Are there bathrooms?

We have portable toilets throughout the Ranch year round. Indoor flush toilets are available May through October.

Are there showers?

Shower buildings throughout the Ranch are available May through October. Only certain ones have working hot water, so make sure to ask your camp host to point those out.

are campfires permitted at the ranch?

Campfires within the provided fire rings are usually permitted at the Ranch. However, during high winds campfires will be not be allowed. During red flag warnings we must prohibit campfires, charcoal grills, propane stoves or anything with an open flame. Do NOT attempt to burn excess food, tea bags, or coffee grounds in a fire. Burning organic matter completely requires a very hot fire - hotter than most campfires. Partially burned matter will attract wildlife to your camp.

Current fire restrictions.

Current weather conditions.

how do i extinguish my campfire?

Fire safety is extremely important to us at the Ranch. There will be water buckets and shovels at your campsite. Make sure your water bucket is full of water BEFORE you start your fire. Extinguish campfires completely before turning in for the night by doing the douse and stir method repeatedly until cool to the touch. Never leave your campfire unattended. We encourage you to watch this short video by the Forest Service on how to properly light and extinguish a fire. Campers who create campfires are personally liable, financially and legally, for any damages from fires that escape. During the winter season (November-April) you will have to bring enough water to extinguish your fire, as no running water is available on site.

is firewood available for purchase on site?

Yes, we do have firewood available for purchase at the Ranch. Ask your camp host for some bundles when you arrive. Cash Only.

Do the campsites have grilling grates?

Some of our fire rings do have grilling grates, while others do not. If you would prefer to have fire ring with a grilling grate, please let us know and we will be sure to reserve a site with that option.

is there potable water on site?

From April to October we have plenty of fresh spring water spigots through the Ranch. We provide water buckets to aid in drowning campfires. You can also use these buckets to carry water back to your campsite for other uses. Unfortunately, we can not currently offer running water from November to April. When the water is shut off, there is a large water tote by the HQ area of camp you can use to refill your water jugs, we recommend treating this water.

how close is the ranch to the lake?

Big Bear Lake is a large recreational and swimmable lake 3 miles from the Ranch, about a 15 minutes drive.

where can we rent water toys?

Captain John's Fawn Harbor Marina in Fawnskin rents kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, power boats, and Sea-Doo personal watercraft to use on Big Bear Lake.

does the ranch offer horseback riding?

We do not yet offer horse experiences on the Ranch. Baldwin Stable, in town is open for trail rides. Please see our ‘Things to do’ page for more information.

are thEre any hiking trails at the ranch or nearby?

Yes, there are plenty of hiking trails both on the Ranch and close by. Check out our ‘Things to do” page for suggestions and maps.

are there any off-roading trails at the ranch or nearby? Are OHV’s allowed on-site?

The surrounding area is fantastic for OHV! See our ‘Things to Do’ page for recommendations of favorite trails close to the Ranch. There are no OHV trails on the Ranch itself as we like to keep the experience quiet for the peaceful enjoyment of all of our guests. While we allow OHV’s to be on-site, they count as one of the allowed vehicles per campsite and must adhere to the speed limit and remain on established roads while on the property. They may not be driven from 8pm to 8am. It is strictly forbidden to ride your vehicles through the forest, meadow or off any established roads on or off property. Please research which of the surrounding forestry roads allow for your vehicle type to be driven on.  Please note, campsites on the west side of the meadow (F, G & H) are partially accessed by a forestry road that does not allow dirt bikes.

are there any tips for getting to the ranch?

Some GPS units may lead you astray so please follow the instructions emailed to you in your welcome packet when you book your stay. Your GPS may suggest you take Van Dusen Canyon Road or Rim of the World Drive, but we strongly recommend taking Polique Canyon, a more direct route to the ranch instead. to the Ranch instead. About 15 minutes (3.5 miles) up Polique Canyon, look for a sign that says “Holcomb Valley Ranch” and turn left here to enter the Ranch!

do i need a special vehiCle to get to the ranch?

The Ranch is located about 3 miles Polique Canyon, a rugged dirt forestry road. This is a forestry road. While an SUVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles may be preferred, it is completely manageable by large RVs and small sedans. Just take it slow and watch out for any ruts, potholes and newly fallen rocks.

is it possible to update my reservation after booking?

Yes, you can log on and make changes to your reservation up until the day you arrive. If you have any issues let us know and we can help you out.

how many campsites are at the ranch?

We have about 40 campsites, each ranging in size from an one to five acres and well distanced from other campsites. Each site has its own fire ring and picnic table.

how close are the campsites?

Our campsites are generously spaced out over 200 acres of the 400 acre Ranch, so you can enjoy plenty of space and privacy.

are there water spigots at the campsite?

Fresh spring water spigots are located throughout the Ranch that and available May to October. They are all easily accessible. If not at the campsite, they are just a short walk.

should i bring a shade structure?

