Big Bear Lake offers a mix of campgrounds with both reservation-based and first-come, first-served camping options. Some campgrounds, like Holcomb Valley and Yellow Post Sites, operate on a first-come, first-served basis. However, it's always a good idea to make a reservation in advance for popular campgrounds like Serrano and Pineknot to guarantee a spot. You can learn more about Big Bear Lake camping options on Hipcamp.