Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Manker Flats Campground

    3.7 (33 reviews)

    Manker Flats Campground Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Manker Flats Campground

    Recommended Reviews - Manker Flats Campground

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    A small bear came through the campground.
    Rebecca C.

    I camped here from October 19 (Thursday) to October 22 (Sunday), and it was my first experience at a first come first serve campground. There were plentiful spots on Thursday and Friday morning, but by Friday evening there were slim pickings at this campground, which I imagine is the pattern at most first come first serve places. There were envelopes that you could use to deposit cash (bring the exact amount!) and they also accepted check. I'm including a picture of the instructions/fee information. On the USFS website for Manker Flat Campground it says "Bears are very active in this area, so it is recommended that all campers use provided bear boxes, personal bear canisters, or seal all food as to eliminate scent" but there are NO BEAR BINS PROVIDED. We thought that perhaps bears were not that big of a problem in the area because of this, but we did see a bear in the middle of the campground on Saturday night while we were around our campfire. We all stood up and made some noise which led it to walk off. We had left our trash out after dinner, so we made sure to clean up more quickly from then on. The campsites are fairly close to each other, and ours was separated from the next one only by some rocks arranged in a line on the ground. Some spots were hard to put stakes in as well, but overall no real complaints. I thought the bathrooms were fine. They are your standard pit toilets, and while they were running a little low on toilet paper (though there was still some) on Thursday, rangers must have come by because by Saturday morning they had been completely restocked. They don't have light or hand sanitizer, so be sure to bring a headlamp and your own soap/sanitizer. In another review, I saw someone was concerned about the lack of service in case of emergency. We stopped by Mt Baldy Lodge & Restaurant and they had free wifi, so if you have an emergency that might be an option if it is open. Overall, this was a great place to camp and we did Cucamonga Peak (a short drive to the trailhead) and Mt Baldy (the trailhead is a short walk away) during our stay.

    Sandra L.

    Please note that the last review appears to be about a year and a half ago and I visited Manker Flats on a weekend. A friend of mine told me she was taking her siblings for a snow day up at Mt. Baldy, specifically Manker Flats campground. I decided to join her. We went on a Saturday, it's a relatively easy trip to Mt. Baldy from the 210 freeway. We didn't need chains for the tires despite the sign indicating that we did. Once you pass Ice House Canyon, the road gets really twisty so take the turns carefully. There are signs everywhere indicating where you're at so it's difficult to get lost. Manker Flats has ample parking on the sides of the road and at the median, you will need an adventure pass to park at Manker Flats. I guess I need to disclose that I went on a Saturday around 11 am and it was recently after rain and cold weather. What I'm getting at is that everyone in the 20 mile radius decided to make it a snow day as well. After waiting in a slow turtle crawl of a wait to find parking, I needed to use the loo like no one's business. There was a blue porta potty parked in the outer area of the campgrounds which had a line that stretched a good 30 feet. Luckily my eagle eye son had spotted a row of porta potties further up the road. Hiking up the mountain in icy terrain - super fun! Please note there are 4 portable bathrooms to the left of the road and they virtually had no wait at all! Worth the trek! After the relief, we decided to hit the "snow". At best, it was packed and patchy. Now..the 2 stars are not for the over crowding, not for the traffic, not for the lack of snow, not for the lack of closer portable toilets. No. The 2 stars is for the filth and trash that was everywhere. I wish I could say that there was a lack of trash cans or otherwise, but in truth there was trash strewn recklessly all over the campground. There were pieces of plastic from broken sleds all over. Bottles, capri sun pouches, a water bottle that had some interesting yellow fluid in it, and the piez de resistance was a paper plate with rice and beans and plastic fork dug in it. It was difficult to walk around without stepping on trash. How difficult is it to pick up after yourself or teach your children to pick up after themselves? I admit I wasn't expecting Arrendale or anything like that, but I was expecting something a little more decent. If you decide to visit Manker Flats during snow season (when and if we have it) , might I suggest a weekday? Lastly, please pack it out. Every small bit helps!

    The group campsite
    Ashley A.

    It really wasn't all that bad. We went in March so it wasn't packed at all but the road was closed and water was turned off so you do have to hike in and bring your own water. Parking is close by to the outer campsites so it can be an easy hike in like less than a mile. There's no manager/camp host. The bathrooms are basically outhouses however pretty clean. It was beautiful though.

    The bathrooms were great! Flushing toilets and clean, not like some other reviews I read on here
    Amber K.

