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Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground

12 ReviewsAdd Review

Drive-up sites and an honor system check-in make Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground accessible for last-minute camping trips near Los Angeles. Located at elevation in the Angeles National Forest, this established campground operates on first-come, first-serve basis with campers filling out paperwork at the entrance station.

Most sites accommodate two vehicles with side-by-side parking, though single sites provide more space between neighbors. Reviewers consistently mention the campground's cleanliness, with well-maintained bathrooms and fire pits in good condition. Water pumps operate seasonally, and campers report finding at least one working pump during their visits. The campground features two loops, both offering similar amenities including picnic tables and fire rings.

Temperature swings characterize the mountain environment, with Cassandra F. noting arrivals in "late afternoon" may find "only spots had zero shade." Early arrivals secure shaded sites more easily. September visitors report daily highs near 79 degrees dropping to nighttime lows in the mid-50s. Cell phone reception reaches the campground, though coverage varies by carrier.

Crowds fluctuate seasonally, with summer months bringing higher occupancy than fall and winter periods. Stacy C. calls it the "best place in angeles forest for a great weekemd getaway," while others prefer less crowded alternatives. The campground allows pets and provides hookups at select sites. Access to Pacific Crest Trail and other forest hiking requires driving from the campground.

The location works well for campers wanting maintained facilities without extensive backcountry travel, particularly those seeking a convenient overnight stop from urban areas.

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Location

Public Campground

Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

In La Canada, CA, at the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Hwy. (State Rt. 2), take Rt. 2 east 25.6 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign and go 0.1 miles to a "Y" intersection Bear left for Little Pine Loop or right, continuing another 0.6 miles to Manzanita Loop on the left.

Coordinates

34.32378562 N
118.01667882 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites

Drive Time

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

12 Reviews

Guests commonly noted clean facilities and well-maintained sites with good spacing near LA. Most visitors found helpful staff and honor system check-in convenient, though busy periods can impact the experience.

Hunter T.
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2022

Just meh

We decided to give this spot a try since we were in the area. It was very busy as we expected. We found the site to be just average. Probably won’t come back. There is nothing wrong with it we just prefer to camp in more remote spots that are off the beaten trail.

Site31
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Hunter T., July 31, 2022
Gloria L.
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2021

Hostile Campers and Unhelpful Rangers

I set my chair up in either camping spot number 16,17 or 19. A young man and a women in a white jeep took my camping spot. The man got out of his car, he threw my Helinox chair into the bushes, and then he tried to run me over with his jeep despite me yelling repeatedly to stop. He didnt stop until my husband came to stop it. Terrible experience. When i reported to the two park rangers, one of the old white blonde park rangers interrogated ME. It felt racial. Wow. Never going back again.

Stacy C.
Reviewed Nov. 23, 2020

Awesome campground

Best place in angeles forest for a great weekemd getaway. First come first serve. 2 loop campgrounds either one is good. Great view all around. Definitely will return..

C
Reviewed Jul. 22, 2020

Nice but no shade

Nice spot if you don’t want to drive far. Fantastic views. Get there early to get a spot with shade...we arrived in the late afternoon and the only spots had zero shade. It was so hot!! Sites are relatively private and pets allowed.

  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Cassandra F., July 22, 2020
k
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2020

Local Getaway

OKAY... seriously this one of the best campgrounds near Los Angeles. My ultimate go to spot for an overnight camping trip. I have spent Thanksgiving here, Valentines Day, and multiple three day weekends. It's the perfect spot for beginner outdoor enthusiasts. It's such a short and easy drive for LA, and the drive up campspots are always in great condition. The site also has bathrooms, firepit, picnic tables, and other commodities. Paying for camping isn't my favorite thing to do, but it's well worth the money for the proximity to Los Angeles and maintenance of the area. There are also great hikes with in the National Forest and access to the PCT but you do have to drive. I don't usually spend time at this site besides cooking and camping.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SPOT FOR CASUAL/FUN/CHILL/BEGINNER/FAMILY camping.

Hanns B.
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2019

Great Weekender

Tried to stay at buckhorn but it was packed and everyone was on top of each other so on the search we Went and found chilao on accident campsites Are well kept plenty of room to make you feel like your alone

  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Hanns B., August 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Hanns B., August 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Hanns B., August 8, 2019
  • (7) View All
Amairani P.
Reviewed Apr. 16, 2019

Great stay!

We were told that the water pumps were off but actually managed to camp right next to the one that was working. The bathrooms were super clean too! Really liked this campground and would definitely recommend

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Amairani P., April 16, 2019
Dora O.
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2018

relaxing

restrooms were clean! trees on campgrounds perfect to relax in your hammock 🤗

  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Dora O., August 4, 2018
  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Dora O., August 4, 2018
Dan D.
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2018

quiet, peaceful, pretty

went up with a friend for quick overnight trip-rangers were super helpful and campsite was nice. facilities were also clean. bonus for being so close to LA!

note: cell phone reception there, be warned!

Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2017

Ranger Review: ColdPruf Honeycomb Mock Zip at Chilao Campground

Campground review: We reserved our campground in the early afternoon on Friday, expecting it to be busy as usual. There were plenty of spots though, much less crowded than during the summer months. Less than half the campsite was full by morning. We were able to get one of the single sites, which was nice. Many of the sites have side-by-side parking, so you usually are very near to your neighboring campsite.

Even though the daily high was 79 degrees, the low at night was 56, and it was still only 61 degrees by 7 am.

Gear review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products every now and then, and on this trip, I purposefully packed my ColdPruf clothing for the nighttime. While camping, I wore the women's Honeycomb Mock Zip top (in teal) and Zehphyr Leggings (in plum). Both items were size small. I usually wear x-small, as I'm petite 5'1", but I also have a pretty athletic build. The top fit perfectly, so I'm glad I got a small and that it fit my shoulders comfortable. The leggings fit a little more loosely, but mainly because they were a little long for my legs. They looks super stylish regardless, so I love them. I was so glad I had both these items on the trip, because they kept me sufficiently warm at night without requiring me to wear an additional outer layer.

The Honeycomb Mock Zip has this awesome texture to it that functionally keeps you very warm, but also gives the fabric a more interesting look for style. The lime zipper gives a nice splash of color too. The zipper goes about 1/3 down the top. One key thing I like about the zipper is that is purposefully sewn with fabric behind it, so that the zipper is never pressing directly against your skin. Very soft fabric, not at all irritating, like some other warm-wear. The thumbholes in the sleeves make it extra cozy, and keep your knuckles warm. The product claims to be designed for "odor control," and I must say, I was pretty impressed to find that this top didn't smell at all when I unpacked from our trip, despite the fact that had worn it while plenty sweaty and smelly. Nice!

The Zehphyr Leggings are nice because they can be worn for layering or on their own. I wore them both ways during the trip. They are comfortable enough to sleep in, so they work well as pajama bottoms. The mesh stripes effectively allowed ventilation such sweat and moisture didn't stay on my skin, while still keeping the warmth in. I find that many other leggings don't breath as well, so I'm happy to have found something that keeps me both warm and dry. The only feature I would change is that I wish the waist band would have more length to it.

Site9
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Les R., September 10, 2017
  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Les R., September 10, 2017
  • Review photo of Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground by Les R., September 10, 2017
  • (6) View All
M
Reviewed Sep. 9, 2017

A great time at Chilao Campgrounds

My girlfriend and I had to find a last minute campsite, so we start driving up the 2 in hopes of finding one. We ran into Chilao campgrounds first, and signing in and paying was all based on the honor system. We filled out the paperwork in the front and stayed the night with no problems. The site was clean, the firepit was in good condition, and we had enough space for two vehicles. Bathrooms were decent and we had plenty of space, plus a picnic table. We would definitely come here again if we were in the area!

Month of VisitSeptember
Showing results 1-12 of 12 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make reservations at Chilao Campground?

Chilao Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations accepted. When you arrive, you'll find an honor system payment process where you complete paperwork at the entrance. The campground can fill quickly during summer and holiday weekends, so arriving early is your best strategy for securing a spot. Even during off-peak times, arriving in the early afternoon on Fridays gives you better site options, particularly if you're looking for a spot with good shade.

Is Chilao Campground currently open for visitors?

Yes, Chilao Campground is open for visitors and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground features two separate loop areas with multiple sites. It's particularly popular during summer months and holiday weekends, so arriving early is recommended if you're planning a visit during peak times. For the most current status information, especially during winter months or following severe weather events, contact the Angeles National Forest directly before your trip.

What is the elevation of Chilao Campground and how does it affect camping conditions?

Chilao Campground sits at a higher elevation in the Angeles National Forest, which significantly impacts camping conditions throughout the year. This elevation creates cooler temperatures compared to the Los Angeles basin, providing welcome relief during summer months but requiring extra preparation in winter. Temperature swings between day and night can be substantial, so packing layers is essential regardless of season. During summer, the higher elevation offers more moderate temperatures, though sites without shade can still get quite hot. In colder months, temperatures can drop significantly at night, requiring warmer sleeping bags and clothing than you might expect so close to Los Angeles.

What do visitor photos and reviews reveal about Chilao Campground?

Chilao Campground offers spacious, well-maintained sites with good privacy between them, unlike some more crowded nearby campgrounds. The facilities include clean restrooms and some water pumps, though water availability may vary seasonally. Many sites feature trees perfect for hammock set-ups and some offer beautiful views of the surrounding forest. There's a mix of shaded and unshaded sites, with the shaded spots being highly desirable during hot weather. The campground is surprisingly accessible from Los Angeles, making it popular for weekend trips, yet it provides an authentic outdoor experience. Cell phone reception is available, which can be convenient for those needing to stay connected.

Where can I find a detailed map of Chilao Campground and its facilities?

Detailed maps of Chilao Campground are available at the campground entrance and from rangers stationed in the area. The campground has two distinct loop areas with multiple sites. For digital planning, check the Angeles National Forest website where official maps are typically posted. You can also inquire with the Angeles National Forest office directly for the most current and detailed maps showing campsite layouts, restroom locations, water sources, and trails. Rangers in the area are noted for being helpful with providing information about the facilities.

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