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These 9 Yellow Post sites are individual camping sites. Each campsite will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. No reservations. Each site is limited to a maximum of 8 people at any one time. There is limited parking at these Yellow Post Sites for 2 vehicles. Amenities include 1 picnic table and 1 fire ring per site. There are no restroom facilities or drinking water. Please pack it in - pack it out! During winter, Keller Peak Road closes due to snow accumulation, but it is still possible to hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski to these sites. These sites are near the Children's Forest Visitor Center, the Children's Forest Exploration Trail, and the Keller Peak Fire Lookout. Campfire permits are required for any type of fire use - campfires, charcoal BBQ`s, or gas stoves. Campfires and charcoal BBQ's may not be allowed certain times of the year. Click here for current fire restriction information. Keller Peak Yellow Post Site Map
This is a paved road but is very narrow and not recommended for trailers or RV's.
Off the Grid camping here. No hook ups and basically only for tent camping, some rigs will fit, but road can be small in some spots and you’d need to be prepared that it might not fit. This location is super remote yet close to town. The campsites are so spread out you can’t hear a soul. There are yellow post campsites, which are first come, but you can also reserve the larger campsites for groups. There is water, bathrooms and trash bins all close by the group campsites. We stayed in group campsite C and it is so large, you could easily fit a dozen tents and still have space.
We did manage to get our small travel trailer back down the road to that campsite, but if you’re not a good backer-upper, don’t even try. There is no way you could get a big trailer or motor home back there. A van yes, a motor home, hell no.
The bathrooms were really clean and the campsite was well groomed.
Things to note, the dirt at the campsite was really loose and it just made it seam like we were swimming in dust. Don’t expect to stay clean at all, zero chance there.
During fire season there is a zero fire policy. They don’t even allowed you to use the BBQ’s they have set up. So bring all your propane equipment, you’ll need it.
There are trails all over the place and this is a sweet spot to check out Children’s Forest or Keller Peak look out. There are also trails to some incredible city views and you can definitely rock climb here.
Book way in advance here as here are limited camp spots.
Great location, has alot of hiking trails, and killer views! If you plan to camp overnight there are designated yellow posts for that. Only downfall is that the location gets booked pretty fast and finding a spot can be a little difficult (especially over the weekend). The tower is currently closed due to COVID19, but you can stand by it and still see the view.
Overall, it was very peaceful and quiet up until our last night. There were campers who were blasting music and it was projecting over the peak. However, they couldn't be heard anymore after the ranger showed up (they do tours in the evening).
Highly recommend, nice get away.
Late June 2022:
San Bernadino National Forest near Running Springs, California. For information go to website: fs.usda.gov.
The 4 miles long and paved KELLER PEAK RD. is located off of Hwy 18 (Hilltop Rd.) near Running Springs and has 8 yellow post first come, first served campsites and 2 trails. Campsites are free for a 14 day limit in a 90 day period.
Hunting and shooting of weapons is not allowed!
FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT!!! No charcoal or wood fires!!!
A PERMIT is required for use of propane camp stoves.
A Calif. Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking at the trailheads. (For info: fs.usda.gov).
++ Keller Peak Rd is off Hwy 18 (Hilltop Rd.) near Running Springs. We drove to Keller Peak from Highland, CALIF. by way of hwy 330. Two trails are located 4 miles up Keller Peak Rd.: the Observation Trail and the Children's Forest Trail. The Observation Trail also has a parking area on Keller Peak Rd. about 1/8 of a mile in from Hwy 18. FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT. Permit required for use of a propane camp stove.
DETAILs:
- absolutely beautiful area!
- Group camping is available for $104 a night through Recreation.gov & is located near the Children's Forest Trail. A paved parking lot, one bear container for trash disposal, 4 picnic tables and a locked restroom is at this trail.
- Free first come, first served 14 day free camping during a 90 day period (only 8 marked campsites available):
#1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9.
#3 campsite is CLOSED!
2 cars/6 people per campsite
Campsites #4, 5 & 6 are near each other. #4 & #5 campsites on Keller Peak share a parking area & are large campsites with picnic tables. They are located across the road from #6 campsite. (There is an OLD trailhead that is being entered by way of campsite #6. People still come to hike this OLD trail and are parking in campsites #4 & 5s parking area. There is a large empty turnout on the right, just before campsite #4, that is better suited for parking for this OLD trailhead).
Other campsites on Keller Peak Rd are much further apart from each other (sites 1, 2, 7, 8, 9) but are smaller in size.
- Peaceful most of the time.
- Road is used by bicyclists during the day.
Dislikes:
- THEFT!! Yes, theft!!
- Car break-ins at trailheads
- Walkthroughs of the occupied campsites by people who are 'just looking'. They actually were looking for a forest 'toilet' and actually took care of 'business' in an area very close to our campsite.
- several people wanted to use our campsite table.
- Noisy campers nearby with too many vehicles.
- Our campsite parking being used by #6 campers, as well as others who were looking for hiking areas.
- Fires being burned during the fire restrictions period
- 5-6 pounds of trash picked up in campsite #4. Most of it was broken glass, rusty metal items and used toilet paper
- Only 8 free campsites.
- Locked restroom at end of Keller Peak Road.
- No water available
- Trash bin at the Childrens Forest Trail is usually full
- Night traffic!!
- SQUATTERS. After dark we had disturbances by a male squatter in the woods. Law enforcement is on this issue. June 2022.
- Did we mention mountain lions? Yes, this is their home.
Have a pleasant day!
Man this is beautiful. Rangers are about keeping this place pristine. Other than the homeless taking advantage of free 14 day camps. Spot 9 is the best. Waited 3yrs to get it to myself only to run out of O² and stayed in the truck! Store nearby away from grind. Take a sec and see yourself how purdy!
