Campgrounds and RV parks near Bloomington, CA

Day trips fan out in every direction. Heading north on I-15, Lytle Creek offers swimming holes, hiking, and the trail to Bonita Falls in the San Bernardino National Forest. Highway 38 climbs east from Redlands into Barton Flats and on to Big Bear Lake, with fishing, boating, and the Alpine Pedal Path along the north shore. Highway 18, the Rim of the World Scenic Byway, reaches Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs. Closer to town, Glen Helen Regional Park and the Glen Helen Amphitheater are minutes away in San Bernardino. Families heading west can reach Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and the Pomona Fairplex within an hour on uncongested freeways. The Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree National Park lie east on I-10 for cooler-season outings.

Bloomington has a hot, dry Mediterranean climate, with most rain falling between December and March. Winter daytime highs are mild in the valley, but the San Bernardino Mountains receive snow, and Highway 38 and Highway 18 can require chains. Many higher-elevation Forest Service campgrounds, including those around Barton Flats, operate on a seasonal schedule and close or run reduced services in winter. Spring brings wildflowers and the best window for hiking in the lower canyons before heat sets in. Summer is intense in the valley, with afternoon highs frequently in the 90s and 100s Fahrenheit. RV travelers often base in the mountains in summer because Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead sit thousands of feet higher and run much cooler. Fall is dry, warm, and stable, and is also the peak fire-weather season; Santa Ana wind events can prompt red-flag warnings and temporary forest closures. Check current fire restrictions with the San Bernardino National Forest before any trip involving campfires.

Valley parks near Bloomington are functional rather than scenic: paved pads, full hookups, laundry, and quick freeway access, with road noise from I-10 or I-15 at some sites. Expect full hookups including 30 and 50 amp service at the larger private parks. Up the canyon at Bonita Ranch, sites are shaded by trees with the creek running along the property, and cell service is limited the deeper the canyon goes. Mountain campgrounds in the San Bernardino National Forest generally have no hookups but offer flush or vault toilets and drinking water, with dump stations only at select locations. Summer afternoons in the valley are hot, so plan for shade and air conditioning. Bears are active in the higher-elevation campgrounds, so use food lockers where provided and keep the RV secured at night.