    Great place to camp but get there early! Friends and I arrived at around 5:30 p.m. on the Friday after memorial day and the camps were already all taken. We set up tent in an area that we weren't even sure was a night spot, may have been a day only, and luckily one of the camp sites only had one car and the guy let us leave our car next to his. We were waking up at 2:30 a.m. to leave for a hike so we kind of squatted, we did have an adventure pass displayed and put $11.00 into the box. Anyway, get there EARLY in the afternoon or probably be out of luck. Happy to have our temporary campsite staked out we were happy to find the Snowcrest inn right down the street about 1/5 mile from where we pitched ten. It is a very quaint ski lodge meets backwoodsy bar meets the Shining! Friend and I played 2 rounds of pool and we could have had drinks had we not just drank some of our own beers. Roaring fire in the fireplace and some very vibrant locals in the bar! Loved it!

    Flora K.

    The bathrooms were quite disgusting. Pros: Cheap. $12/night w/out adventure pass or $10/night with. $35 for pass at visitor center. Close (if u live in IE) Large spots good for groups, there are a few spots that I saw could easily accommodate 4-5 tents. Good hiking, waterfall. Have never had a problem arriving and getting a spot. Cons: Absolutely disgusting bathroom situation. Idk what was wrong but there was constantly a puddle of water all over the floor the whole time I was there. So I could not use the bathroom without getting my shoes wet which I know it's camping, but the wetness was over the line for me. During the day, there was so many flies that were attracted to the water all over the floor that I could not bring myself to enter, it sounded like a beehive. I approached the doorway but I could not bear it. The only reason I gave it 1 instead of 2 stars is that I have been camping at this spot 2 other times in the past and both of those experiences were very pleasant. The last time, there was a female park ranger and I saw her clean the bathrooms thoroughly every morning and they were kept in great condition the whole time I was there. I guess the bathroom situation is hit or miss depending on who's working. I will give them that I think the bug and bathroom situation might have been exacerbated by the season/weather. This was our first time camping here during hot weather, the last 2 times it was cold. Even given the weather I think they could have made a little more effort to at least keep the bathroom dry even if it's not the cleanest. Especially since the wetness attracted so many bugs that it was literally rendered unusable during the day. It's a pretty flat and open campground so there's not many places for a female to pee without being obvious.

    Ubaldo C.

    I recently camped here with my wife and 1 year old daughter and it was a great experience for us. Bathrooms aren't the best but what can you do. The park ranger was very friendly and chatty. We went the first week of April and it was a bit chilly and very gusty early before the sun came up. It's very close to Mt Baldy so a lot of traffics noise in the day time. Overall great spot. Had tons of fun.

    See all

    Photo of Justa N.
    10
    34
    15

    8 days ago

    Used to get high here in the 90s. Cool spot to party. Be respectful. Dont trash it or it will be Gone.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Great place to get away and back into nature... Every season is has a special experience!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    I don't feel safe here. No host, no bear box, no light at night. There is a homeless living there permanently.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julie K.
    80
    47
    11

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    A nice little place to escape the city. Greatfor a family day or a nice date. Plenty to enjoy.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 1
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ashley A.
    206
    23
    27

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amber K.
    25
    69
    81

    14 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Flora K.
    38
    198
    152

    9 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Cool spot to camp at. Rocky terrain makes it kinda hard to stake your tent. About 20 or so campsites.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jennie M.
    20
    21
    19

    8 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mona B.
    137
    349
    196

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Belen C.
    172
    30
    17

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Manker Flats Campground

    Which campsite is recommended here?

    Is this camp ground open year round?

    We're going to hike mt baldy this weekend, can we park here?

    no, not unless you pay for a campsite.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Manker Flats Campground

    Like everyone else said its cheaper if you have a adventure pass, and not much has changed from 2009 to 2010.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground

    Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground

    3.8(557 reviews)
    15.5 mi

    Great location and affordable pricing for RV camping experience with nicest view of lake around the…read morearea. There's other too nearby also but with top views this one is recommended

    Cool spot for casual intro camping, but not if you want the full wilderness experience. I didn't…read moreget any photos of our camp spot, but the bring your own tent (BYOT lol) area is limited. You are perched away on a small hill with 3 shared fire pits between about 6 - 8 different tent sites. So if you want your own fire pit and privacy I definitely recommend some place else or else you'll be rolling the dice if people are there before you. This also isn't the best place for getting lost in nature as there is lots of light pollution from street lights, RV's, campers and cars coming in and out. You also have great cellular reception - so, if you want that full wilderness experience with a technology break, definitely check out parks further out. Reservations for tent sites are all done via telephone so be sure to call! As of the last date I went in Jan it was $31 to reserve a tent spot and fire wood bought from the campground was $15. (A bit pricey for sharing). The bring your own tent spots are also NOT next to or near the lake! Keep that in mind if you wanted to night fish! The pro is that the tent spot is close to the bathroom and the bathrooms do have showers! I will say this place is very RV and camper heavy with the main bulk of it being RV's - so if you have an RV or enjoy glamping this is an awesome spot!

