Keller Peak Yellow Post Site #3

For California residents who consider the San Bernardino National Forest their personal backyard, finding a truly secluded and authentic mountain escape is a high priority. **Keller Peak Yellow Post Site #3** offers an answer to that quest for solitude. This is not your typical developed campground; rather, it is one of a series of designated primitive campsites, often referred to as "Yellow Post Sites," established by the U.S. Forest Service to provide a unique, self-sufficient camping experience away from the crowds.

As a dedicated adventurer, you know the value of escaping the urban sprawl of Southern California. Yellow Post Site #3 allows you to truly embrace the spirit of the wilderness. Located along the scenic Keller Peak Road, this site promises high-elevation views, a forested environment, and the profound quiet that comes from being responsibly immersed in nature. It is ideal for experienced campers, tent enthusiasts, and those with small, self-contained RVs or trailers who adhere strictly to **Leave No Trace** principles.

Crucially, all Yellow Post Sites operate on a **first-come, first-served** basis, meaning reservations are not accepted. This adds an element of classic adventure—you earn your spot by getting there—and provides an escape valve from the often-booked-out developed campgrounds closer to the cities. Understanding the primitive nature and the few, yet strict, regulations is essential to enjoying this rugged corner of the San Bernardino Mountains.

**Location and Accessibility**

Keller Peak Yellow Post Site #3 is situated in the Mountaintop Ranger District of the vast San Bernardino National Forest, placing it conveniently close to the mountain communities of Running Springs and Green Valley Lake, while still feeling wonderfully remote.

• **Specific Address (Approximation):** 6W5M+FX, Running Springs, CA 92314, USA. The exact location is marked by a distinctive yellow post along Keller Peak Road (Forest Road 1N96).
• **Proximity to Communities:** It is just a short drive from the services available in Running Springs, which is essential for resupply since the site itself has no amenities. This balance of remoteness and convenience is highly valued by local campers.
• **Vehicle Access:** The site is generally accessible via Keller Peak Road, which is often a paved forest road up to a point, but the immediate site entrance may be hard-packed dirt. While the road is generally manageable for standard vehicles during warmer months, the overall road system is often narrow. Longer RVs or large trailers (over 20 feet) are generally **not recommended** due to limited maneuvering and turnaround space on the mountain roads.
• **Seasonal Closures:** Due to the high elevation (approximately 6,394 feet), the area is subject to heavy snowfall. Keller Peak Road and the campsites are typically **closed** to vehicle access from late Fall to late Spring, though they remain accessible for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

**Services Offered**

The key characteristic of Keller Peak Yellow Post Site #3 is its intentionally minimal amenity set. The intent is to encourage self-reliance and true primitive camping, a feature that many seasoned California campers prefer.

• **Designated Campsite:** The site is clearly marked by a yellow post, which officially designates it as a legal camping spot in the National Forest, providing peace of mind and protection from unauthorized dispersed camping.
• **Picnic Table:** Each designated Yellow Post site generally includes one Forest Service-provided picnic table, offering a single, stable surface for cooking and dining.
• **Fire Ring:** One permanent, agency-provided fire ring is available at each site.
• **No Services:** It is crucial to note the complete **absence of developed amenities**. This includes:
  • No potable (drinking) water. Campers must pack in all water needed for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.
  • No restroom facilities (vault or flush toilets). Campers must be prepared for primitive sanitation by practicing appropriate waste disposal, such as burying human waste in a 6-inch deep cat hole far from the campsite and water sources.
  • No trash service. The strict rule is **"Pack It In, Pack It Out,"** meaning all garbage, including food waste and packaging, must be carried out by the camper.
  • No electric hookups or Wi-Fi.
• **Campfire Permit Requirement:** A **free California Campfire Permit** is mandatory for the use of the fire ring, charcoal briquettes, or even liquid fuel stoves (like propane). Fire restrictions are extremely common in Southern California, so visitors must check the current fire danger level and restrictions with the Mountaintop Ranger District before relying on a campfire.

**Features / Highlights**

What this primitive site lacks in developed amenities, it overwhelmingly makes up for in unique location features, stunning scenery, and access to local points of interest.

• **Stunning Solitude:** With only a handful of Yellow Post Sites scattered across several miles of the forest road, Site #3 offers a significant degree of privacy and quiet, a true luxury in the popular Southern California mountains. The secluded nature ensures an immersive wilderness experience.
• **Keller Peak Lookout:** The campsite offers fantastic access to the Keller Peak Fire Lookout, a short hike or drive away. Visiting this staffed lookout provides unique insights into the area's fire history and offers absolutely breathtaking **panoramic views** of the San Bernardino National Forest and the surrounding valleys.
• **The Children's Forest:** The site is near the Children's Forest Exploration Trail and Visitor Center. This area provides unique educational and light hiking opportunities, perfect for families looking to engage with the forest ecology.
• **High-Elevation Views:** Situated at over 6,000 feet, the site offers cooler temperatures during the hot California summers and magnificent views of the night sky, making it a favorite for stargazing.
• **Immediate Trail Access:** The area surrounding the Yellow Post Sites is crisscrossed with forest trails, providing opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and general forest exploration right from your campsite.

**Contact Information**

Since reservations are not possible, the best use of this contact information is for checking current fire restrictions, road accessibility (especially after storms or during winter), and confirming the overall status of the Yellow Post Sites before embarking on your journey.

**Address:** 6W5M+FX, Running Springs, CA 92314, USA (San Bernardino National Forest)

**Mountaintop Ranger District Office (San Bernardino National Forest):**

**Phone:** (909) 382-2790

**What is worth choosing** Keller Peak Yellow Post Site #3?

Choosing Keller Peak Yellow Post Site #3 is a declaration of your self-reliance and desire for a pure, uncommercialized camping experience in Southern California. It is worth choosing because it provides a **free, secluded, and designated** basecamp in an otherwise heavily used National Forest. For the experienced California explorer, this site offers unparalleled access to major attractions like the Keller Peak Lookout and the Exploration Trail, while maintaining the quiet solitude that developed campgrounds cannot match. It’s an opportunity to truly disconnect, practice your wilderness skills, and wake up to mountain views that are only available at this elevation. Provided you arrive prepared with all necessary supplies, and commit to the **Leave No Trace** ethos, Site #3 is the ultimate destination for an authentic and peaceful high-desert mountain retreat.

Keller Peak Yellow Post Site #3

6W5M+FX, Running Springs, CA 92314, USA