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Best Campgrounds near Duarte, CA

1,094 Reviews

Camping areas surrounding Duarte, California range from developed sites to remote backcountry locations, primarily scattered throughout the Angeles National Forest to the north. The region includes established campgrounds like Crystal Lake Recreation Area in Azusa and Chilao Campground in the San Gabriel Mountains, alongside several hike-in trail camps. Facilities vary widely from RV-friendly sites with hookups at Bonelli Bluffs in San Dimas to primitive tent-only locations such as Hoegees and Spruce Grove Trail Camps accessible only by foot. Most mixed-use campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, while the remote backcountry sites provide a more secluded wilderness experience.

Road conditions and seasonal availability significantly impact campground access in this mountainous region. Many forest service campgrounds operate seasonally, with sites like Crystal Lake (April to December), Chilao (April to November), and Buckhorn (April to November) closing during winter months due to snow and hazardous conditions. Several trail camps require hiking distances ranging from 2-8 miles on established trails, making them suitable for backpackers but inaccessible to vehicle campers. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, particularly in backcountry areas. According to one visitor at Hoegees Trail Camp, "There are about 12 campsites with picnic benches and fire rings. There's a creek that runs through. It's beautiful and feels completely isolated."

Hike-in trail camps represent some of the most highly-rated experiences near Duarte, offering unique opportunities to escape urban surroundings without traveling far. The Santa Anita Canyon area hosts several popular trail camps including Spruce Grove and Hoegees, where campers appreciate the flowing creeks and feeling of seclusion despite proximity to Los Angeles. Sites at Henninger Flat provide dramatic city views after a moderate uphill hike. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, Glenn Camp Campground offers "an easy paved 6 1/2 miles in to camp all the way along a creek" with "very nice sites with tables, BBQs and fire rings." Most backcountry campgrounds lack potable water, requiring visitors to filter from streams or pack in their own supplies. Cell service is generally unreliable throughout the mountain camping areas, creating a true disconnect from urban life.

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Best Camping Sites Near Duarte, California (196)

    1. Bonelli Bluffs

    38 Reviews
    South El Monte, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 599-8355

    $76 - $88 / night

    "⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Our experience at Bonelli Bluffs Campground was mostly positive, but there were a couple of aspects that could be improved."

    "The views around the outskirts of B loop are just lovely, the staff has been so friendly and helpful (we’re RV newbies and had a ton of questions) the store was stocked with all of the little things we"

    2. Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground

    26 Reviews
    Valyermo, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (626) 335-1251

    "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."

    3. Coldbrook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Glendora, CA
    11 miles
    Website

    "We left LA (Hollywood) on a Friday afternoon around 3, and were setting up camp by 5! Luckily a friend got to the campground before us though, as he snagged the last of the 20 or so sites there."

    "Coldbrooke is a excellent campground that is relatively close to the city. The camp host was super helpful in explaining the fire restrictions and overall questions."

    4. Chilao Campground

    17 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 790-1151

    $12 / 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"

    5. Buckhorn Campground

    20 Reviews
    Juniper Hills, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    $12 / 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."

    6. Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground

    12 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +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!"

    7. Spruce Grove Trail Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO FIRE

    5 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 482-8937

    "Close to the camp that's up there"

    "Beyond the falls, the trail takes on a greater feeling of wilderness immersion."

    8. Mount Lowe Trail Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    10 miles
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    "We went in May this year so not much people around. Brand new toilet is nice as well. There was some flowing water still."

    "There's a stream nearby the Mount Lowe Summit Trail, also. Plenty of great sites to choose from."

    9. Hoegees Trail Camp Campground

    5 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    6 miles
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    "Hoegee’s is 2 miles hike from Chantry Flats by way of the Lower Winter Creek Trail. The site is named for Hoegee’s resort which stood just upstream."

    "If you take the Upper Winter Creek Trail it's an easier hike but not as pretty as the Lower one. Campsite is very nice with enough sites for about 20 campers with a privy but no running water."

    10. Millard Trail Campground

    9 Reviews
    Altadena, CA
    12 miles
    Website

    "When you can’t do a 2h hike before setting camp, but you also don’t want to camp close to your car, Millard campground is perfect. The parking lot is just behind the corner out of view."

    "Cool drive to get to the campground. You drive up and down these hilly roads up the mountain to get there. Once there, there's a parking lot that fits about 20 cars."