    Photos
    Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground - Me and the beautiful lake

    Me and the beautiful lake

    Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground - Little guy love in the smour's.

    Little guy love in the smour's.

    Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground

    See all

    Crystal Lake Camp Ground - Picnic table and tent

    Crystal Lake Camp Ground

    4.1(62 reviews)
    13.4 mi

    This campsite cost $20 per night and has toilets that drop into the ground and a spigot for water…read more You'll need to bring everything else for your comfort and truck out your trash. It's about 45 minutes from the bottom of the hill off Sierra Madre Ave and San Gabriel Canyon rd. No cellphone service a mile from that intersection going north into the canyon. If you're going in two or more cars you should bring walkie talkies and that'll be useful when you look for a campsite if it's packed or all sites are taken. Drive around separately to locate a site for yourself. Some sites allow for single car usage and others allowed for three or more cars. The car that pays for the campsite doesn't need to buy the adventure pass but those additional cars do and it's $5 per day. As soon as you find a site. Park your vehicle there and trek over to the ranger station and tell them the Loop your on and the campsite # your at and pay the fee. They'll give you a piece of paper you attach to your site number so when the ranger comes by to verify they'll know you paid. They have trails to Crystal lake and around the campsite. Bring plenty of drinkable water especially during the summer months. Most campsites have shade but some do not. There are roughly 125 campsites in all. You can just go there for the day but you'll still need an adventure pass to park in the parking lot. The actual lake as of summer 2025 is low and not safe to swim in but you can fish and you'll need a fishing license to do that. You don't need a 4x4 vehicle to go up to the campsite as the roads are all paved. Come and check this campground out in your next adventure to your local mountains!

    Crystal Lake campground bathrooms need help! Let me emphasize this...the bathrooms here need…read moreserious help. I love camping and I understand that the idea of maintaining a toilet may be difficult in a forest environment, but these facilities need either regular maintenance or should just be shut down. The smell is horrific, and the amount of flies in the bathroom feasting on the poop that is drenched along the rim and bowl of the toilets says to me that these spaces haven't been cleaned in months. I really enjoyed Crystal Lake itself and the grounds, but I highly recommend that people plan an alternative solution for bathroom needs. In my opinion it is required that you bring your own toiletries and I feel the best solution is to bring your own portable toilet tent. I noticed others had made this choice and if I had known, my 3 day trip would have been better. On one night, in the women's bathroom, someone decided to poop on the floor. I imagine pooping in the toilet was too gross for them. The level of abhorrence that person must have felt is truly undeniable.

    Photos
    Crystal Lake Camp Ground - Blue jay and forest

    Blue jay and forest

    Crystal Lake Camp Ground - Camp set up

    Camp set up

    Crystal Lake Camp Ground - I'm prepared to cook

    See all

    I'm prepared to cook

    Dogwood Family Campground - Yellow Jacket infestation (each trap had between 50 to over 100 in 2 days). We had 6 traps set up.

    Dogwood Family Campground

    4.2(201 reviews)
    24.0 mi

    9/7/2026 thru 9/9/2025…read more We come to Dogwood every year because we really Love it here. We do the hiking trail twice a day, grill some meats, take Hot showers before bed and sleep in tents. It is beautiful here, the facilities are clean and most importantly you can take Free HOT showers. This year we planned to stay two nights at Campsite #87. But left early, only staying the one night leaving around 1pm on 9/8/2025. During the night around 1am we heard someone or an animal walking around outside our tent. (We have Never experienced any kind of wild life animal or people walking into our campsite before. This was the first time this happened to us). The steps were light and almost human. The light grunting and chewing on what sounded like twigs or maybe acorns and light heavy breathing is what made us realize it was not human. But we were not sure and all of us were scared to look outside. After staying still and playing dead for two to three hours we finally fell asleep and woke up around 5:30am. And started our day. Went for a hike and came back to our tent / campground. HUGE Black Bear encounter. We got back to our campsite before 10ish, ate, relaxed and were drinking tea. When suddenly out of no where I saw a huge Black Bear just casually strolling into our neighbors campsite walking past their RV camper and headed we towards the garbage dumpsters or towards the Rimforest high school. We Jumped into our car and stayed there until the bear was out of site. Then we met with the Park ranger and let them know that we just saw the Black bear. Park ranger then confirmed that the bear was also here last night. And that that there was a Mountain Lion lurking around as well. So we had to be on high alert and if we see the mountain lion to hide or get in your car. I gave my family members one look and within one second we agreed to pack up and head back home. Although we know bears can be seen whenever you go hiking or camping. We never expected it to actually ever happen to us. So to be safe we had to cut our trip short.

