Outdoor World Campground was a popular family campground located in San Bernardino County, California. It offered RV and tent camping sites with hookups and amenities in a scenic mountain setting. However, in recent years, Outdoor World Campground has closed down permanently due to a combination of factors.
A Brief History of Outdoor World Campground
Outdoor World Campground first opened in the 1980s as a privately owned campground catering to RVs and campers. It was situated off Highway 18 in the San Bernardino National Forest, providing convenient access to hiking trails, fishing lakes, and other outdoor recreational activities.
With shady campsites and amenities like showers, laundry, and a general store, Outdoor World became a favorite for families, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoyed camping in comfort. It grew steadily in popularity over the decades, expanding to over 100 sites.
During its heyday in the 1990s and early 2000s, Outdoor World Campground hosted campers from across California and beyond. It provided a wooded mountain escape from urban life that kept campers coming back year after year.
Decline and Eventual Closure of Outdoor World Campground
In the late 2000s, Outdoor World Campground began experiencing a slow decline for several reasons:
Changing Ownership and Management
The original owners who opened and managed Outdoor World for many years eventually retired and sold the campground. It changed hands multiple times between different owners and management companies over the next decade.
Long-time campers felt the new owners did not maintain the same level of upkeep and guest services. Lack of consistent management likely contributed to further issues down the line.
Competition from Other Campgrounds
As Outdoor World declined, newer campgrounds with updated amenities opened nearby. These competitor sites better appealed to younger campers and RVers looking for the latest facilities.
Without continued investments into the property, Outdoor World looked increasingly dated compared to shiny new campgrounds catering to today’s tent and RV campers. It struggled to attract families and newer generations of outdoor enthusiasts.
Damage from Forest Fires
San Bernardino National Forest suffered from multiple devastating wildfires over the years. The Pilot Fire in 2008 burned over 6,000 acres in the San Bernardino Mountains near Outdoor World Campground.
While the campground infrastructure luckily survived that fire, it led to erosion and flood risks in the area after vegetation holding the soil was burned away. Further fires in 2015 and 2016 came even closer to Outdoor World, causing partial closures, damage, smoke, and falling ash.
Drought Conditions and Tree Disease
Extended droughts in California impacted the region’s forests and campgrounds. Lack of moisture weakened trees near Outdoor World, causing diseased pines to become infested with bark beetles. Many trees dried out and had to be cut down for safety reasons.
This deforestation and fire damage transformed the once shady campground into a less forested setting. The aesthetics and wooded ambiance that originally drew campers to Outdoor World was diminished.
Financial Struggles
All the factors above led to fewer campers choosing to stay at Outdoor World compared to its heyday. Diminished bookings made it difficult for the campground owners to justify investing in upgrades and continued high maintenance costs.
The downward spiral of declining camper numbers and increasing operation costs ultimately led the last owners of Outdoor World Campground to cease operations permanently.
Final Closure Announcement of Outdoor World Campground
In September 2018, the owners of Outdoor World Campground announced it would be closing for good before the year ended. Reservations were no longer accepted. They cited years of deteriorating conditions and insufficient funds to revitalize the dated property.
The last campers stayed at Outdoor World in October 2018. The campground did not reopen for the 2019 season. All guest facilities were shuttered, and the property sat vacant.
By 2020, all infrastructure like lighting and campground signs had been removed. The former sites at Outdoor World Campground were empty with no indications the campground would ever reopen.
It marked the sad end of what was once a beloved family campground for generations who enjoyed camping under its tall pines. The closure left many campers with fond memories of Outdoor World but nowhere to enjoy its hospitality anymore.
Why the Closure of Outdoor World Campground Matters
While just one of many campgrounds in the vast San Bernardino National Forest region, the permanent shuttering of Outdoor World marked the loss of a historic camping property. For 30+ years, it served as the base for countless unforgettable vacations and experiences connecting families and nature.
Its convenient location near hiking trails and fishing lakes can no longer be enjoyed by the camping public. These kinds of access points to the outdoors are dwindling as campgrounds face pressures from fires, drought, and changing generational trends in camping.
The story of Outdoor World reflects wider issues of maintaining recreation infrastructure on public lands. Campgrounds require constant upkeep and investment to stay viable as environmental conditions and customer preferences evolve. Letting them decline through neglect can permanently close off places people enjoy engaging with nature.
Public awareness of the factors behind campground closures like Outdoor World can hopefully encourage proactive solutions. Managing forests and campground amenities sustainably for future generations remains an important issue.
