My family and our three dogs stayed here over Labor Day weekend. It was our first trip to Idyllwild. The people who work in the park are exceptional. They are always friendly and willing to give you free maps and information for your stay. The showers were $0.50 for three minutes, not a bad deal, just remember to bring quarters because I don't believe there is a change machine onsite. You may be able to get change at the check-in kiosk, but I'm not sure. This campground is a short walk from the markets, restaurants, and shops of the town of Idyllwild. Sites were spacious and guests were quiet. We stayed in Site 6, a pull-through near the front of the park. We heard coyotes howling two nights of our trip, it was VERY COOL. The nature center, a short hike or drive away, allows you free entrance if you are staying in the park. Our family and our dogs loved it. We can't wait to go back when the snow comes. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Stayed here July 4th weekend. It was a great time. What a relief from the summer heat. There are only dozen or so spots where RVs can park. The road within park is very narrow that is why I adjusted to No for "Big Rig (40' type) access." I do not think tall RVs (tall fivers and Class As) should think about camping here. Low lying branches over hang the drive and a very narrow bridge. We had a spot at the furthest point of the facility very uneven but made do with 2x6s. That's part and parcel to the RVing experience. It's a county campground not a RV resort. Overall it was a ten. County folks were pleasant, it was close enough to the village of Idyllwild to hike there and inexpensive vacation retreat. Note: NO hook-ups but plenty of access to water and no dump station. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Nice park. No frills and it's County-run. If staying in the area for a while, you might want to check out Hurkey Creek or Lake Hemet; both near-by. Idyllwild is a classic mountain community with some great shopping and food. Not a whole lot to do over a few days except nature. Nature walks and some limited mountain climbing are wonderful here. As I said, shopping and eating is good, but you'll be done in one day, two at the most. All shops and food within walking distance, but not from park(s). Take the toad, leave the trailer/motorhome at the site, and venture into town. Park and walk around the shops. Overall fun for family and snow a few times in the winter. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
We have stayed at this campground now probably 4 to 5 times in the last year and absolutely love it. It's quiet, beautiful with the tall trees and is small enough of a campground to feel like you're secluded and have your privacy. It's not one of those types of campgrounds where you are parked right next to someone else like a parking lot. Spaces are spread out to accommodate different kinds of camping whether tent camping or larger trailer parking. We did two of the hikes offered both in summer, fall and winter in the snow. They put up new trail posts over the last few months and this has really helped to hike up to the nature center where they offer a fireplace and interesting things to see like a museum format. If you can't hike to it, there's a road you can drive a short distance to get to this nature center. All campsites have a table and a fire ring and dirt bottoms for tents, not all level though. Pleasant rangers and they are around so if you have questions they are there for you. We will continue to visit this park. Oh, and in the winter you should go and play in the snow there. There's a very large open area and not ever crowded. Can't say enough about this county park! We camped here in a Tent.
A nice campground operated by Riverside County. Easy walk into the town of Idyllwild to restaurants or shopping. Not to be confused with Idyllwild State Park, which is nearby. The elevation is about 5200 feet, so only about five sites open in the winter months. We camped here in a Truck Camper.
I agree with with nearly all said by previous July 2011 reviewer. There are 33 sites including 1 hike/bike site and 1 accessible site #3 which is the only pull through site and the only site currently with 30 amp service and water but no sewer. Stayed 7 nights Sunday to Sunday. Best time is Sunday through Thursday as park is empty. Friday and Saturday is completely full and a bit of a madhouse. State Park staff and campground volunteer host are very friendly and attentive to the park. Ranger makes nightly drive/walk through entire park looking for troublemakers. Restrooms and showers are cleaned 2-3 times each day. Trailer limit is 24 feet. There is a small nature trail surrounding the park. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
This state park also has another campground, Stone Creek with 46 campsites. Idyllwild Campground is in a forest next to the town; Stone Creek is 6 miles north surrounded by manzanita bushes. Out of 30 sites at Idyllwild Campground, 9 are tent only and the rest are tent & RV, 2 pull throughs. Water and sewer hook ups are available in a few sites such as site 26 where we stayed. Almost immaculate restrooms and showers. Activities within 2 miles include antiquing, restaurant/bar hopping, nature viewing, hiking, rock climbing, fishing at Strawberry Creek and campfire programs on Saturday evenings in the summer. The staff are serious about enforcing noise and 8 person per site rules. The only drawback was Camp Maranatha next door which had some raucous activities. We camped here in a Motorhome.