Hans V.
Guide
GuideMalibu Creek State Park Campground
Nice semi wooded
Small and not level spots, but OK spreaded. Toilet building is fine (paid showers though).
Camping near Angeles National Forest
You can find a range of camping spots throughout Angeles National Forest's large mountain landscape. Buckhorn Campground sits deep in the forest and puts campers close to the Burkhart Trail that leads to a waterfall that many hikers like to visit. Esther Y, while temporarily closed right now, has been a top choice for many because of the views around it. Bears are common in these woods, so bringing bear-proof containers is necessary to store your food safely. The forest has both shady and sunny camping spots depending on what you prefer. Some sites feel private while others are closer together. Spring and fall work best for camping here when it's not too hot or cold. Summer temperatures can get high, and winter often brings snow that closes some areas. At Buckhorn, you'll find pit toilets and picnic tables but need to bring your own water. The forest is home to many plants and animals, which makes it good for watching wildlife. Angeles National Forest works well for both quiet camping and more active trips. It's smart to check if campgrounds are open before you go since closures happen. The natural setting of Angeles National Forest draws many campers throughout the year.
Campground Showdown near Angeles National Forest, CA
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
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Round 1 of 5
Best Camping Sites Near Angeles National Forest (179)
1. Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon
25 ReviewsActon, CA5 milesWebsite+1 (888) 707-1477"It's a very hot campground close to a road and train. Sites are big. Tons of things to do for adults and children."
"Surrounded my mountains, which is nice. Staff is happy and helpful."
2. Chilao Campground
17 ReviewsMount Wilson, CA15 milesWebsite+1 (818) 790-1151$20 / night
"Campground We had been driving around the campground loops for more than an hour, and had just about given up, when we say the sign for overflow camping near the exit of the Chilao campground loop"
"Great spot to get away from the big city being only a 45min drive from the Downtown, couldn’t ask for more"
3. Buckhorn Campground
20 ReviewsJuniper Hills, CA17 milesWebsite+1 (818) 899-1900$20 / night
"Beautiful trails near by, next to a stream, gorgeous views, and of course that mountain air! Trees are perfect for hammocks."
"It is set back from the road a little giving you a quieter experience away from the 2. This would be a good first car camping spot for families with young children."
4. Monte Cristo Campground
10 ReviewsMount Wilson, CA11 milesWebsite+1 (661) 269-2808$12 / night
"Or one right next to you if you don't have one. The water does not taste too good, but it serves for washing. A bear was on our stuff the first night. I whistled and it ran away."
"It’s Close to Hidden Springs and Switzer falls, surrounding area is very beautiful. I’ll be back!"
5. Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground
12 ReviewsMount Wilson, CA15 milesWebsite+1 (626) 574-1613"OKAY... seriously this one of the best campgrounds near Los Angeles. My ultimate go to spot for an overnight camping trip."
"We were told that the water pumps were off but actually managed to camp right next to the one that was working. The bathrooms were super clean too!"
6. LA RV Resort at Action Camp
7 ReviewsAgua Dulce, CA7 milesWebsite+1 (661) 268-1214$55 - $132 / night
7. Californian RV Resort
5 ReviewsActon, CA2 milesWebsite+1 (661) 269-0919"Easy access to freeway small grocery and great coffee shop close."
"Gated park high on a hill; like driving the hills of SF with a trailer. Lots of pull thrus. Well kept and landscaped. Front desk helpful and friendly."
8. Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground
27 ReviewsValyermo, CA22 milesWebsite+1 (626) 335-1251$20 / night
"We’ve done Crystal Lake probably 6 dozen times or more in our time in California and it never disappoints on the spectacular views."
"Whenever I need to get away from LALA Land, I head up here. I grew up in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, so , sometimes , I need to kick back and recharge."
9. Horse Flats Campground
8 ReviewsJuniper Hills, CA14 milesWebsite+1 (818) 790-1151$12 / night
"There are a few campgrounds in this area of the Angeles National Forest. Horse Flats is not as popular as Buckhorn, and is a little less "green" with regards to the immediate scenery."
