Best Tent Camping near Claremont, CA
Tent camping options in the San Gabriel Mountains near Claremont, California include both established campgrounds and dispersed sites. Manker Campground, located in Mount Baldy, offers tent-only sites from May to October with drinking water and toilets available. Little Jimmy Trail Campground in Glendora provides a more primitive tent camping experience, accessible only by hiking in, while Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites offer dispersed camping for tent users seeking more remote experiences.
Most tent-only areas near Claremont feature basic amenities with varying access types. Several campgrounds like Hoegees Trail Camp and Valley Forge Trail Camp are hike-in only, requiring campers to carry all equipment to their site. Drinking water is limited to a few established campgrounds such as Manker, while others require campers to bring their own water supply. Fire regulations vary significantly - some sites permit fires in designated rings while others maintain strict fire bans. A camper noted that "with proper funding this place could really be a gem," highlighting the sometimes rustic nature of facilities in the area.
The tent camping experience in this region offers significant natural rewards despite limited amenities. Angeles National Forest provides the backdrop for many of these tent sites with oak and pine forest settings. Sites at higher elevations deliver cooler temperatures during summer months. "This is my favorite campground in the greater Los Angeles area. It is very basic, simple and beautiful," shared one visitor about Manker Campground. Wildlife sightings are common, with several campers reporting bear activity - one review mentioned that "three little bears cruise by at dusk" near Manker Flats, indicating proper food storage is essential. Tent campers should note that while these areas are close to the urban sprawl of Claremont and greater Los Angeles, they provide surprisingly secluded natural experiences with access to extensive trail networks.