Map showing campground location near Pasadena, California

Camper submitted image from Henninger Flat - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Henninger Flat - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Note: This campground is permanently closed. The description below reflects its historical condition based on camper reviews.

City lights visible from your sleeping bag, no car noise, no drive-up neighbors. That was the draw at Henninger Flat, a hike-in campground within Eaton Canyon Open Space in Altadena, where the roughly 3.5-mile climb up a forest service road filtered out most casual visitors. The route gains elevation steadily and runs largely exposed, so heat and sun were real factors on the approach, especially in summer. Campers who made the trip arrived at a multi-tiered layout with three distinct site clusters, each positioned differently relative to the views and tree cover.

The middle cluster gave the clearest sightlines west toward Los Angeles, and the city at night was the campground's defining feature. The upper cluster sat among more trees, which provided shade and good spots for hammocks but blocked the view. As tom P. put it, "you come here for the views and the evening breeze but not much else." Amenities were minimal: pit toilets, picnic tables, and a ranger station with a small museum. Water availability was inconsistent and required treatment when present, so carrying a full supply was the standard approach.

Bugs were a noted issue, and reviewers recommended head nets and insect repellent. Day hikers regularly passed through and occupied sites during daylight hours, but the campground tended to quiet down considerably by evening. Idlehour Trail Campground sits further along the trail and offers a creek-side setting for campers who want water access or a different overnight option.

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Map & DirectionsHenninger Flat is located in California near Pasadena

Public Campground

Coordinates

34.19294858 N
118.08930667 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile5G
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VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T5G
Good Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T5G
Good Coverage

Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

+16267940675

Drive Time

31 min from Los Angeles, CA
1 hr 9 min from Oxnard, CA
1 hr 38 min from Bakersfield, CA
2 hrs 5 min from San Diego, CA

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Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Henninger Flat

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted spectacular LA views from this rustic hike-in campground with excellent solitude after day hikers leave. Basic facilities present but water availability varies. The 3.5-mile uphill hike requires preparation but rewards with peaceful, well-spaced sites.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Stacy C.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 15, 2020

Weekend backpacking

Close by campsite and pitstop on the way to Mt. Wilson. Great overlook of the Los Angeles. Lots of bugs around good thing we had a head net. Not many people around when we were camping so it was pretty quiet.

Tony C.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2019

Great local campsite

I recently moved to WA from Los Angeles so this review is legit 😁 This was and still continues to be one of my favorite campsite close to Los Angeles, I have plenty of fond memories with close friends at this site. It’s completely exposed all the way to the top, a well worth 3 mile uphill hike to three different camp sites. My favorite is the middle site where you get a clear view of the city, beautiful views at night. They say there’s no water but there is, there’s a spout located by the restroom close to the museum, you’ll have to treat it before using (but don’t take my word for it, they tend to shut it off so take plenty of water for your time there and check it out if you need more) If you continue past the middle campsite to the upper site, you’ll have plenty of space for tents and hammocks just no view due to the trees on the edge. If you continue on that trail for another 3 miles i believe, you’ll get to idlehour campground. It’s a small site right next to a creek, you can continue on to Mt Lowe campground and inspiration point. Back to Henninger, plenty of trees for hammocks and sometimes they have firewood collected. At the museum you can buy soda cans so take some change. Hauling a 24 pack of cold Modelos in my pack was not fun at all, but boy did they taste good at the top hahaha. Bugs can get annoying so carry some bug spray, hang your food and PACK IT OUT!!! Leave no trace behind.

(35) View All

David F.

Guide

Reviewed May. 23, 2019

Great hike in beautiful views

This is a special place and a bit of an uphill hike very rustic and incredible views at night looking over Los Angeles about 25 miles away. Not very busy ever. Goid memories for sure

Nadia Y.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2018

Oh the view!

Beautiful hike in campground. The views of the city is amazing!

tom P.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 18, 2018

Moderate Hike With Big Rewards

For most of the populace this is a hike in campground with scattered sites and sometimes no water. You come here for the views and the evening breeze but not much else. The ranger station evolved from a tree plantation and the ancient museum is seldomly visited but interesting. There can be several hikers around here during the day but they usually leave when the sun starts going down....which is a shame cause that's the best time here. You've got a privy and some tables but not much else so enjoy the solitude and quiet. It's comfortable and laid back up here with none of the stress you get from the easily visited camps around SoCal. A rough jewel.

Julia M.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2018

Rare hike-in only campground near Los Angeles, gorgeous views of the city

The hike in is about 3 1/2 moderately steep miles on a forest service road. You will have views all the way to downtown LA, but not much shade. If you are up for a slightly longer hike, start with the short and flat trail to Eaton Falls. There was water flowing, even in August!

Once you arrive at the campground, claim your site at one of 3 clusters. I recommend scoping all of them out so you find the best view. Then check in with the ranger at the visitor’s center and learn a little about the history of the area, or just admire the very old, very sun bleached taxidermy animal collection.

There may not be any potable water for flushing toilets here, but there is pinecone ladder ball! And just up the hill from the campground, looking west, is a spectacular sunset.

SiteLower campground, site 3

Month of VisitAugust

(4) View All

Jennifer D.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 7, 2018

Campground with a view!

Hike into this multi -tiered campground, for campsites with a view. Did this on a weekend, and most of the people taking up all the spots, finished their picnics and headed back to their cars! Lots of trees , where they shouldn’t be lol which is a nice Thing!

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fires allowed at Henninger Flat - PERMANENTLY CLOSED?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Henninger Flat - PERMANENTLY CLOSED, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Is there cell phone reception at Henninger Flat - PERMANENTLY CLOSED?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is good coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and some coverage for Verizon.

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