Best Tent Camping near Burbank, CA
Several primitive tent campgrounds dot the foothills surrounding Burbank, California, within the Angeles National Forest. Millard Trail Campground and Gould Mesa Trail Campground offer backcountry tent camping experiences less than 30 minutes from the city, with both featuring creek-side locations and natural settings. Mount Lowe Trail Campground provides more remote tent camping in the higher elevations above Flintridge.
Most backcountry tent sites near Burbank require walk-in access ranging from 150 yards to several miles of hiking. Campgrounds typically offer minimal facilities, with pit toilets available at some locations but no running water or showers. Bear boxes are provided at Millard Trail Camp for food storage, as wildlife is active in the area. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with several sites allowing fires in designated rings when conditions permit. Campers should verify current fire restrictions before arrival. Sites are generally first-come, first-served with no reservation system for these primitive areas.
The terrain at these walk-in tent locations ranges from flat creek-side spots to more rugged forest settings. Many sites experience moderate to heavy day-use traffic from hikers and mountain bikers, particularly on weekends and during summer months. Tent campers often have streams nearby for filtering water, with seasonal flow strongest in spring and early summer. Bear Canyon Campground offers more seclusion but requires a longer hike, while Millard and Gould Mesa sites are more accessible but less private. Evening solitude improves at most locations after day hikers depart. A visitor commented that "at night they lock the gates so it's really only you, other campers, and the camp host," making these areas quieter despite their popularity during daylight hours.
