Popular Idyllwild Park, located on the perimeter of the eclectic mountain village of Idyllwild, boasts 202 acres of beautiful open space, mature forest and breathtaking hiking trails. Idyllwild is a perfect venue for reconnecting with family, friends, nature, and the slower pace of small town mountain life.
Idyllwild Park’s day use area offers a shaded meadow for picnicking and group outings, serving as a pleasant base for hikers, climbers, and explorers. Guests may hike any of the five trails that offer breathtaking scenery and panoramic views. For more adventurous outdoor enthusiasts, enormous granite boulders offer some of the best rock climbing challenges around. The park’s rustic but well-tended campground has 88 lovely forested campsites, each with fire ring and picnic table as well as close proximity to restrooms and showers. Guests may also enjoy group camping offered nearby at RivCoPark's Lawler Lodge and Lawler Alpine Cabins.
Park Brochure
Day Use Hours
8 a.m. to Sunset┃Daily
Camp Hours
8 a.m. to Sunset┃Sunday-Thursday
8 a.m. to 10 p.m.┃Friday-Saturday & Night before Holiday
Thank you!
*Please note fee changes effective August 1, 2024
Camping: $30-35 per night.
Day use: $6 per adult and $3 per child (12 and younger)..
See our Holiday Fee Schedule for Holiday Vehicle Fees.
Current license, registration, and insurance is required when camping. For more information, please contact Guest Services.
Does Idyllwild Park have adequately paved paths to accommodate persons with limited mobility?
Yes, sites 1 & 23 are paved for access.
What is the majority of the Day Use land like? (Paved, grassy, gravel, sandy, flat, bumpy, etc.)
We have a flat shaded area and a beautiful meadow that is bumpy and covered with grasses. Day use cannot be reserved and is first come, first served.
How shaded is the Day Use area? Are there many shade trees in heavily trafficked areas?
The area is heavily shaded with mature trees.
What types of trails are within the park for walking, hiking, biking, or horse riding?
We have a number of trails that loop around the park, linking us with the Nature Center. They range from flat to moderate climb. Bicycles are not allowed on these trails.
How many playgrounds are in the park?
No playgrounds (despite the name of the road).
Is there water in the creek year-round, and are campers allowed to swim/wade/enter the running water?
The creek runs approx. 6 months of the year – January through June – and it is deep enough to wade in. Some sites are closer to the creek than others (see map).
What activities are available in Idyllwild Park?
Camping, hiking, picnicking, Nature Center.
How many shade structures/shelters are available in the park? How many picnic tables are under each?
No shelters, just trees. There are approximately 20 picnic tables in the day-use area.
Does Idyllwild Park have an on-site store?
No store on site, though we do sell firewood. There is a fully stocked grocery market ½ mile walk (or drive) into town.
Which campsites have the best shade?
Most sites have very good shade; there are a few that have limited shade. There are tall forest trees throughout the park.
Which sites offer some level of privacy?
15, 30, 41, 50, 83 - 20/21 & 43/44 have moderate seclusion if booked together – none of these sites offer complete privacy.
Which sites are best for tent camping?
All of our sites may be used for tent camping.
Are there any exceptions to the 2 vehicle/2 tent maximum?
One extra vehicle may be allowed for an additional $5 charge. We do not restrict to 2 tents, but this does not change the limit of 6 people per campsite.
Do all sites have a BBQ/fire ring and picnic table?
All sites have a fire ring and a picnic bench. Designated disabled sites (1, 23, 39) have a BBQ.
Is there a dump station available to campers on-site? If not, where is the nearest?
Yes, dump station available
What time are entry gates locked? Are campers able to exit and re-enter the park at any time?
No gates. Campers may leave and re-enter with their park registration tag.
What information is needed when registering into a campsite?
Standard information required from all campers, reservations or not: name, address, driver’s license #, vehicle registration, number of people camping, dogs, etc.
What non-911 emergency numbers should campers have available?
Auto Club # is posted at the booth, along with local towing company. Non-emergency sheriff dispatch is 1-800-950-2444.
How far away is the nearest grocery store and gas station?
“Mom & Pop” market and gas station, 2-minute drive (1/2 mile walk). Bigger stores are in Hemet or Banning, about 30-40 minutes down the hill.
What other activities are there in the area, such as trails, movies, historical/natural sites, etc.?
Idyllwild Nature Center, hiking trails, climbing and bouldering, mountain biking. Movie Theater, dining and shopping in town. Snow sledding is popular when weather conditions permit.
What sorts of animals/wildlife are common in the park?
Squirrels (gray, ground, and chipmunks), deer, raccoons, rattlesnakes, many birds.
What precautions should be taken to avoid unpleasant encounters with wild animals?
Don’t leave food out. Notify rangers about rattlesnakes or other dangerous animals and leave them alone.
Are there any animals that don’t belong in the park, and how should they be reported?
Because of the wilderness atmosphere and presence of wild animals, it is better to leave small animals that might wander off at home. Any pets brought into the park must be leashed AT ALL TIMES.
Is there anything else important to your park that we should know?
Quiet hour begins at 10:00 p.m. / No events may be scheduled in the amphitheater. / No fireworks or firearms, including BB guns and slingshots.
