Crystal Lake Recreation Area sits at 5,800 feet elevation in the San Gabriel Mountains, offering cabin camping near Arcadia, California throughout spring, summer, and fall. Cabin accommodations in the area range from basic tent cabins to more upscale options, with availability typically highest during weekdays. Winter conditions at higher elevations can impact access to some rustic cabin sites.
What to do
Hiking trails: Crystal Lake Recreation Area connects to numerous trails with varying difficulty levels. "There are several hiking trails here that are well used and well maintained. This is a great campground near the city," notes Robert A. about Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground.
Beach activities: At Newport Dunes, visitors can enjoy waterfront activities just steps from premium cabins. "There is a recreational area 20 minutes down the mountain on the lake," explains Mercy M., while another camper at Newport Dunes RV Resort mentions they "have a beach front for group tent camping on the sand... In the middle of the lagoon they have blow up obstacle in the water to climb on."
Wildlife viewing: Several cabin locations provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Animals seen: Black bear, deer (wandered through our site), red foxes, Stellar's Jays, woodpeckers, other birds," reports Forest G. from Crystal Lake. Campers should remain alert, especially at cabin sites that border natural areas.
What campers like
Scenic mountain views: Cabins at higher elevations offer expansive vistas. "There are beautiful views of the mountains. Has bathrooms (no flush). Most sites have tree coverage," shares Katarina A. about Millard Trail Campground.
Proximity to civilization: Many cabin locations provide a wilderness feel while remaining accessible to urban amenities. "Staying here on Friday, July 21 2017. We arrived around 4:30 pm (driving from LA it was about 2 hours with traffic), and there were lots of sites still available," notes one Crystal Lake visitor.
Waterfront access: Several cabin camping options feature water views or direct access to beaches. A visitor at Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park shares, "The sites are terraced, so no matter which site you get you'll have a view of the ocean... There is beach access from the campground and several hiking trails in the park."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some cabin locations experience traffic or rail noise. At LA RV Resort at Action Camp, campers report, "there's about 4 trains a night that will come by with horns blowing." Similarly, at Canyon RV Park, one reviewer noted, "Campground is well-organized, with cabins, RV spots, a youth area, tent spots and a ropes course... The site is bordered by highways on both sides, and they create noise day and night."
Seasonal availability: Cabin camping options vary by season. One reviewer mentions Crystal Lake Recreation Area "stayed here two nights in August, it was nice and cool a good break from the heat. There are a lot of sites here for camping unfortunately they are not all open for use."
Fire restrictions: Fire policies differ between cabin locations. At Crystal Cove, a camper warns, "No coal or wood fires :( Kind of a bummer since your evening ends early. You can bring propane pits yourself for fires though."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom facilities: Consider cabin locations with reliable facilities for family comfort. "We came on a Saturday afternoon, and even though 4 of the sections of camping were closed off - we found an AMAZING space in section D. It wasn't right next to the bathrooms, but the site was spaced out enough that we had plenty of privacy," shares one Camp at the Historic Zorthian Ranch visitor.
Entertainment options: Some cabin sites offer organized activities for children. At Newport Dunes, "They have activities for the kids like arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course or you can rent paddle boards or watch a movie on the beach."
Temperature fluctuations: Mountain cabin locations can experience significant temperature drops at night. One camper notes, "it can get extremely cold at night in the canyons, even if it's in the high 80s during the day. Be prepared."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV cabins offer varying levels of privacy and amenities. At Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon, "It's a large campground with water, electric and sewer hookups available. During the season it is pretty crowded but if you go off peak it is very nice and quiet."
Parking logistics: Some cabin areas have limited parking. At Millard Trail Camp, "Parking is about 150 yards away, down a hill, so be prepared to haul your gear. The campground is situated at a popular trailhead, and there is lots of good hiking nearby."
Advance planning: Reserve cabin accommodations well ahead, especially for premium spots. At Crystal Cove, "This campground fills up fast so book early! I really like how clearly the sites are marked and how often the park rangers patrol."