"Horse Flats is a popular campground deep in Angeles National Forest. There are a bunch of sites (more than 20) and there are vault toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables."
10. Little pine campground
7 ReviewsMount Wilson, CA15 milesWebsite+1 (747) 322-6574$12 - $24 / night
"This side is on a first come first serve basis and does require you to self pay at the entrance where you find information on the board. Make sure to read everything it has lots of good information."
"Easy campground to get to and close by. First come first serve sites. Does get crowded in summer season. Went there this weekend and very few people."
Recent Camping Photos near Angeles National Forest
251 Photos of 179 Angeles National Forest Campgrounds
The Dyrt
Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon
Kate O.
Horse Flats Campground
Les R.
Bandido Group campground
Les R.
Camp Eaton
Dora O.
Chilao Campground
Jo R.
Angeles National Forest Meadow Group Campground
Dora O.
Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground
Andres P.
Little pine campground
Stacy C.
West Fork Trail Campground - Temporarily Closed
Esther Y.
Cooper Canyon Trail Camp
Tony C.
Cooper Canyon Trail Campground
Recent Reviews near Angeles National Forest
844 Reviews of 179 Angeles National Forest Campgrounds
Glen C.GuideRim of the World Byway (near 15 fwy south) Dispersed
Great free camping for a one night stay
It was easy to find and access based on information on The Dyrt posted by other users. Great for train enthusiasts. Lots of traffic noise from the highway. We even encountered a rare black coyote. Unfortunately I didn’t have the mental presence to snap a picture but it came right up to the trailer. I don’t believe in feeding wildlife but probably others had. Unfortunately there was lots of trash left behind by previous campers or local partiers. I plan to use this location regularly as a launching off point for destinations in Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Very convenient location, there are also convenience stores, a McDonalds, and very expensive gasoline nearby.
- NNathan L.
TravelerMesa Campground — Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
A scenic campground
Silverwood Lake Campground offers a range of site experiences depending on where you stay. Some campsites are fairly close together and don’t offer much privacy, while others are more tucked away and feel noticeably more secluded. That said, the sites with better privacy can come with a tradeoff: there may not be enough room to comfortably pitch a tent right next to the car, which could be inconvenient if you like keeping your setup compact and organized. Overall, the campground seems best for campers who are flexible about site layout and are willing to choose between privacy and convenience. If having space to park and set up camp side by side is important, some of the more open sites may work better, even if they are less private.
Kiabeth C.TravelerBonelli Bluffs
Great camping spot
Cute and nice spot has all amenities has playground pool fishing spot quiet clean and staff are friendly
Julie G.GuideTehachapi Mountain Park
Lovely
We needed a place to stay overnight while traveling cross country. We were pretty weary travelers on this day and we got there about an hour after sunset.
This was a climb up a narrow road. When we came in, we did not see the payment center, but we found it readily on our way out. I blame our being in the dark and being tired on not seeing it coming in.
We woke up in the most beautiful location surrounded by tall trees and hearing turkeys gobbling. It was so fun. The weather is so much better than in the valley, and we do not have A/C so the altitude is great for us.
There are vault toilets and they are not immaculate but also not terrible to use. Many roads were blocked off so first come, first served sites were sparse but on a week day we only saw one other camp site occupied where we were. We parked a few spots away to provide privacy but the sites are large. The site was amazing, the price was great, the weather was great and we would definitely stay here in Tehachapi again - and for more than one night.
- EEmily M.Traveler
Malibu Beach RV Park
Bugs
Not ideal for roof top camping or tent camping due to cockroaches being EVERYWHERE. Pill bugs all over the bathroom. Rooftop tents unable to pay for different areas of camp ground even though our rig has the same amenities as a "rental" van. Saw several old pop up campers that were essentially decaying.
Employees were nice, cute dog, and cute outpost. They have laundry, water, etc.
- ssusie W.Traveler
Malibu Creek State Park Campground
Trails not marked well and no soap in bathroom or way to dry hands
The only thing to do here is hike and the trails are not well marked. Tried to get to MASH site and almost missed it do to lack of trail markers.
