Holcomb We Haven't Camped Here?

Holcomb Valley Campground Near Big Bear Lake

06.08.2017

Holcomb Valley is just a few miles north of Big Bear Lake, but this broad expanse of meadows and ponderosa pines feels far removed from all the lakeside hubbub. It’s the perfect peaceful camping spot: You can play at the lake all you like and return for a night under the stars.

Holcomb Valley Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest has 19 pine-shaded sites, all of them first-come, first-served. Each site is complete with a picnic table, ample room for several tents, and a large fire pit with removable grill top, perfect for sitting around the fire, roasting hot dogs and s’mores, and enjoying a brilliantly star-filled sky.

The campground has vault toilets and no running water, so be sure to bring in your own water. If you’re looking to enjoy a more secluded experience, pitch your tent on the side opposite the entrance, where the open valley behind you is an added treat.

In the morning, explore the half-mile trail that leads from the northeast corner of the campground into the adjacent meadow. Enjoy the playful calls of the California towhee, smell the blue sage, and find shade underneath the juniper trees as you walk farther into the meadow. The hike is over all too quickly, but you can continue cross-country into the surrounding hills, and get a stunning view of Bertha Peak and Delamar Mountain. As you look over the valley below, imagine the bustling scene 150 years ago when all the hubbub was here, and not at the lake—peaceful Holcomb Valley was once the hottest gold-mining region in Southern California.

EXTRA TREAT: After your weekend in the backcountry, if you’d like a masterfully crafted breakfast with friendly service, head over to Broadway Café in Big Bear City, right on Big Bear Boulevard. The breakfast burger and Sunday’s all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast are two favorites. If your dog is with you, don’t hesitate to ask for water and a biscuit.

To reach Holcomb Valley Campground from Big Bear City, take Big Bear Blvd. (CA-18) and turn north onto Stanfield Cutoff. After 0.4 mile, turn left onto CA-38 for 2.1 miles and then turn right onto Polique Canyon Rd. Follow that road for 1.6 miles and then turn right onto 2N09/Polique Canyon Rd. After 2.4 miles, turn right onto 3N16/Holcomb Valley Rd. and continue 0.9 mile to the campground. The access road is drivable for 2WD vehicles and campers; just proceed slowly. The campground host will collect your fees: $21/night, $23 on holidays. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

    View

  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

    View
  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

    View
  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

    View

  2. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  4. A woman standing at the pond's edge at Ernest B Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles. Trees are making reflections on the pond.

    Urban Oasis Loop

    Home to the city’s Audubon Center, Ernest E. Debs' 282-acre park features a robust network of hiking trails and surprising wildlife diversity. More than 140 bird species have been spotted here. Birdwatcher or not, this 2.5-mile route makes for a gorgeous outing.

    View