Efforts to Replace Outdoor World Campground
While Outdoor World will likely sit abandoned or be repurposed for other land uses, there have been some efforts to establish replacement campgrounds nearby:
- The San Bernardino National Forest Service conducted surveys after Outdoor World’s closure to assess demand for a new campground in the area catering to modern RV and tent campers. Proposals for installing upgraded amenities received positive feedback.
- Private campground operators have shown interest in developing a new privately run campground near the original site of Outdoor World, though no final plans have been approved yet.
- A volunteer group called Friends of Outdoor World formed after the closure. They advocate for re-establishing a public campground to replace Outdoor World using a combination of volunteer efforts and public funding.
- Local environmental groups promote dispersed camping in the national forest as an alternative. They encourage low-impact tent camping outside of formal campgrounds to reduce development and costs while still allowing access.
For now, Outdoor World remains closed with no definitive replacement. But its closure has focused attention on the importance of sustaining camping options on public lands for all to enjoy. Any future campgrounds in the area have examples of both what to emulate and what pitfalls to avoid so that campers can continue enjoying the San Bernardino Mountains for generations to come.
FAQs About the Closure of Outdoor World Campground
What year did Outdoor World Campground close?
Outdoor World Campground permanently closed in autumn 2018 after announcing it would cease operations that same year. The last guests stayed in October 2018, after which the campground was shuttered.
Why did Outdoor World Campground close down?
A combination of factors led to its closure after 30+ years of operation, including changing ownership, increased competition from newer campgrounds, damage from forest fires, drought/disease weakening the forest, and ultimately financial struggles of the last owners.
What replaced Outdoor World Campground?
As of 2022, no official replacement campground has been built to take the place of Outdoor World. There are proposals for new public and private campgrounds nearby, but nothing definitive yet. The National Forest Service also promotes dispersed camping as an alternative.
Could Outdoor World Campground reopen in the future?
It’s unlikely Outdoor World will ever reopen at this stage since all its infrastructure has been removed. Any new campground would require completely rebuilding from scratch. There’s a small chance a new investor could reuse the original name, but the original campground is gone.
What happens to closed campgrounds like Outdoor World?
Unused campgrounds usually fall into disrepair as vegetation overtakes old sites and buildings decay without maintenance. They may be repurposed for other recreational uses like picnic areas or hiking trails. In some cases, the land is sold and developed for commercial use if not in protected forests.
Are many campgrounds closing recently?
Campground closures have increased in regions like California due to factors like wildfires, drought, insect infestations, and changing recreation trends. However, new campgrounds are also opening in response to high demand. It illustrates the need to continually invest in recreation infrastructure.
The Future of Camping in the San Bernardino Mountains
While losing storied campgrounds like Outdoor World is always unfortunate, there are still many scenic mountain campgrounds welcoming RVs, tent campers, and groups throughout the San Bernardino National Forest:
Developed Campgrounds
Well-equipped campgrounds like Heart Bar, Pineknot, and Pine Flat offer defined campsites, toilets, food lockers, and fire rings for convenient forest camping. These are ideal for novice campers and RVs.
Backcountry Camping Sites
Dispersed backcountry camping is allowed in much of the forest. Experienced backpackers can pitch a tent in remote settings and enjoy the solitude of nature away from defined campgrounds. Permits are required.
Private Campground Alternatives
Private campgrounds like Canyon RV Park and Pinezanita provide additional camping options in the San Bernardino Mountains outside the National Forest Service system. These offer activities like pools and laundry service.
Cabin Rentals
For a roof over your head and amenities like electricity, places like Lake Arrowhead Cabin Rentals offer beautiful mountain cabin rentals of varying sizes to accommodate groups and families.
Glamping Options
Glamping (glamorous camping) with upscale amenities is an increasingly popular trend. Bernardino-area glamping sites like Glen Eden Sun Club provide safari tents, cottages, and teepees with luxurious touches while still in the outdoors.
No matter your camping style, there are many ways to continue enjoying the pine forests, fresh mountain air, and starry nights of the San Bernardinos. Respecting nature through sustainable campground management will keep these lands pristine for future generations of campers.
Conclusion
The permanent closure of Outdoor World Campground marked the end of an era for a beloved mountain retreat that gave campers cherished memories across its 30+ year history.
Though changing times and circumstances led to its decline and shuttering, the spirit of Outdoor World lives on in those who camped under its tall pines and cool mountain breezes. Its fate provides important lessons in sustaining our recreation infrastructure and forest resources.
By taking care of both the environment and designated campgrounds through wise management, we can continue making priceless experiences possible in the San Bernardino National Forest. Supporting sustainable camping ensures these public lands retain their wild essence so more families can keep making memorable outdoor memories for decades to come.