The bathrooms are clean but no soap or way to dry hands.
Visitors center is a hike and only open on weekends if volunteers are available.
RV dump station usage is not included in site fee. Extra $10 per dump
Most of sites are not even close level!
- HHeidi J.Guide
Mountain Valley RV Park
Great location
My husband and I reserved a spot here for 1 night and ended up extending it for 2 more days. The scenery is beautiful and the staff is extremely helpful. We loved the little town. Great food and shopping and train watching. I would highly recommend this Campground. It was very relaxing and I loved watching the gliders coming in and out.
- NName
ScoutMalibu Creek State Park Campground
Beautiful campground
A hikers dream . This campground has several trails and there are many others within minutes away. Showers are token however machines are right there. Fire pits on every site as well as concrete picnic tables. Malibu Beach is 15 to 20 minutes away right on Pacific Coast Highway.
Rangers were all amazing. They actually came by last night around 9 PM and told me quiet time was at 8 PM so I guess I had them backwards. I thought it was 8 AM to 10 PM but it’s actually 10 AM to 8 p.m. Firewood is available from the Camp Host who incidentally was amazing in helping and answering a lot of my questions If I was to critique anything, it would be how short the sites are my rig is 31 feet and I have a I don’t know maybe seven or 8 foot overhang from the last wheel if I didn’t have that there’s no way I would’ve fit and then the distance from here to the side across from me is pretty short so you have to Jimmy in and out if there’s somebody there, but that was the only thing that I could say that was negative and it really isn’t negative it just fact.
Guide to Angeles National Forest
Angeles National Forest campsites range from high elevation pine forest spots at over 6,000 feet to desert-adjacent locations under 4,000 feet. This creates dramatic temperature variations between campgrounds, with mountain sites offering 20-30 degree cooler temperatures than nearby Los Angeles during summer months. Many campsites require visitors to pay with cash using self-service envelope systems at campground entrances.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: The Burkhart Trail near Buckhorn Campground leads to impressive falls that change seasonally. "Great hiking trail that was very well maintained," notes a camper who enjoyed the stream that "babbles" through the campground.
Bouldering and climbing: Horse Flats Campground offers excellent rock climbing opportunities within walking distance of campsites. "Nice place to stay for climbing - there is mostly bouldering in the area, with some trad stuff," reports one visitor who appreciates the proximity to climbing routes.
Stargaze from mountain camps: Higher elevation sites provide outstanding night sky viewing without light pollution. "Moon lit the entire mountain up," writes a camper about Horse Flats Campground, noting how sleeping with "a completely open tent and viewing the night sky was amazing."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Monte Cristo Campground offers secluded spots with natural spacing. "Nice campgrounds with lots of trees and big stones, and a creek that runs thru seasonally," writes one visitor who appreciated the proper "dispersed camping" feel despite being an established site.
Escape from summer heat: Higher elevation campgrounds provide relief during hot months. A visitor to Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground noted it was "nice and cool a good break from the heat" with numerous "spacious camping sites, clean bathrooms, running water, numerous shade trees."
Quick access from Los Angeles: Many sites are surprisingly close to urban areas. "Great spot to get away but had to be close enough to get home in a hurry. Drove up on Friday morning and had a wonderful weekend," writes a camper about Chilao Campground, adding it's "less then 1 hour from home."
What you should know
Bear activity is common: Bears visit multiple campgrounds regularly. One Little Pine Campground visitor encountered a bear: "A bear was on our stuff the first night. I whistled and it ran away. In the morning today, we seen another, casually walking into the grounds."
Limited or no cell service: Most forest campgrounds have no connectivity. A Monte Cristo camper notes "there is NO service here or really anywhere on the 2," while another mentions this can be "no problem" for those wanting to disconnect.
Train noise at some locations: Campgrounds near railway lines experience regular disruptions. One visitor to LA RV Resort at Acton Camp reports "about 4 trains a night that will come by with horns blowing," which can interrupt sleep.