Most of our campsites offer a mix of sun and shade. The sun can feel strong at higher elevations, so if you have a tarp or pop up tent, it doesn’t hurt to bring it.

is there cell reception at the ranch?

Verizon has pretty good cell reception at the Ranch. AT&T has moderate reception. The other cell carriers are a little spotty.

is there wifi at the ranch?

We do not currently have WiFi at the Ranch. Verizon has pretty good cell reception at the Ranch. AT&T has moderate service. Guests who have these carriers may be able to tap into their hot spot for WIFI access.

are there bears at the ranch?

The Ranch is surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest. It is likely there are bears nearby. We encourage our guests to be “Bear Safe” by storing all of their food and cooking supplies in their vehicles, out of sight, with windows completely closed. Never store food in a pickup truck bed or strapped to the outside of a vehicle, and keep all food out of tents. Do NOT attempt to burn excess food, tea bags, or coffee grounds in a campfire. Burning organic matter completely requires a very hot fire- hotter than most campfires. Partially burned matter can still attract bears and other wildlife into your camp.

are there bear boxes at the ranch?

The Ranch does not have Bear Boxes. Be “Bear Safe” by storing all of your food and cooking supplies in your vehicle, out of sight, with windows completely closed. Never store food in a pickup truck bed or strapped to the outside of a vehicle and keep all food out of tents.

what do i do with my trash?

While the local wildlife might enjoy your left-over s’mores, we ask that you please leave your campsite at least as clean as you found it. There is a large dumpster by the entrance gate for your use. Please reference the campground map in the attached PDF package for it’s location, or ask your camp host to point it out when you arrive.

what is the weather like at the ranch?

We encourage guests to check the weather prior to their arrival as mountain weather can quickly change. Summer days are typically fairly hot (75 to 85 degrees) and the evenings can cool down significantly (45 to 55 degrees). For a refreshing reprieve on a hot afternoon, head to Big Bear lake for an afternoon picnic or swim. During the winter season the highs can be anywhere from 40s to 60s and the lows at night usually dip below freezing. Please check the weather before you stay to pack accordingly.

are kids allowed at the ranch?

The Ranch is very kid friendly! There is plenty of space for children to run around, but please keep them supervised at all times.

is there a special rate for kids?

Kids under 10 years old stay for free.

can we bring our bikes?

Bikes are an awesome way to get around and explore the Ranch. Mountain bikes and hybrids are recommended, since there are no paved bike trails on the property. There are also a number of great cross-country and downhill mountain-bike trails in the area and at Big Bear Mountain Resort.

What is your cancellation policy?

Regular Campsites:

Reservations canceled more than 7 days in advance of arrival will incur a $25 fee. Reservations canceled Between 3 and 7 days in advance of arrival will incur a fee of 50% of the reservation stay.

Cancellations made 72 hours before arrival will forfeit any refund.

Group Sites:

Reservations canceled more than 7 days in advance of arrival will incur a $25 fee. Reservations canceled Between 3 and 7 days in advance of arrival will incur a fee of 50% of the reservation stay.

Cancellations made less than 7 days before arrival will forfeit any refund.

Is there a dump station?

We are a dry campground and do not have a dump station on-site. The closest dump station is at Serrano Campground, located about 10 minutes from our property at 40650 N Shore Dr, Fawnskin, CA 92333.

Do you have any recommendations FOR a recreational vehicle service with included vehicle drop offs and pick ups?

We recommend these two:

Adventurervca

Big Bear RV Rentals

Are there any nice hikes right around your property that you would recommend?

There are some wonderful hiking trails within the Ranch and others that are easily accessible from the property. You’re welcome to peruse our welcome package for more information on what to do on and around the Ranch: https://bit.ly/HVRWelcomePackage

What to do in an emergency?

Holcomb Valley Ranch is a rural property in the mountains. There is very little cellular phone reception and no internet service which makes communication in an emergency difficult. As with any other trip into the backcountry, prepare yourself for emergencies such as injury, sickness, vehicle malfunction, etc. Guests are advised to bring their own first aid kits and to be prepared in how to respond in case of an emergency. Please notify the Ranch Manager of any incidents.

The nearest urgent care facility is: Bear Mountain Family Medicine Urgent Care,41949 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

The nearest 24 hour urgent care is: Rapid Care Urgent Care, 10841 White Oak Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.

The nearest animal hospital is: VCA Lakeside Animal Hospital, 42160 N Shore Dr, Big Bear, CA 92314.

The nearest animal hospital with extended hours is: Emergency Pet Hospital of Redlands, 2072 W Redlands Blvd, Redlands, CA 92373.

Fires and Immediate threats to life and safety—Immediately Dial 9-1-1 (If you do not have service the Ranch Manager can assist you).

To report all other activities, call the local ranger station during business hours at (909) 382-2600 or after hours at (909) 383-5654.

We continue to work hard to make Holcomb Valley Ranch awesome! And we are very appreciative of guest feedback. If there are some questions we’ve missed, please reach out to us! It’s likely that someone else will have the same questions as well. We will make the effort to add your question and answer here.