rodriguez
It’s always a great experience here with my man :) I come every weekend with him and pick out different number spaces everytime. Feels good to smell the outdoors! ^_^
robert ,eyer
After reading all the reviews we decided to book site #10 its in the upper loop. Its at the top of a ridge and we only had 2 "neigbors" but weren't close at all. We booked a sunday through Tuesday. Only took away one star because it was almost impossible to find the camp host to buy wood or pay extra fees but they drove around once or twice a day . Also the upper loop portal potties need toilet paper but we brought some so it wasn't an issue. We took walks around the park, went to the day use area and bonita park area both days and had an amazing time. Site ten is relatively flat we put our 13 man tent under the large tree and had only a gently slope. As for people saying the creek and sites have trash everywhere, as of october 21st 2025 there is NONE . I genuinely didnt see ANY trash at the campground or at the day use picnic area. We all got in the creek . Our site had a spigot right out side it and it was perfect . And the fire rings are MASSSIVVEE. We will definatly be back before it gets too cold and again in the spring !