Weather changes dramatically by season: Summer highs can exceed 90°F while winter brings snow to many sites. A camper at Chilao noted that "even though the daily high was 79 degrees, the low at night was 56, and it was still only 61 degrees by 7 am."
Tips for camping with families
Closest to city amenities: Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground offers a gentle introduction to outdoor experiences. "This is my ultimate go to spot for an overnight camping trip," writes one visitor who has "spent Thanksgiving here, Valentines Day, and multiple three day weekends," calling it "the perfect spot for beginner outdoor enthusiasts."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids can observe diverse forest animals safely. "From my favorite the Jet black Ravens, rabbits, coyotes, and interesting botany there are plenty of creatures to aww and be thankful for," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon.
Look for sites with shade: Summer temperatures make tree cover essential for comfort. A visitor to Chilao Campground warns to "get there early to get a spot with shade...we arrived in the late afternoon and the only spots had zero shade. It was so hot!"
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions apply: Many forest roads have tight turns unsuitable for larger rigs. "Good for small RVs. Over 24 foot not recommended," advises a visitor to Buckhorn Campground, which sits at over 6,000 feet elevation but has limited access for large vehicles.
Water and waste management: Most forest campgrounds lack hookups. "No water at sites but they have water. No service," notes a camper who managed to pull a "26 TT" (travel trailer) into Monte Cristo but recommends: "If your hauling anything longer then 20 ft. Try for site 11."
Check road conditions before traveling: Mountain roads can be challenging for RVs, especially after weather events. "I came in from the LA side of the mountains and found it's easier to go in from Palmdale with a RV or TT," suggests a Monte Cristo camper who learned the hard way about accessing the campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Angeles National Forest?
What are the best campgrounds in Angeles National Forest?
Horse Flats Campground is highly rated by campers, offering over 20 sites with vault toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables for $12 per site. It's popular for staying cool during summer months due to its elevation, while still being just an hour's drive from LA. Buckhorn Campground is another excellent option with beautiful surroundings. For those seeking more amenities, consider Peavine Campground, which offers gorgeous tall pine scenery and is dog-friendly with hiking trails nearby. Spring is generally the best time to visit these campgrounds, as August and September can get extremely hot.
Do I need reservations for camping in Angeles National Forest?
Do I need reservations for camping in Angeles National Forest?
Some campgrounds in Angeles National Forest require reservations while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Lake Campground offers a mix of both options, with 5 reservable car camping sites and 3-4 sites available without reservations. For popular campgrounds, especially during peak seasons (spring and early summer), securing reservations is highly recommended. Chilao Campground is another option to consider. Remember that even for non-reservable sites, you'll need to display an Adventure Pass on your vehicle when parking. Check the Angeles National Forest website for current reservation requirements, as they may change seasonally or due to fire restrictions.
Can I camp anywhere in Angeles National Forest or only in designated areas?
Can I camp anywhere in Angeles National Forest or only in designated areas?
Camping in Angeles National Forest is generally restricted to designated campgrounds, but dispersed camping rules vary throughout the year. According to forest regulations, you must stay current with recently published orders on the Angeles National Forest website. Heaton Flats is an example of a dispersed camping area where camping is sometimes permitted for stays of 7 days or less. Oak Flat Campground is an established site option. Fire restrictions are strictly enforced throughout the forest, especially during dry seasons when wildfire risk is high. Always verify current regulations before planning dispersed camping, as rules change frequently based on conditions and conservation needs.
Where can I find lakeside or riverside camping in Angeles National Forest?
Where can I find lakeside or riverside camping in Angeles National Forest?
For lakeside camping in the Angeles National Forest area, Los Alamos Campground at Pyramid Lake offers approximately 90 dry camping sites with water spigots available in some areas. The lake provides water recreation opportunities and a scenic backdrop. For a smaller lake experience, Lake Campground features sites with tables, fire pits, pit toilets, and potable water spigots. Bear-proof boxes are provided at each site. For riverside options, look along the San Gabriel River, where several campgrounds offer proximity to water. Just be aware that water levels can fluctuate seasonally, and spring typically offers the most pleasant camping conditions with flowing water.
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