Skyline Group Campground

For Californians seeking an elevated group camping experience amidst stunning mountain scenery, Skyline Group Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest presents an excellent choice. Nestled at a high elevation with panoramic views, this campground offers a beautiful and clean environment perfect for extended family gatherings, scout groups, or any sizable group looking to connect with nature in comfort. It's a place where towering pines provide shade, mountain air invigorates, and abundant recreational opportunities await just steps from your campsite.

Our goal with this comprehensive article is to provide you with a detailed overview of Skyline Group Campground, highlighting its prime location, the essential services it offers, and the many features that make it a cherished spot for group adventures in Southern California. While it has faced some recent challenges, its enduring appeal as a "beautiful and clean campground" makes it a top consideration for future planning, demonstrating why it's one of "our favorite places to camp" for many discerning visitors.

Skyline Group Campground is located at 46853 CA-38, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305, USA. This address places it high in the San Bernardino Mountains, at an elevation of approximately 6,880 feet. The campground is nestled among pine-covered slopes, offering a picturesque and serene setting. Its position along California State Route 38 (CA-38), a major route through the San Bernardino National Forest, ensures relatively easy access from various parts of Southern California.

The campground is situated within the Mountaintop Ranger District, which is known for its diverse outdoor recreation opportunities. While it retains a remote and secluded atmosphere, it's not far from the popular Big Bear Lake area, approximately 20 miles away. This provides the best of both worlds: a peaceful camping experience with the option to venture to a bustling resort town for additional amenities, dining, and water-related activities.

Access to the campground itself features paved roads and a parking area, making it suitable for both tent and RV camping, though RVs are limited in length. However, it is crucial for potential visitors to note a significant update: Skyline Group Campground is currently closed throughout 2025 due to road damage caused by the Line Fire. The hope is for it to reopen in 2026. Therefore, while planning future trips, it's always advisable to check the latest conditions and opening status via the recreation.gov website or by contacting the San Bernardino National Forest directly using the provided phone number. This ensures a safe and uninterrupted camping experience.

Skyline Group Campground is designed to provide essential amenities for a comfortable group camping experience within a beautiful forest setting. While not a full-service resort, it offers key conveniences that enhance enjoyment and ease for larger parties:

• Single Large Group Campsite: The campground offers one dedicated group campsite, capable of accommodating up to 25 people and approximately 9 vehicles. This singular large site makes it ideal for private group gatherings without being disturbed by other campers.

• Potable (Drinking) Water: Drinking water is provided on-site, a highly valued amenity that eliminates the need for groups to haul in large quantities of water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.

• Vault Toilets: Clean vault toilets are available for use, ensuring basic sanitation facilities. While not flush toilets, they are maintained to provide a comfortable experience.

• Multiple Picnic Tables: The group site is equipped with several picnic tables, providing ample space for communal meals, games, and group activities.

• Campfire Rings with Grills: Multiple campfire rings, each with a grill, are available. This allows for enjoyable campfires and cooking over an open flame (subject to current fire restrictions and a valid California Campfire Permit, which often limit fires to gas/propane stoves during high fire danger periods).

• Paved Roads and Parking Area: The internal roads and the parking area within the campground are paved, contributing to a clean and accessible environment for vehicles.

• Trash Collection Facilities: Trash and recycling collection facilities are available year-round, making it easy for campers to properly dispose of their waste and maintain a clean site, adhering to Leave No Trace principles.

• Food Storage Lockers: Bear boxes or food storage lockers are typically provided at group sites in bear country. These are essential for securely storing food and scented items to prevent wildlife encounters.

• Reservable Site: This group campsite is reservable, allowing groups to plan their outings well in advance and secure their desired dates through the recreation.gov system.

• Tent and RV Camping: The site accommodates both tent camping and RVs (up to a certain length, typically around 25 feet for group sites), providing flexibility for different camping preferences.

• Beautiful Mountain Setting: Skyline Group Campground is consistently praised for its "beautiful" natural environment. Nestled among towering pines at a high elevation, it offers a serene and picturesque backdrop for camping, with plentiful trees providing shade and a refreshing mountain atmosphere.

• Exclusive Group Camping Experience: As a single, large-group campsite, Skyline offers an exclusive and private camping experience. This means your group will have the entire site to yourselves, fostering a stronger sense of community and allowing for activities without disturbing other campers.

• Clean and Well-Maintained: Visitors frequently commend the campground for being "clean." This attention to cleanliness significantly enhances the comfort and enjoyment of all campers, making it a reliable choice for group outings.

• Proximity to Big Bear Lake and Amenities: While feeling secluded, the campground is only about 20 miles from Big Bear Lake and its adjoining town. This proximity provides easy access to a variety of water-related recreation (boating, fishing, swimming), golf, shopping, and restaurant options, allowing groups to balance wilderness immersion with convenient amenities.

• Abundant Recreational Opportunities: The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest offers a wealth of activities. Campers have access to backcountry hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, including segments of the famed Santa Ana River Trail, which provides miles of scenic views. Creek fishing is also available nearby.

• Access to Unique Trails: Specific trails like the Wildhorse Creek Trail (exploring rolling terrain and leading to a remote camping area) and the serene Aspen Grove Trail (leading to a small grove of quaking aspen, beautiful in the fall) are accessible near the campground, offering diverse hiking experiences.

• Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: The natural setting provides opportunities for wildlife viewing, with a variety of mountain flora and fauna in the area.

• High Elevation Benefits: Camping at 6,880 feet provides cooler temperatures, especially during California's warmer months, making for a more comfortable and refreshing outdoor experience.

Address: 46853 CA-38, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305, USA

Phone: (877) 444-6777 (This is the reservation line for recreation.gov, which manages bookings for many National Forest campgrounds, including Skyline Group Campground).

Mobile Phone: +1 877-444-6777

For current conditions, fire restrictions, and up-to-date information regarding the closure and potential reopening, it is highly recommended to check the recreation.gov website or contact the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor's Office directly at (909) 382-2600.

Skyline Group Campground stands out as an exceptionally suitable destination for Californians, particularly those organizing large group outings and seeking a blend of natural beauty and practical amenities. Its prime location within the San Bernardino National Forest, easily accessible via CA-38 from Southern California's major metropolitan areas, makes it a convenient choice for a quick mountain escape.

For locals, the dedicated group campsite format is a significant advantage. It simplifies planning for family reunions, club trips, or scout adventures, ensuring everyone can stay together in a private, spacious setting. The presence of potable water, clean vault toilets, and organized trash collection significantly enhances the comfort and convenience of a group stay, making it a more accessible option even for those new to camping or with younger family members.

The breathtaking mountain scenery and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation—from hiking and biking on extensive trails to fishing in nearby creeks and visiting Big Bear Lake—align perfectly with the active and nature-loving lifestyles of many Californians. Skyline offers a chance to disconnect from urban life and reconnect with nature and loved ones, fostering memorable experiences in a beautiful, clean, and well-managed environment.

While the temporary closure for 2025 is a consideration, the consistent "excellent" reviews and its status as a "favorite place to camp" underscore its enduring appeal. For Californians looking forward to planning a future group adventure that combines the serenity of the mountains with comfortable facilities and a wealth of activities, Skyline Group Campground promises an ideal and highly recommended experience when it reopens.

Skyline Group Campground

46853 CA-38, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305, USA