Tanglewood Group Camp

Campground · California · 1 bookable site ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

San Bernardino National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1
Bookable site
25 ft
Max rig length
up to 40
People per site
7,559 ft
Elevation
Picnic Tables and Group Fire Circle at Tanglewood Group Camp Sign
Photo: Silvana Friedman · Recreation.gov

Overview

The Tanglewood Group Campground provides a picturesque spot for an extended family or large group getaway. It is nestled in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California, providing a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors of any age.

Recreation

A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails are nearby, including the scenic Gold Fever Trail. Climbing is also a popular activity.

Fishing and boating in the nearby Big Bear Lake are also popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the campground. Anglers can look forward to a catch of trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass, among other fish. Because of cold water temperatures and the presence of underwater obstacles near the shorelines, swimming at the lake is somewhat discouraged, unless done in designated areas.

Facilities

The campground offers one large-group campsite, available for tent camping. It can accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles. The access road to the campground is dirt and gravel.



The campsite is equipped with multiple tables, a campfire circle and grills. Vault toilets are provided, but drinking water is not available and there are no trash collection services at the campground.

Natural Features

The campground is located northeast of Big Bear Lake at an elevation of 7,542 feet. It is situated in a dense pine forest along the Gold Fever Auto Tour Trail, which provides a variety of interpretive sites that highlight the rich gold mining history of the area.

Nearby Attractions

A general store and restaurants are available about eight miles southwest of the campground in Fawnskin. The closest available showers are at Serrano Campground, east of Fawnskin.

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: 05/02/2025 – 10/04/2025 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 1 bookable site
  • Vehicles up to 25 ft
  • Up to 40 people per site
  • Loops: TANG

Site types

  • 1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

Amenities

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

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

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Tanglewood Group Camp

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
1TANGGroup Tent Only Area Nonelectric—Gravel25 ft40 🐾

Getting there

Take I-10 (Highway 330) to Running Springs. Turn onto Highway 18 and continue to Big Bear Lake Dam. Continue on Highway 38 for 8 miles. Turn left on Van Dusen Canyon Road (Forest Route 3N09) and drive for 4 miles. Turn right onto Forest Route 3N16 and travel approximately 2 miles. Take a right on Forest Route 3N79 and continue approximately 0.8 miles to the campground.

34.29285, -116.86423 · 34°17'34.3"N 116°51'51.2"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in3.43.52.20.70.50.10.70.30.40.51.32.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.5 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 Tanglewood Group Camp

Can you reserve a site at Tanglewood Group Camp?
Yes, Tanglewood Group Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Tanglewood Group Camp have?
1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Tanglewood Group Camp?
25 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Tanglewood Group Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tanglewood Group Camp.
Are campfires allowed at Tanglewood Group Camp?
Campfires are allowed at Tanglewood Group Camp. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Group Site $149 - Holiday $159

Restrictions:

  • Campground capacity, maximum of 40 persons and 8 vehicles. No extra vehicles can be accommodated at this campground. No refunds are given for bad weather.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Tanglewood Group Camp

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

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