Secluded/NF Camping Near Idyllwild

Can anyone recommend a spot to camp within reasonable driving distance of Tahquitz/Suicide that would be away from other campers? Rustic is fine, free would be great. Would rather drive a little longer in order to be in a secluded spot.

Any specific recommendations from (recent) locals would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Brigette

I've car camped up by the South Ridge trail on a Labor Day weekend with no else up there. It's a great spot. I don't think you need a high clearance vehicle but I had one.

Haven't been there for years, we used to camp south east of Town.

Take the highway south like you would go to San Diego but then turn left on the road that's the back way down to Palm Springs. There's a private campground as I recall after that it's all FS land. We took the first dirt right I believe.

You can also get there directly by getting off at the right exit for the back road. It's a longer and more scenic route.

I second South Ridge

I third south ridge.

i take my jetta to south ridge, or i did. there is one section that aint too easy with a low-rider. although i did see a car at south ridge trail head a month ago, it was also missing parts of its front end. it was funny!!! so, until it gets graded again, which i hope it don't, it is easier to get to the trail head with a high clearance vehicle...

there is a great bivy, with a good view, just before the bumpy section, that a civic could get to.

southridge's dirt road has significantly worsened since last season. I wouldn't take anything without decent clearance up that road now. It's gotten to the point now where people who dont know how to drive on steep dirt roads will inevitably make it worse with ruts and cuttin their tires loose going up hill. Tread lightly!

and the local teenagers love tearing up that road too. not a whole lot to do in idyllwild if you're just a regular kid looking for some good fun...

south ridge is a great placer to camp. just don't camp at the trailhead. hang a right just before you get there and go find a good spot to bivy down the road. and every now and then, be prepared to listen to teenagers party all night long. better yet, go join the fun... i have stumbled accross a few keggers up there, and as long as you can drink swill, every event has been welcoming.

Boulder Basin at the top of Black's Mountain is awesome. Popular with the bouldering crowd. The site can get busy though especially on the upper ridge. Lower sites are usually pretty empty on an average weekend. There are around 35 site I think. Lots of trails big boulders to climb and also a fire look out tower you can hike up to and go up in when it's open. If that is still to busy for you they do have yellow post sites further down the road. You will most likely see no one at these sites other than an occasional car looking for firewood or going to the ridge trail head. The one set back is a lot of the time fires are not allowed at the yellow post sites.

The road up to South Ridge is easily passable with a vehicle without high ground clearance. Take the Saunders Meadow Road from Hwy 243 in Idyllwild and turn left on Pine Avenue. Continue to a right turn on Tahquitz View Drive, then a right onto a dirt road at the sign for South Ridge Trail. The camping is primitive, with no water, no toilets, and no showers.

why do people bump this once a year?

bump - because I was just looking for this info myself. Talked to the guys at Nomad Ventures and they recommended the South Ridge area. Will report back on road conditions (taking my very low clearance Civic up there).

I drove up there this morning. The road was great. I drive a honda fit. You're good to go.

For anyone searching for directions and coming across this thread, here is what helped us:

Take a left at the elementary school on to a road called "Saunders Meadow," then a left on "Pine Ave," then a right onto "Tahquitz View(?)," and then right before the road turns into a dirt road, there's a right turn onto a another dirt road that is marked by a sign for "South Ridge" that we missed trying to find at night.

Some of the camping areas (marked by yellow posts) have benches and a fire pit, but not all. There is tons of space with a lot of flat ground.

And as Jubalee mentioned, the road is fine for low clearance vehicles, at least as of June 2014.

Has anyone been up to South Ridge this year? How is the road? I never had a problem getting my Honda Fit in there in past years, but I don't know if conditions have changed. Thanks!

We went up before the last two big rains and it would be okay for a lower clearance vehicle with an intelligent driver. After the last two rains I am not so sure....

There are also yellow post sites, and other primitive camping, at Cowbell Alley fire control road. Stay on Saunders Meadow road passing the left turn to South Ridge. Look for Cowbell Alley road on your left 1/4 mile beyond SR turn. Turn left when Cowbell Alley road goes dirt. Please follow fire ban rules while here. A fire on this mountain will likely burn down my town and home. Please respect.

It's been a while since anyone posted, so I'll awaken the conversation. I live in Menifee and looking to find a mountain camping spot with a lot of peace and quiet around Idyllwild. I know there is no guarantee but it would be so nice to listen to the wind in the trees and birds instead of "boom boom boom" of someone's music or traffic. (I can get that all at home, lol!)

We have a Jeep Cherokee small SUV with 4WD so the dirt roads are not a big issue unless they are really rough. We can bring our own porta potty so no bathrooms is preferred (there's always that camper that has to announce they are going to the bathroom as they walk through the campground ◔_◔

What IS in issue is my nerves so I'll pass on narrow roads with drop offs.

Anyone have good experience with remote, peaceful, yellow post sites? We may go out tomorrow exploring with a picnic lunch to scope out a few locations.

Thank you!

My experience is weekend nights up there at yellow post can be loud and full of people. If you take your time to search around during daylight  you should be able to find something off the beaten path, and more tranquil. Good luck

Nearby Thomas Mountain has some great yellow post sites with amazing views of Garner Valley, Lake Hemet and the surrounding area.

As a bonus there are some good mountain biking and hiking trails and the roads are easily passable in a sedan if driven carefully.

Lots of great secluded places on the West side of 74 looking toward Idyllwild. Just take the dirt roads over Thomas Mountain, into the OHV area, etc. - lots of little places to camp for the night and no people.