Buttercup Group Campground is a reservable group site in the San Bernardino National Forest, located on the south side of Big Bear Lake near Snow Summit Ski Resort. Situated at roughly 7,000 feet elevation among towering pine trees, the shaded and secluded site accommodates up to 40 people and 8 vehicles, making it a solid option when you’re trying to coordinate a camping trip with other dog owners.

The setup here is straightforward and functional. You get five picnic tables, a double pedestal grill, a group fire ring, vault toilets, and drinking water. It’s the kind of basic infrastructure that works well for groups who want to cook together and share a central gathering space. The surrounding forest is dense with ponderosa pines, so you’ll have plenty of shade even in summer.

As a National Forest campground, leashed dogs are generally permitted at Buttercup, which removes one major logistics headache when organizing a group camping trip. The forest around the campground has direct access to hiking and mountain biking trails, and Big Bear Lake itself is right there if your group wants to fish or bring a boat. The elevation means it stays cool even when the valley is scorching.

The campground typically opens mid-April and runs through early October, so timing matters if you’re planning off-season. Reservations go through Recreation.gov, where you can book as little as 24 hours ahead depending on availability. Nightly rates for the group site run between $149 to $159. Check-in happens at 2 p.m., so plan your arrival accordingly if you’re coming from lower elevation and want to set up before dark. Given the forest setting and proximity to the lake, this spot works particularly well for groups that want a quieter alternative to the more developed campgrounds around Big Bear.