By:
Submission
Fisherman's Group Campground is a semi-primitive campground reached by a 2.5-mile hike into the mountains of southern California. The dirt road and walk to the sites are well worth the effort once you reach the campground, which is nestled in a scenic forest on the banks of Deep Creek.
Visitors enjoy access to some great birding and wildlife viewing. Other activities include hiking, horseback riding, hunting and mountain stream fishing. A variety of trailheads can be accessed near the campground.
The campground provides four walk-in sites that can accommodate up to eight people per site for tent camping. There are no hookups of any kind at the campground. Drinking water and trash collection are also not provided. Stream water must be boiled or filtered prior to drinking. A bear-proof trash container is provided at the facility, but campers must pack out what they pack in.
The campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. A vault toilet is provided. Horses are permitted at the campground, however, there are no corrals or watering stations available.
The campground is situated along Deep Creek, 2.5 miles into an area forested by tall pine, oak and cedar trees at an elevation of about 7,000 feet. It is nestled in the mountains of southern California, in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Big Bear Lake and the Big Bear Discovery Center are located about 21 miles from the campground. The center provides information on the area, a nature-themed gift shop, educational programs and restroom facilities. Trailheads are available at and near both the lake and the visitor center.
From Highway 18, turn north on Green Valley Lake Road and travel 3 miles. Turn left on Forest Route 3N16 (a dirt road) and continue for about 5 miles. Park in the designated parking area just beyond the turn to Tent Peg Group Campground and walk 2.5 miles to Fisherman's Group Campground.
The camp is grate, no too many people..but i have an orrible experience with the #campbighorn the gps give the address to acces from there but is a private propriety so have of my family and i spent 5 hours to get to camp pushing 2 wagons car and the other 1/2 go to the trial there is 1 hour from there.
When we camming back the same thing hapend 5 hours pushing a wagon car just because the camp big horn dont let the truck passing. Plus one of the supervisor ranger dont kare abaut grandpa or kid was with out watter. Just the ruller is simple no body pass it dosent matter if you are dying. So oviusly is no a good camp for kid.
Far enough on a good, but not easy trail, to get away to a nice stop at Deep Creek. Cool off in a small swimming hole or wade through the water and rocks. By the time you get back to your car, you will wish you were back in the shady creek bed.
----- Important: ----
Hike-in trail only (this is not car-camping at all).
Water filtration system essential.
Use the Fisherman's Camp / Crab Creek Trail 2W07 way-point for GPS directions. (Deep Creek Camp Rd is not open to public and will cost you several hours of daylight).
Light weight hiking/camping gear. (Pack lighter than you think, especially if you're not used to hiking with camping gear. I packed 30lbs for 2 days and 2 nights).
4x4 vehicle for the 3N16 and 2W03 access roads. (While we 2x4'd it, there are some areas when returning which may pose some issues, especially if wet/icy).
Bears (bear bag suggested).
Rattlesnakes.
-- Amenities: --
Stream water (for filtration).
2 toilets (suggest bringing own TP) and trashcans.
-- Recommendations: --
Good hiking boots (well tightened to avoid blisters).
Bug spray, Citronella Incense. (Lots and Lots of flies).
-- 1st try unsuccessful: --
The 1st time yielded much information needed in my Important section of this review. Also, the 1st time we went to Crab Flats when we realized we had a hiking experience which we were severally unprepared for. We were lucky we didn't make it to Fisherman's that time as a Rain/Snow and Wind storm was approaching fast and it cut our weekend trip even shorter as we decided to get out before it hit.
-- 2nd try successful: --
This is a wonderfully less traveled experience to be out in nature. Hiking approx. 2.5 miles to the campsite has lovely vistas and scenery. Hiking poles significantly helped me negotiate the fallen trees and downhill declines and uphill inclines with 30lbs. on my back.
The campground has 4 campsites where lucky campers can reserve, each with their own benefits from what I could tell.
The first night yielded loads of stars! It always amazes me to peer up at these planets/stars and gaze upon their light which is however old and far away. An incomprehensible time-frame in human experience. We utilized a phone app to enhance this experience in finding constellations.
The 2nd day we hiked up Deep Creek, jumping over rocks on the water, maybe a quarter mile (from site #4) and found a lovely area to swim in and bask in natures glory. We were fairly secluded and as I found the water too cold too cold for me, one of three in our group decided to take a brief swim. The temp was in the mid 70's with cloud coverage, I am guessing the water was close to 50 degrees as there was a chilling bite to walk through the water to stand on a sandbar. Nevertheless, the creek's scenery was majestic to the three of us.
On that day the ranger stopped by the campground. He checked our reservation/permits and to make it very clear that no camp fires were allowed. He also informed us there are lots of rattlesnakes out here and to be cautious. Along with informing us the fire that happened almost 20 years ago wiped out lots of Firs and now Oaks mainly inhabit the area, which attract the hordes of flies. He was very informative and pleasant to speak with.
That second night there were clouds which dropped the temp a little and covered the stars. There were no other campers at the other sites on Sunday evening which provided a sense of solitude. I haven't experienced that before. Where you feel like you are alone in the wilderness, along with your group. For me it was peaceful as it was only one night, might even be peaceful for several. Listening to the crickets, owls, river, wind through the trees and valley, falling acorns, and whatever else lurked in the wilderness that night. I heard something small moving on the rocks close to the beach, but couldn't figure out what it was, possibly a rodent or some small creature like that.
Our final day we all woke up and said we wished we could stay several days more. We leisurely took our time with coffee, breakfast, and packing up. We left at approx. 11am to hike back to the car, which is primarily an incline. Stopped several times for breath and scenery.
Overall it was a lovely experience which I would gladly do again to stay longer.
