Condon Peak Campground

BLM's Central Coast Field Office manages Condon Peak Campground in the California Coast Range east of Coalinga, where a rocky gravel road and a moderately steep grade near the entrance keep the site count low and the crowds sparse. The campground has roughly five or six developed sites, each with a covered picnic shelter, a gravel vehicle pad, and a fire ring. Sites are spaced well apart, giving campers room without placing them on top of each other. No running water is available on-site, and the single vault toilet has received mixed marks for cleanliness, though reviewers have noted adequate toilet paper and no trash accumulation.

Road conditions vary by season and recent maintenance. A Ford Transit van handled the approach without difficulty after a recent grading, but the packed gravel surface and ruts can challenge larger RVs. Tent campers should note that the vehicle pads are hard-packed and can bend tent stakes; softer ground exists toward the site edges. Biting insects have been reported at times, so bug spray is worth packing. Verizon coverage is essentially nonexistent in the area, with some T-Mobile signal available at the campground. Jade Mill Campground sits roughly six miles to the northwest for those comparing nearby options along the same corridor.

"Beautiful views, cooling winds and don't seem to be any biting bugs," notes Helen F. from a late-summer visit, a reminder that conditions shift noticeably across seasons. Off-road vehicle use is common here, and several hiking trails provide alternatives on foot. The campground is open year-round at $6 to $20 per night, and pets are welcome. Campers comfortable with no-water, no-service conditions will find this a workable base for exploring the Coast Range.