Green Valley Campground
The camp-and-swim combo. 37 sites — 26 reservable, 11 first-come — at $25–56/night (+$8 extra vehicle), open mid-April to mid-October. It's the highest and coolest of the local campgrounds (~7,000 ft), and the only one a mile from a lake you can actually swim in: Green Valley Lake's public beach.
The facts
- Cost
- $25–56/night; +$8/night extra vehicle
- Season
- Mid-April – mid-October
- Sites
- 37 (26 reservable, 11 first-come/first-served)
- Reservations
- Recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777, 6 months out
- Amenities
- Flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings
- Dogs
- Yes, on leash
- Cell coverage
- Weak to none — genuinely unplugged
- Drive to the Village
- ~25 min to Lake Arrowhead Village
Getting there
Green Valley Lake Rd, Green Valley Lake, CA 92341
Get directions →Who it's for
Green Valley is the choice when the point of camping is to feel far away: highest elevation of the local campgrounds (noticeably cooler on August nights — pack a real sleeping bag), weak-to-no cell service, and tiny Green Valley Lake a mile down the road with its public swim beach, trout fishing, and kayak rentals. Among the three area campgrounds it's the only one where 'camp, then walk to a swim' is actually possible.
The town amenities are one general store and a couple of eateries — stock up in Running Springs on the way in.
Booking it
Twenty-six of the 37 sites reserve on Recreation.gov or at (877) 444-6777, bookable months ahead down to 24 hours before; 11 sites are first-come, and they're a much better bet than anything closer to Arrowhead — even summer Saturdays sometimes have space if you show up by mid-morning. Rates run $25–56 plus the standard $8/night extra-vehicle fee.
Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends still book out — reserve if your dates are fixed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim near Green Valley Campground?
Yes — Green Valley Lake's public swim beach is about a mile from camp, open roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day with day passes sold at the beach. It's the only campground in the Lake Arrowhead area with a swimmable lake in walking-ish distance.
Does Green Valley Campground have first-come sites?
Yes, 11 of 37 — the best walk-up odds in the area. Arrive by mid-morning on summer weekends; midweek you'll have your pick.
How cold does it get at Green Valley Campground?
At ~7,000 feet, summer nights regularly drop into the 40s°F and early/late season can freeze. Bring warmer gear than you think a SoCal campground needs.
Facts on this page last verified July 17, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.