Group camping takes on new dimensions at Angeles National Forest Meadow Group Campground, where spacious sites accommodate everything from scout troops to family reunions. Located within the forest near the Chilao Visitor Center, this reservation-only facility features two group sites with different capacities and layouts.
Site logistics require advance planning, as campers must call during weekday business hours to obtain the gate lock combination. The larger Site 2 holds up to 100 people and sits closer to vault toilets, while the smaller Site 1 occupies higher ground with more separation. Multiple fire rings spread across each site allow groups to create distinct gathering areas within the broader camping space. Bear-proof trash cans handle waste management, though no bear canisters are provided for food storage.
Water availability varies by season, with potable water sometimes unavailable at the campground itself. Chilao Campground sits just a few minutes' walk away and may offer an alternative water source. Cell service disappears once inside the forest boundaries. "XTra Large spacious site," notes Kuo G., highlighting the generous space for parking multiple vehicles and setting up camp villages.
Temperature swings dramatically between day and night at this elevation, making warm layers essential even during summer visits.
Description
Overview
Meadow Group Campground is located off State Highway 2 between the Manzanita Loop of the Chilao Campground and the Chilao Ranger Station, 26 miles north of the 210 Freeway in La Canada, California. The campground offers access to a wide variety of recreational activities within the beautiful Angeles National Forest.
Recreation
This campground is 1.5 miles from the San Gabriel Wilderness- where hiking and equestrian use is permitted. In addition, there are also hiking, biking and equestrian trails nearby. The Chilao Visitor Center is located 1.5 miles east of the campground. It offers exhibits and information about the area, campfire programs and excellent bird watching opportunities, including ten species of woodpeckers.
Facilities
The campground will accommodate two groups. Area 1 accommodates up to 24 people and has three picnic tables, three fire rings, one water spigot, and an animal resistant dumpster. Area 2 can accommodate up to 80 people and has ten picnic tables, ten fire rings, and an animal resistant dumpster. Flush toilets are currently not available. But vault toilets are available and are shared by both groups.
Natural Features
The Meadow Group Campground is located within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, which is bordered by the Los Angeles Basin on the south, the San Gabriel Wilderness Area on the east, the San Gabriel Mountains on the north, and the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 14 on the west. The campground is at an elevation of 5,300 feet amid Coulter pines, scrub oaks and grasslands. Visitors might see birds and squirrels along the nature trails, and the area is particularly known for its variety of woodpeckers.
Nearby Attractions
State Route 2, the Angeles Crest Scenic Byway, is a National Forest Scenic Highway. The highway, as it winds along the San Gabriel Mountains, offers spectacular views of nearby peaks and valleys. Several vista points along the road offer the traveler expansive views of the Mojave Desert, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.
Charges & Cancellations
Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Camping: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late Cancellations Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. No-Shows Camping: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: The reservation fee is not refundable if reservation is canceled within 14 days of arrival. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July
Reservation Info
You must obtain the combination to access the locked entrance gate within 15 days of your arrival date. The combination is changed on the first of the month and can be obtained by calling 661-269-2808 and providing the name the reservation is made in, the dates of the reservation, and the reservation numbe
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundAngeles National Forest Meadow Group Campground is located in California
Directions
From the Los Angeles basin side of the San Gabriel Mountains: drive to La Canada via the I-210 (Foothill Freeway) to the State Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) exit. Turn north towards the mountains. Stay on State Highway 2 for 25.6 miles to the lower Chilao Road (Forest Service Road 3N21); turn left onto lower Chilao Road. Proceed west 1.5 miles to the entrance gate on your left. Use the combination you obtained when confirming your reservation to open the gate.
Address
33708 Crown Valley Road
Acton, CA 93510
Coordinates
34.3238889 N
118.0177778 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&T5GGood Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&T5GGood Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 58 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 1 hr 37 min from Oxnard, CA
- 2 hrs from Bakersfield, CA
- 2 hrs 37 min from San Diego, CA



















