Boulder Group Camp

Overview

Boulder Group Campground is a great place to bring an extended family or large group for a relaxing camping excursion. 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

The campground provides access to a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails, including the Seven Oaks Trail, which is west of 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, boating and swimming at Big Bear Lake are popular activities. Anglers can look forward to trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass, among other fish.

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 site 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

The group campground is located in the San Bernardino National Forest, south of Big Bear Lake. It is accessed via a dirt road, just off the main highway through the area. The campground is situated in a somewhat secluded stand of mature conifers, which provide much shade.

Nearby Attractions

The Big Bear Discovery Center is located about 10 miles from the campground. It provides a variety information about the area, 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 charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.

Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.

Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.

Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.

No-Shows

Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. 

If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. 

Tours: A tour or ticket no-show is one who does not cancel a ticket before arrival and does not arrive for the tour. Tour no-shows are not entitled to a refund. 

Refunds

Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. 

Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.

Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.

Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.

Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.

Recreation.gov Billing Information

Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." 

Changes to Policies and Procedures

Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

  • Picnic table: all 1 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 1 sites
  • Group sites: all 1 sites
  • Longest rig: 20 ft
  • Largest party: 40 people

Directions

From San Bernardino, take I-10 east to Running Springs. Continue on Highway 18 to Big Bear Lake Dam, but do not cross the dam. Go 3 miles and turn right on Tulip Lane. Turn right on Mill Creek Road (Forest Road 2N10) and continue about 2 miles. Turn on Forest Road 2N10B and travel a short distance to the campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

6 reviews
5 stars
4
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
Robert T
Loop:Boul
Site:
Reviewed 2 years ago
I have been coming to this Boulder Camp site since 1987 in May or June almost every year, except when snowed in or during the covid pandemic. I enjoy it a huge amount. I feel the 8 vehicle limit in parking is far too restrictive as they start charging for additional vehicles after 8. Another concern for me is that they have not been fully maintaining the toilet area for the past few years. The toilet seat was broken for over a year about 10 years ago on the right side bolt and I repaired it with my drill installing 2 screws. Now for the past few years maybe longer, the solar toilet fan that sucks the stink out which reduces flies has been broken. The Ladies are super disappointed about this!! Also the front 3/4's of the toilet base where it is screwed to the concreate has disconnected and can move up as much as an inch. The sealant is completely gone except for the back 1/4, so stink come out from there to. It can rock back and forth from the concrete at times. The Ladies HATE this as well !! Now I bring two cans of deoterizer when renting this site. PLEASE FIX THESE THING ASAP. When I first started renting this site it was $13 a night. Now $145 plus fees. We deserve these basic maintenance issues to be RESOLVED !! I know Ladies that said they will never come back because of these bathroom issues. Personally I can deal with them being a guy that camps in the middle of the dessert when riding dirt bikes, quads, and ATV's. I like the bear lockers they installed in the past 7 years or so, USE THEM. Or the bears will get in to your food!! A great spot for hiking just east of the camp. And a great mountain bike trail that goes for miles just to the west of the camp. I also love the large campfire ring, the additional tables they added this past year, and the huge BBQ this spot has. If not for the bathroom area issue I would have given it a 5 star. NOTE: If the ladies where rating this they would give a 3 star max, because of the toilet issues !!
Amy G
Loop:Boul
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
Wonderful group camp site. Lots of shade, large rocks and even a view of the lake if you hike to the back. Saw very few other people. Multiple tables, a charcoal grill and firepit available. Had a wonderful stay and will definitely be back!
Tedd K
Loop:Boul
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
No water is available. But the site keeps privacy.
Greg H
Loop:Boul
Site:
Reviewed 5 years ago
Great!
Jorge R
Loop:Boul
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
Amazing spot
Joseph P
Loop:Boul
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
If you don't mind a little rusticness (i.e., pit toilets), then this is a great campsite, especially for larger groups. You have complete isolation, so no need to worry about disturbing other campers. Reasonably close to Big Bear if you need provisions or want to go to a restaurant. Plenty of hiking and biking trails around the campsite. Road to the site is a little rough, so make sure you bring a car that can handle it.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Popularity: Quiet

Busiest in August, when about 30% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 11 years of reservations.

Camp Sites

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