Coldbrook Campground offers 22 shaded campsites\*\_\_at the intersection of Coldbrook and Soldier Creeks that are open year round. Available on a first-come, first-serve basis, each campsite can fit up eight people and two vehicles (additional fee applies for the second vehicle). This campground is less populated then nearby Crystal Lake Recreation Area. However, it does reach capacity on most summer weekends. Each campsite has a fire pit and grill, and picnic tables are available on the grounds. Potable water is available on the campgrounds.\_\_The trailhead for the 7-mile round trip hike to the summit of Smith Mountain is just 1/3 of a mile away and the popular Bridge to Nowhere hike is a short drive away. RV\'s are allowed up to 22 feet, but there are no hookups for electricity or waste.\*Note:\_\_Camping - $12 per night per site, $5 for extra vehicle. Day use - $5 per vehicle.\_\_Adventure Pass will be honored for day use. Campsites are first-come-first-served. Adventure Pass required for vehicles parked outside the campground. A [California Campfire Permit][1] is required.\_\_ 

[1]: http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/

Coldbrook Campground

We left LA (Hollywood) on a Friday afternoon around 3, and were setting up camp by 5! Luckily a friend got to the campground before us though, as he snagged the last of the 20 or so sites there. 

There is a great little creek that runs through the campground. Standard pit toilets. Friendly people. 

Whoever had the site before us left trash all over. The dumpsters were also overflowing on Friday, but were cleaned out on Saturday.

Good hiking nearby- we walked from our camp site to the Smith Mountain trailhead. 7 mile out and back to the peak. Difficult hike though.

Biggest con: the loudness of cars driving by on the adjacent road. We were in site 16 and those guys who take their little Hondas or motorcycles through the mountain roads at night broke the serenity of the campground.

Easy Weekend Getaway

Nice place with decent people around. Mostly quiet campers except that one family we all know. Good bird-watching in the morning. Stream and faucets nearby. Good campground.

Nice campground

We have camped here a few times. Had an encounter with a bear both times. Lost our marshmellows. 1st come spots had us looking for a good one. Can get full on weekends. Not a bad spot really. Pit toliets. Campground not to far from crystal lake or town, for quik ice runs.

Camping @ coldbrook

We were looking for a place to plop the night before hiking Bridge to Nowhere and stumbled into this little campground.  There wasn't a lot of options since it's first-come, but we found a great little spot right on a stream to set up.  The ranger came by to say hello and he ended up giving us some advice on the weather and a warning about the hike.  If there's weather coming it can get dangerous fast!  The skies were blue on the hike out but suddenly hail started and it poured!  I've never been so scared of a flashflood in my life so we ran the 5 miles out to safety.  It was pretty memorable!  Definitely do that hike if you stay here!

We lucked out with this little gem

Nice little spot

Really beautiful drive up the mountain and then views from the campsite and surrounding areas. Toilets were clean, site was clean for the most part (a few bottle caps etc from previous campers that I picked up before leaving).  

  

Lots of gnats! They swarm your face but then after you sit still for about a minute they leave you alone. Didn't encounter any mosquitos in early April. The little gnats seemed to crawl into my clothing and wiggle/possibly bite which was a nuisance but I didn't have any bug spray with me. My mistake that hopefully you won't repeat.   

  

I recommend doing the hike from All Trails: Coldbrook Campground Overlook Trail. Download it before you go. There is no cell service once you make your way up the mountain. Lots of great flora. 

  

Great spot for a quick unplug from city life. Recommend it!

Great for Quick Trip - Beware Gnats

This was a cute campground perfect for a weekend getaway! Only 25 minutes away from cell service/ the city and 10 from Crystal Lake Cafe. here you can find all the little essentials you might've forgot to pack, oh and firewood! Was kind of loud though with the sound of cars racing by at all hours of the day. Does have restrooms and a water spigot at almost every site. 

Nice little getaway

We loved this campground. Has piped water at each campsite despite what the official govt website shows. Vault toilets were kept as clean as they can be by the campground host.
Short driving distance to several hikes. Def recommend Lewis Falls hike.
Only negatives are that you cannot make a reservation and you can hear people using the highway as their personal raceway. 

Hidden gem

Simple drive out of LA. The site itself is nice, I stayed on a weekday and there were a few people there partying. The “best” sites are the once up against the stream but also seem to be close together. 14 was awesome because it was at the end of the loop and overlooked the stream. 


Easy getaway

It is a very beautiful place with very clean bathrooms but be careful with your garbage and everything around it as bears appear looking for food because of people who do not take care of their waste

watch out for bears

Coldbrooke is a excellent campground that is relatively close to the city. The camp host was super helpful in explaining the fire restrictions and overall questions. I recommend going early before the weekends because the camp spots fill up quickly.

Only downside is the close proximity of the road from the campsites. Being new in the area, I had no clue about the road being a hotspot for motorcycles doing laps and sports cars. So be prepared to hear them go past. 

Excellent Campground 

Took the kids up there as someplace close for a shakedown trip of my new (to me) Popup trailer. 

Kids had a good time in the creek. We also hiked a short distance up the nearby trail. 
Host warned me not to let the kids go to far by themselves, as a mamma bear and her two cubs had been coming through. We really hoped to see them, but it wasn’t to be. 

Pit toilets were about what you’d expect. As others have said, you do hear people racing up and down the road. Consequentially, at least one emergency vehicle per day. 

Drive up pulling the trailer was a breeze. Lots of turnouts on Hwy 39. 