Pineknot Family Campground near Big Bear Lake temporarily closed, reason unknown

Pineknot Family Campground, a popular Forest Service site tucked in the fir, pine, and oak forest above Big Bear Lake, is listed as temporarily closed on the USDA Forest Service recreation page — with no explanation of the reason, duration, or impact on existing reservations[1].

The campground sits at 6,900 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains and offers 47 reservable sites[1]. Because it operates entirely on a reservation basis — there are no walk-up, first-come/first-served spots — campers who booked ahead through Recreation.gov may be left wondering whether their trip is still on and how to get a refund if it isn't[1].

The Forest Service page lists the campground's operating season as April 18 through October 18, 2025, though those dates appear to be carried over from the prior season and may not reflect current 2026 conditions[1].

Big Bear News reached out to San Bernardino National Forest public affairs for comment on the closure reason and timeline but had not received a response by publication time.

What to do if you have a reservation: Contact Recreation.gov directly or call 1-877-444-6777 to check your booking status or inquire about cancellations[1]. Check the Forest Service recreation page for updates before heading up.