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Shady Cove Group Campground in California
Moderate to BookNational Forest

Shady Cove Group Campground

San Bernardino National Forest, California

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As of October 2026, Shady Cove Group Campground is a campground in San Bernardino National Forest, California with 3 campsites. Shady Cove Group Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Shady Cove Group Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Shady Cove Group Campground is located at 34.2079ยฐ N, 117.0436ยฐ W.
people allowed on each site
30

Shady Cove Group Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Next Available Dates

Oct 4 (3 sites)Oct 5 (3 sites)Oct 6 (3 sites)

3 sites open on Oct 4 at Shady Cove Group Campground. Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 11:24 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

  • Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive days
  • Maximum stay: 14 days

Published by Recreation.gov for Shady Cove Group Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Shady Cove Group Campground

  • Tent 3
  • Hookups 3

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain ยท Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, hiking, wildlife, climbing.

All sites at Shady Cove Group Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the AREA SHADY COVE GROUP CAMPGROUND loop.

SiteTypeSleepsHookups
ATent30Water
BTent30Water
CTent30Water

About Shady Cove Group Campground

Overview

Shady Cove Group Campground is a beautiful place to camp within the Children's National Forest. It provides access to numerous trails and a lookout tower, with a climbing area nearby. The Children's Forest was burned in a devastating wildfire and was rebuilt with the help of area children.

Recreation

Hiking, biking and birding are popular activities. Many trails begin near the campground, including The Trail of the Phoenix. It is a short, paved interpretive trail that begins at the entrance to the Children's National Forest, which is about three miles from the campground.

Facilities

The campground offers three group sites, one of which is accessible, for tent. Each site can accommodate up to 30 people and eight vehicles.

Each site is equipped with picnic tables, pedestal grills and a campfire circle. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Natural Features

The campground is easily accessible, just off a paved road, and has forested tent campsites. It is situated in the mountains of Southern California at an elevation of about 6,000 feet.

Nearby Attractions

Arrowbear Lake is about five miles from the campground, where rainbow trout are stocked annually in the spring. The lake is adjacent to the community of Running Springs, which offers a variety of dining and shopping options, as well a grocery stores and fuel stations.

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

Rules and notices at Shady Cove Group Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Shady Cove Group Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Click here for more information on the San Bernardino National Forest

This facility is operated by Mountaintop Recreation and your comments are appreciated; comment forms are available from campground hosts or on Vista Recreation website. For information call 909-866-8550

Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. Water also may not be available. For current fire or water conditions, contact the Big Bear Ranger Station at 909-382-2790.

Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Shady Cove Group Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Shady Cove Group Campground?

Shady Cove Group Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 3 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Shady Cove Group Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Shady Cove Group Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Shady Cove Group Campground have?

Shady Cove Group Campground has 3 campsites.

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