North Shore Campground
The hiker's pick. 28 sites — 22 reservable, 6 first-come — at $29–56/night (+$8/night extra vehicle), open April 17 – October 4 for 2026. Flush toilets, no showers. The North Shore Recreation Trail and Little Bear Creek Trail start directly behind camp.
The facts
- Cost
- $29–56/night; +$8/night extra vehicle
- Season
- April 17 – October 4 (2026)
- Sites
- 28 (22 reservable, 6 first-come/first-served)
- Reservations
- Recreation.gov or (909) 336-6717, 6 months out
- Amenities
- Flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, firewood for sale
- Dogs
- Yes, on leash
- Cell coverage
- Decent near camp (close to town)
- Drive to the Village
- ~5 min to Lake Arrowhead Village
Getting there
Hospital Rd off Hwy 173, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
Get directions →Who it's for
North Shore is the closest campground to Lake Arrowhead itself — five minutes from the Village up Hospital Road — and the smallest and quietest of the three, 28 sites tucked into oak and pine. Its killer feature is trail access: the North Shore Recreation Trail and Little Bear Creek Trail both start right behind the campground, so you can hike from your tent without touching the car.
Be clear-eyed about the lake, though: Lake Arrowhead is private, and camping at North Shore does not grant any lake access. Your swim day is at Lake Gregory, about 20 minutes away.
Booking it
Twenty-two sites reserve through Recreation.gov (6 months out to 24 hours ahead) or by phone at (909) 336-6717; six sites stay first-come, first-served — the area's only realistic spontaneous-camping option, best claimed before noon on Fridays in summer. Rates run $29–56 depending on site, plus $8/night for extra vehicles.
Note the parking wrinkle: day-hikers using the trailhead need an Adventure Pass, and campground guests should keep vehicles on their site pad.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk to Lake Arrowhead from North Shore Campground?
It's close to the lake's north shore, but Lake Arrowhead is private — campers get no lake access, no swimming, no shoreline use. The campground's draw is the forest and the two trails out the back.
Does North Shore Campground have first-come sites?
Yes — 6 of its 28 sites are first-come, first-served, the only walk-up option in the immediate Lake Arrowhead area. Arrive Friday morning in summer to have a real shot.
Does North Shore have showers?
No — flush toilets but no showers. Dogwood, 10 minutes west, is the local campground with showers.
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.