Crab Flats

Campground · California · 28 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

San Bernardino National Forest (NF) · Open Access

28
Bookable sites
32 ft
Max rig length
up to 8
People per site
5,950 ft
Elevation
Crab Flats Campground picnic tables and log benches under the shade.
Photo: Vista Rec · Recreation.gov

Overview

Crab Flats Campground is an off-roaders paradise, with plenty of off-road vehicle trails nearby for both beginner and experienced riders. Its location not only provides plentiful recreation, but also a secluded escape in Southern California's pine-covered mountains. Campground is difficult to reach without a high clearance vehicle, RV's are not recommended.

Recreation

A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails surround the campground, including the Crab Creek Trail, which provides access to nearby Fisherman's Campground. The scenery along the trail is exceptional.

Other off-road vehicle trails in the area include the 9.7-mile Redonda Ridge Trail, and Holcomb Valley Road, which runs about 26 miles and begins west of the campground. The Crab Flat Loop is also west of the campground.

Green Valley Lake is approximately 6 miles away and offers boating, fishing and swimming opportunities. The 9-acre lake is regularly stocked with a variety of fish.

Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are available in the winter.

Facilities

This primitive campground offers single-family sites for tents. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill and bear box. Vault toilets. Overflow parking is not available.

Natural Features

The campground is located 8 miles from Green Valley Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest, near the town of Arrowhead. It is accessed by a dirt road that crosses Deep Creek. The campground is situated among tall pine, oak and cedar trees. A variety of birds and wildlife make their home in the area.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (909) 866-8550.

Nearby Attractions

The closest communities are Arrowhead and Running Springs.

Charges & Cancellations

Rules & Reservation Policies

As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations. 

Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. 

Booking Window

For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. 

Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees

Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. 

Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Tours & Tickets: You may request changes to tour dates at no cost before the arrival date. If you cancel before your tour date, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancellation fees apply. Please check the tour facility description details page for cancellation policies. 

Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location. 

Late Cancellations

Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.

Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.

Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.

Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.

Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.

No-Shows

Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. 

If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. 

Tours: A tour or ticket no-show is one who does not cancel a ticket before arrival and does not arrive for the tour. Tour no-shows are not entitled to a refund. 

Refunds

Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. 

Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.

Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.

Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.

Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.

Recreation.gov Billing Information

Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." 

Changes to Policies and Procedures

Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 

The facts

  • Season: 04/18/2025 – 10/04/2025 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 28 bookable sites
  • 41 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • Vehicles up to 32 ft
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: AREA CRAB FLATS, CRAB

Site types

  • 28 Standard Nonelectric
  • 13 Management

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

41 campsites at Crab Flats

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
005AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXXAREA CRAB FLATSManagementBack InGravel32 ft8 🐾
XXX10AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX11AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX12AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX2AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX3AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX4AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX5AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX6AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX7AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX8AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
XXX9AREA CRAB FLATSManagement————
001CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
002CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
003CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
004CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
006CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
007CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
008CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
009CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
010CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
011CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
012CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
013CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
014CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
015CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
016CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
017CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
018CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
019CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
020CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
021CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
022CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
023CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
024CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
025CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
026CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
027CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
028CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾
029CRABStandard NonelectricBack InGravel21 ft8 🐾

Getting there

From Running Springs, travel toward Arrowbear, to Green Valley Road. Turn left, drive approximately 4 miles to Crab Flats Campground sign. Turn left and continue about 4 miles to the campground.

34.26345, -117.08663 · 34°15'48.4"N 117°5'11.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in9.48.46.22.60.80.10.20.20.20.62.84.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Crab Flats

Can you reserve a site at Crab Flats?
Yes, Crab Flats is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Crab Flats have?
41 sites in total, of which 28 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Crab Flats?
32 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Crab Flats?
Yes, pets are allowed at Crab Flats.
Are campfires allowed at Crab Flats?
Campfires are allowed at Crab Flats. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Crab Flats also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Crab Flats's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Single Site $27 - Holiday $29 - 8 person maximum
  • Camping fee includes entry for 1 vehicle.
  • Extra vehicle fee $8 per night.
  • Checks under $50 not accepted.

Restrictions:

  • 3 night minimum for holiday weekends. Camping site fee includes entry for 1 vehicle. Maximum 2 vehicles per site, depending on spur length (no other extra vehicles allowed). A $8 fee for extra vehicles will be collected at the campground. Due to washouts (potholes) access road to the campground is v

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Crab Flats

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.