Horse Flats Campground sits at a higher elevation in Angeles National Forest, roughly 5,400 feet above sea level. The campground typically closes during winter months due to snow and reopens in spring when mountain access roads become passable. Temperatures at this elevation can drop 15-20 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys, making it a popular destination during summer heat waves.
What to do
Bouldering access: Horse Flats attracts rock climbers to its nearby bouldering areas. "Nice place to stay for climbing - there is mostly bouldering in the area, with some trad stuff. Plenty of sites!" writes Kathleen L. about Horse Flats Campground.
Archery practice: Tapo Canyon Park offers unique archery opportunities. "There is archery with lessons for kids on the weekends. Very fun! If you are new to RV camping, it's a good place to practice," notes Sam & Amy inc. L. about Tapo Canyon Park.
Creek hiking: Bear Canyon offers water access during spring months. "Follow the creek (which is GORGEOUS with waterfalls and shade in the spring) and go all the way to the end. Trail tends to get iffy at points, but you kinda get to know the flow of it if it disappears into rocks or the creek," explains Shannon E. about hiking to Bear Canyon Campground.
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds in the area report significantly lower usage during weekdays. "It was pretty much empty during the week. Love that it is first come first serve. Sleeping with a completely open tent and viewing the night sky was amazing. Moon lit the entire mountain up," reports Justin B. about camping at Horse Flats.
Simple backpacking options: For those wanting an easy overnight backpacking trip from Los Angeles, Musch Camp offers accessibility. "Musch Camp is an easy one mile hike from the Trippet Ranch Parking Lot in Topanga State Park. If you want a longer hike you can hike up the East Topanga Fire Road and then drop down into Musch Camp on the Backbone Trail from Eagle Junction," suggests Erik M. about Musch Trail Camp.
Spacious, private sites: Several horse-friendly campgrounds offer larger sites. "The campground is small, quiet and very well-kept. Only 12 sites - all have full hook ups, picnic table and fire pit," notes Bower about Tapo Canyon Park.
What you should know
Bug protection needed: Mosquitoes and flies can be problematic at higher elevation campgrounds during certain seasons. "Lots of flies. Toilets were unbearable with the amount of flies. Rustic is the way to go," warns Justin B. about Horse Flats. Similarly, Luissimo M. advises, "Bring lots of mosquito repellent. You will need it."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the mountains have poor or no cell reception. "Make note! There is no Wi-Fi here and as best we could tell, no cellular signal for any provider," reports Bower about Tapo Canyon, while at Malibu Creek State Park, Ryan W. notes "Decent cell coverage" making it an exception to the connectivity challenges.
Water availability: Most Angeles National Forest campgrounds require you bring your own water. "Crossing the tiny bridge at the west end of Switzer Picnic area, you'll see Switzer Trail Camp. You snake up the hill and see breathtaking views from the top of the canyon, veer to the left down the hill and go downstream to the right," explains Shannon E. about accessing water sources near Bear Canyon.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "The campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground. The showers and bathrooms are nice, we highly recommend Tapo Canyon," writes Bri B. about family amenities at Tapo Canyon Park.
Movie location history: Malibu Creek State Park offers educational opportunities about film history. "The state park is a former movie set and is filled with easily accessible trails for hiking and some for mountain biking. The primary trails were open fire roads with off-shoots to lakes, pools, meadows, and more," notes Ryan W. about Malibu Creek State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Angeles Forest area provides chances to see native wildlife. "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear. On a hike right out of the park a few hundred yards, I came across a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek," shares Ryan W.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. "Campground is beautiful!! Spacious campsites with fire pits, and clean bathrooms (bring your own hand soap). Be aware of the limited hours for entering with a vehicle (8am-10pm)," advises Lizzie C. about Malibu Creek State Park.
Dump station access: Plan your waste management. "Nice area for RVing. Good size campsites. Full hookups, Public Restrooms and nice playground area. There is a camp host on site and the Ranger makes at least a daily visit," shares Larry B. about the RV amenities at Tapo Canyon Park.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. "Coming from Frazier, CA I was able to access the camp site with a 2012 Chevy Equinox LS FWD (By no means an off-roading vehicle) and return back home with no issues. The drive down into the little valley is spectacular," explains Jerome A. about reaching Halfmoon Campground, one of the more remote horse-accessible campgrounds near Agua Dulce.