    Another great stay. This year we did not have nearly as many yellow jackets (thank goodness). This…read moreyear we maybe had 4-5 all trip. Last year 6-year-old nephew got stung over 16 times one afternoon. They ended up having to take him to the emergency room and leave to go back home on the first night. I suggest if you're going to bring traps just incase to hang them around the site. Last year we set up 6 traps around the site and water spout. Each trap had between 50-over 100 in just 2 days. That would be my only complaint about this campground. The bathrooms are plentiful clean. They are serviced and refilled multiple times a day. There are free hot showers too. The sites are pretty shaded and depending on where you stay...some sites are small and others are nice and secluded. There are some sites with hookups towards the front of the campground. The camp hosts are attentive and give you warnings when wild animals have been spotted. We did have a black bear run through our site at breakfast one day but it just passed through and didn't bother us. Best local campground close enough to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear.

    Photos
    Dogwood Family Campground - Great place to come with families from our church.

    Great place to come with families from our church.

    Dogwood Family Campground
    Dogwood Family Campground - Our perfect site!

    See all

    Our perfect site!

    Serrano Campground - Site #87

    Serrano Campground

    4.2(252 reviews)
    40.9 mi

    Review 63/365 day challenge…read more Updating my review, 2nd time staying at this campground. We enjoyed it a lot 2 years/2 summers ago and returning 08.13-15.25 for another family summer camping trip. We're at Campground # 28 Campground # 27 is accommodating for disabilities. Which was right across from our campground # 28. #27 had majority all pavement in the campsite. Around the picnic table along they have their own water spout for water use. Also located closest to the restroom/showers, has a pavement road leading up to it for easy access. REMINDER there is no washing dishes sink available on these campgrounds nor can you use the restroom sinks to wash anything. There is a sign that it isn't allowed. So make sure to bring your own water! This time around downfall is the electrical plugs in both of the restrooms, weren't working the 2 nights stay we were there. I asked the associates that were driving around daily regards to the power. They told me it's a hit or miss. Sometimes the power isn't working and there's nothing that can be done to fix it. The downfall. Love the Serrano campground since it's not far from the actual Big Bear village. Still definitely recommend it. Really clean & everyone is respecting each other especially at night.

    You like camping, but don't want to drive 3 to 4 hours away. This campsite is located in the north…read moreshore area of Big Bear Lake. Approximately a 1hour, 40 minutes drive from West Covina. Campsite was very nice, clean & very well kept. Campsite host on site. Our campsite was a double site, #32/33, and was wonderfully beautiful. Restrooms & showers located nearby, plenty of shade spots for tent setup. Numerous hiking trails available, short walk to lake for fishing, (purchase fishing license before you arrive) bike riding, and boat rentals are also offered, but kind of expensive. Must reserve sites, 6 months ahead. We'll definitely come back, maybe annually.

    Photos
    Serrano Campground - Site #90

    Site #90

    Serrano Campground - Campground # 28 08.22.25

    Campground # 28 08.22.25

    Serrano Campground - Site #86

    See all

    Site #86

    North Shore Campground

    North Shore Campground

    3.3(51 reviews)
    26.6 mi

    Very peaceful and relaxing area of the mountains…read more First time visitors as we are here with a group of 18 family and friends. It is a well kept area, clean and quiet dispute all the critters walking around our tent last night including two hollowing ??? About fifty feet away. This is nature after all. Not a big deal to some but for someone that has not camped in over 30 years, I was wide awake most of the night and now, I need a short nap to recharge. Fully recharged after my nap and I am ready to enjoy the this outing once again. We visited this camp ground with a group of eighteen in all and we had a BLAST! We had camp sites 5, 6, 7 and 8. We all had 6-person tents yet had enough room for twenty-tents as our areas combined were HUGE! We played games, bonfires, ate together, used cots, went hiking, visited a public playground less than one mile away and used a zip line, played volleyball and had a picturesque view of Lake Arrowhead. There is also a hospital w/ emergency services directly in front of our camp ground entrance if such services were ever needed. I can definitely see us returning in the near future but for now, the memories we created will stay with us forever.

    Booked this campground for 3 nights, in large part for the hot showers. The showers and bathroom…read morefacilities are frankly disgusting and not something we would us, nor would our friends who were there with us. The staff was rude and provided the typical "we don't provide refunds" when we told them respectfully we we're leaving after the first night. The campground was a wierd mix of what looked liked full-time campers but mostly no one was occupying the sites that there campers and belongings were left at. Post apocalyptic vibe, can you say ghost town. North Shore Campground is a dusty one and done for us. Caveat emptor.

    Photos
    North Shore Campground
    North Shore Campground
    North Shore Campground - Weiners

    See all

    Weiners

    Manker Flats Campground - active - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...