Quiet mornings here come with the sound of distant cows and roosters drifting up from the valley below, a detail that catches first-time visitors off guard. Laguna Mountain Campground sits on BLM land in the hills above Paicines, reached by a paved road that reviewers consistently describe as narrow, potholed, and prone to mud after rain. The clay-heavy mud is worth noting specifically: it clings to wheel wells and undercarriage in thick sheets, so plan accordingly after wet weather. Blind corners on the approach road also warrant caution, particularly on weekends when traffic picks up.
The campground has a small number of designated drive-in sites, each with a covered picnic table, a fire ring, and reasonable spacing between neighbors. A vault toilet sits near the entrance and is reported to be clean. No water is available on-site, so campers need to bring enough to drink and to extinguish fires, which matters in this designated high-fire-risk zone. Pack-in, pack-out rules apply. Cell service is essentially nonexistent throughout the campground and along the access road, with no reliable signal on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile.
Wildlife is a consistent theme in reviews. Deer, turkey, wild pig, and a range of bird species have all been spotted, and Laura M. notes "bird and wildlife viewing abundant and hiking trails nearby." Hikers can access Laguna Mountain via a strenuous trail that reaches the summit in roughly 4.5 miles, and a more gradual falls hike is also accessible from camp. Bugs, particularly flies, can be heavy in warmer months, so bring appropriate repellent.
Holiday weekends fill the sites quickly. Campers arriving on Memorial Day weekend have reported finding the designated lots full by noon, with overflow groups setting up along the trail beyond the trailhead gate. Laguna Mountain Camp sits just to the northwest and Upper Sweetwater Campground is about a mile to the west, both worth checking if the main sites are taken. Campers visiting Pinnacles National Park have used this area as a nearby base.
Arriving on a weekday outside of summer and holiday periods gives the best chance at a site. Bring more water than expected, account for the road conditions, and download any maps or navigation before leaving cell range.
Description
Campgrounds:
There are campgrounds at Laguna Mountain and Upper Sweetwater. Each campground features several campsites which are equipped with level RV pads, fire rings, shade structures, picnic benches, vault toilets, and a kiosk providing an interpretive panel, a map, and information about the area. Although no reservations or fees are required, there is a 14 day camping limit within any 28-day period. There is no electricity, running water, or trash collection at the campsites. Please utilize good camping ethics, and remember to pack out your garbage when you leave.
Dispersed Camping:
Dispersed camping is also available, although there is no camping within 200 yards of any wildlife watering improvement. You must park within 15 feet (roughly one vehicle length) of any roadway when camping or leaving a vehicle unattended to minimize habitat and vegetation impacts. Please remember to bring a shovel with you for both personal sanitation and fire prevention purposes.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLaguna Mountain Campground is located in California near Pinnacles National Park
Public CampgroundDirections
From Hollister take State Highway 25 south. Turn left onto Coalinga Road and look for the access points located on the west side of the road. From Coalinga take Gale Avenue west which turns into Derrick Avenue. Turn left on Los Gatos Creek Road. Los Gatos Road turns into Coalinga Road at the Fresno County line. Continue on Coalinga Road and look for the access points located on the west side of the road.
Coordinates
36.3674095 N
120.82960375 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonNo Coverage- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Laguna Mountain Campground needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 41 min from Salinas, CA
- 2 hrs 28 min from Hanford, CA
- 2 hrs 46 min from Merced, CA
- 2 hrs 49 min from Fresno, CA
