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Louisa's avatar
Louisa
Explorer
Apr 27, 2013

Nice parks around Riverside, San Bernardino?

We have medical issues that leave us with limited reserves, but are going to try to take our rig (43' class A, with a tow)from Chula Vista, CA to Las Vegas (and from there to my dream of returning to Yellowstone), taking 215 from Chula Vista to 15 north. We hope to stop to rest one or two nights somewhere the Inland Empire--say around Riverside-San Bernardino--one that's (in order of priority) 1. safe, 2. nice, 3. hopefully has pull throughs.

We live in Indio but have never had occasion to search for a park in that area. Does anyone know of a nice place to stay?
  • Another approach is to be dynamic and plan as you drive. Among other things we have 3 smart phone apps.
    1. Trailer Life
    2. Woodall's
    3. AllStays

    All 3 should help. AllStays leads the pack IMHO. There is also rvreviews.com.
  • Retired from Temecula. Stay at Pechanga. Lake Skinner does have a nice campground, but is well known for locals partying on weekends. Same with Lake Perris. No enforcement of quiet hours. Hemet has some, but the crime rate has skyrocketed recently. If you want to push it and go over Cajon Pass to the Apple Valley/Hesperia area, Desert Willow is not bad. Especially if you are coming from Chula Vista RV resort, you'll appreciate Pechanga. What ever you do, get past Escondido before the afternoon commute back into IE. Traffic is horrible!
  • Rancho Jurupa gets our vote. It is a county park and a passport america park. There are two sections; the oldest part has dirt pads and mature trees. The newer section (away from the lake) has concrete pads, FHUs and the sites are really, really wide. In addition to the fishing lake, they also have a water feature for the kiddies and a putt, putt golf course within the park as well as paved walking trails. We have stayed there multiple times;always in the new section; especially when have work done on our rig at the Camping World in San Bernardino.

    It is close to the Mission Inn in the old downtown area.

    Do contact them before you make reservation just as a precaution. This week the Jurupa Valley did have wildland fire issues.

    Good luck
  • Check out the Mission Inn downtown Riverside. Very cool old building.
  • I've stayed at both Jurupa and Skinner. Both very good parks! Bring a fishing pole at either!
  • We will look them up. Thank you both for you kindnesses.
  • Just stayed at Prado Regional Park in Chino Hills,a nice place and cheaper than most places in the LA area.Nice pull thru spots most 90ft or more
    you can stay 2 weeks and on weekly you get 7 days for the price of 6.

    Maximum stay 14 days within any 30-day period, excluding special events.

    Non-refundable camping reservation fee - $7.00
    With hookups $ 35.00/unit/night Holidays and special event weekends $45.00 (two night minimum)
    Weekly rate is 6 times the appropriate daily rate (or one night free with each 7 night stay)
    Per Person Over 4 per Camping Unit $5.00/person/night
    Established Youth Groups: $5.00/person
    Plus a senior discount!!

    Prado Dam
    See online reservation at bottom of page.
  • Never actually camped in the area, but here's a 03/25/13 Post on the Subject.

    March Air Force Base (Riverside) has a FamCamp, if you qualify to use them. Such as Retired Military. It's an Air Force Reserve Base. :C March FamCamp seems to offer all you are asking @ $17 a night.

    Just found this: Rancho Jurupa Park - A Riverside County Park

    Several Riverside County Parks with camping it seems. Park Descriptions I didn't realize how large Riverside County is. All the way to Blythe, Wow.

    Might be the only one for you: "Rancho Jurupa Park is situated along the Santa Ana River and is located near charming downtown Riverside just seven miles South of Mission Boulevard on Crestmore Road. Flourishing cottonwood trees, gorgeous meadows, and two lovely 3-acre lakes surround this beautiful park."

    However, Lake Skinner Rec't Area might work as well. "Nestled in the hills of Winchester, Lake Skinner is only a few miles east of the Temecula Wineries and within easy access of Interstates 15 and 215." Oophs, After looking at a map, not so close to Riverside at all.

    Good Luck with your Quest of Returning to Yellowstone.

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