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Recent Camping Photos near Duarte, CA

325 Photos of 196 Duarte Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Duarte, CA

1094 Reviews of 196 Duarte Campgrounds

  • B
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Tapo Canyon Park

    Favorite spot near LA

    The Camp Hosts here are Very Friendly and welcoming, the campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground. The showers and bathrooms are nice, we highly recommend Tapo Canyon.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Great trip/great site!

    This place is great! We stayed on site 59 and it had so much space you can fit a ton of people on the site. We had a beautiful, big tree and a great view in the back of the site. Site 62 had the most beautiful view but no shade, but I want to book it for the cooler months. Showers and bathrooms were pristine!! Can’t wait to go back!

  • Wayne S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest

    Nice little park

    Very small campground. Camping sites are spread out. The access road is very narrow. We did it with a 22 foot fifth wheel. Space 41 could hold a much longer rig but it would be a challenge even getting to that space. There were only two other campers here while we were here. Lots of trees but not so thick you dont get some sun. The road getting to the campgrounds is somewhat narrow and has some hairpin turns so again it might be difficult for someone with a long trailer We camped at Applewhite Campground in a Fifth Wheel.

  • Michael R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Malibu Creek State Park

    The campground is well laid out with plenty of shade available in most sites throughout the day. Sites aren’t too close to one another, restrooms are modern and clean and people were pretty quiet at night and in the early mornings. Main demographic was families when I camped here.

  • ROCKSTAR C.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hare School Park

    It’s the sports fields parking lot

    I’ve been here for a couple days and nobody’s mess with us. There’s other people that are staying in another parking lot attached that are homeless in their vehicles mostly cars and vans. I’m in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV. There’s a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them.There’s no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please. It’s not tent friendly. I don’t believe.

  • Lizzette M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hollywood RV Park

    Gem near the big city

    I came 3 days ago in my class C. Showers and restrooms were clean and supplied. The RV is cute very Hollywood movies vibes. Trees lovely gardens to walk the dogs. Commerce walking distance. I’m staying 8 more days.✌️

Guide to Duarte

Camping near Duarte, CA, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park, provide direct access to the beach. Campers love the chance to enjoy the ocean right from their campsite. One reviewer mentioned, "Really a special spot. Not crowded and a place you can rarely camp beachfront in Southern California."

  • Hiking Trails: Campgrounds such as Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park are close to great hiking trails. A visitor noted, "Great location. Less than 1/2 mile to the beach, hiking and MTB/gravel trails accessible from the campground."

  • Wildlife Watching: Many campers enjoy spotting local wildlife. At Serrano, one camper shared, "Bears and coyotes in the area, recommended not to let small dogs or cats roam unattended."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One review for Bonelli Bluffs stated, "Possibly the cleanest public bathroom I've ever seen."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds offer ample space between sites. A camper at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach mentioned, "The campground is setup as a bunch of loops with a large common area between the rear of every campsite."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Dogwood said, "Camp hosts are friendly and knowledgeable."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Thornhill Broome Beach, have minimal facilities. A reviewer noted, "No water, no dump station, only portable bathrooms on site from what we can see."
  • Noise Levels: Campgrounds near highways can be noisy. One camper at Doheny State Beach Campground mentioned, "There is a ton of road noise coming off of the highway even late at night."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Many campgrounds fill up quickly on weekends. A visitor at San Mateo Campground shared, "Crowded on weekend, much less during the week."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for family gatherings. A camper at Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground noted, "We camped in site 103 and found it to be an awesome spot."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or games to keep kids entertained. One family at Bonelli Bluffs enjoyed the area, saying, "The campground itself was well-maintained, and the surrounding natural beauty made for a peaceful retreat."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make family camping trips smoother. A camper at Serrano mentioned, "The staff were friendly and helpful."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campsite. A reviewer at Sycamore Canyon Campground said, "The spaces are pretty small, so they are not meant for large RVs."
  • Bring Your Own Wi-Fi: Some campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Point Mugu State Park noted, "No T-Mobile wifi. I used my WeBoost and got two bars."
  • Use Dump Stations Wisely: Know where the nearest dump stations are located. A visitor at Doheny State Beach Campground mentioned, "The dump site was closed this weekend."

Camping near Duarte, CA, has something for everyone, from beach lovers to hiking enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Duarte, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Duarte, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 196 campgrounds and RV parks near Duarte, CA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Duarte, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Duarte, CA is Bonelli Bluffs with a 4.4-star rating from 38 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Duarte, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Duarte, CA.

What parks are near Duarte, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Duarte, CA that allow camping, notably Angeles National Forest and Mojave River Dam.

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