Camping near El Monte, California covers a wide range, from full-hookup RV sites and drive-in campgrounds to hike-in trail camps across the San Gabriel Mountains. Bonelli Bluffs in San Dimas provides full hookup sites for RVs with amenities including electric, water, and sewer connections, while more rustic experiences can be found at Chilao Campground in Angeles National Forest. The region includes both drive-in campgrounds accessible by passenger vehicles and hike-in trail camps like Millard Trail Campground and Hoegees Trail Camp that require walking to reach tent sites. Most established campgrounds are within a 30-minute drive of El Monte, making them convenient for weekend getaways.
Many Angeles National Forest campgrounds operate seasonally, with several sites closed during winter months. Chilao Campground typically operates from April through mid-November, while Crystal Lake Recreation Area maintains a similar schedule from late April to December. A review noted, "Since it's so close to LA and touts often as the place to go for newbie campers you get all kinds of kinds. Any summer holiday weekend spent up here will be filled with drunk yelling and loud radios." Travelers should be aware that fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, and some campgrounds may have limited or no water available. Adventure Passes are required for parking at many trailheads and day-use areas throughout the forest.
The mixed-use campgrounds near El Monte accommodate various camping styles, from tent camping to RV sites with hookups. Crystal Lake Recreation Area offers tent, RV, and cabin options with amenities like drinking water, trash disposal, and toilets. Several visitors mentioned the proximity to hiking trails as a key benefit, with easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail from some locations. Campgrounds closer to the city tend to experience more weekend traffic and noise, while those at higher elevations provide cooler temperatures and more solitude. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, Millard Trail Campground offers "creek-side camping close to the city" with "a lovely creek runs south-west along the edge of the campground," making it popular for short overnight trips when campers don't have time to drive far from urban areas.
$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"
$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"
$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."
"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."
"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."
"Close to the camp that's up there"
"Beyond the falls, the trail takes on a greater feeling of wilderness immersion."
"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."
$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."
"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."
$5 / night
"Trail camp is in the canyon so it’s an easy 3.5 mile hike in, but a tough hike out of the canyon."
"Forage your way through the Valley Forge Trail, for an intimate night in the wilderness at one of its remote camps."
ScoutOur stay has been overall very nice. With campground is in an urban setting, so there is some traffic noise that comes with that, but it wasn't too bad. Very clean and well maintained. Nice staff. Disneyland is 12 minutes. Angles Stadium maybe 3. Can easily walk to a ball game if you wish. This isn't the kind of park that we normally stay at, but it was perfect for our needs in this case.
TravelerNot 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.
TravelerThe 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!
ScoutA 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.
LegendThey have bathrooms and trash and pull up sites and rangers are nice
GuideThe title says it all. It's nice, cheap, and quiet. Sites are spacious but beware of the ground squirrels. They're everywhere. Site 42 has a lot of traffic due to trail heads at the back of the site.
RangerThe Views are fantastic sites are rugged but very cool locations, This is mainly a Hike in CG most of the time and better have some serious clearance to get there even when the road is open in summer, BUT very worth it!
TravelerCamping at the beach in LA! Large country campground that has sites designed for motorhomes and sites designed for travel trailers and fifth wheels. It asphalt campsites, but you’re at the BEACH! My only complaints are the electrical was not working properly, (I had to connect to 30A instead of 50A), and people don’t pick up after themselves.
Scoutfirst, as a drop in you can‘t stay more then two nights even if they have room!
second, annually pool maintenance in spring break! without information when checking in, and it’s not a cheap one and i chose it for the pool! no information no discount, had to beg to at least get a poolchair, so much gras to chill no chairs!
third the showers are only dripping and i was the only one showering! again, not a cheap place!
and fourth, WIFI does never connect, really for a campground with this price, every cheap one has better WIFI and some people need it as internationals!
Campgrounds near El Monte, California range from 4,000-7,000 feet elevation across the San Gabriel Mountains, offering cooler temperatures than the valley floor. Many locations remain accessible year-round while higher-elevation sites typically close from December through March. First-come, first-served camping is common throughout the area with limited advance reservation options.
Waterfall hikes within minutes: From Millard Trail Campground, access the waterfall trail which is entirely shaded by tree foliage. "Me and my girlfriend decided to go on this trail with our two doggos on a hot 95 degree day and we had such a good time the waterfall trail is nothing but shade provided by the trees foliage and the creek kept our dogs cool as they would jump in and out of the small pools," notes one Millard Trail Campground visitor.
Creek exploration for kids: Crystal Lake Recreation Area features multiple creeks and water features perfect for children. "There are beautiful views of the mountains. Has bathrooms (no flush). Lots of Mosquitoes and bugs. Well worth it. Has a fire pit at each spot. Has picnic table, but very splintery, bring covers. Most sites have tree coverage," reports a Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground camper.
Mountain biking on established trails: Numerous trails throughout the area accommodate bikers of various skill levels. At Bonelli Bluffs, "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more," according to a visitor.
Higher elevation for cooler temperatures: Buckhorn Campground sits above 6,000 feet, providing relief from summer heat. "We love to travel and camp but can't always carve out the time for a long drive out of LA. We found this gem, just 1 1/2hrs from LA and you'd never know you were anywhere near the city. It's the perfect getaway, birds singing, and the scenery makes you feel like you're in Tahoe," writes a reviewer at Buckhorn Campground.
Stream-side camping spots: Multiple campgrounds feature creeks flowing through or adjacent to camping areas. At Coldbrook Campground, "We had a campsite next to the creek and it was beautiful to see and listen to. The creek or stream is a good size- its not just a tiny trickle- you can hear the running stream while you sleep," notes a Coldbrook Campground visitor.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer more secluded spots with natural vegetation providing separation. "The campground is situated at a popular trailhead, and there is lots of good hiking nearby. But, this is also a high-traffic area on spring and summer weekends. A lovely creek runs south-west along the edge of the campground," reports a Millard Trail Camp visitor.
Weekend crowds are common: Many campgrounds fill completely by Friday afternoon during summer months. "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. We wish we had known about this set-up sooner! Chilao campground had temporarily converted its 'Day use only' areas to overflow camping," explains a visitor at Chilao Campground.
Bear activity in certain areas: Food storage requirements vary by campground. "We have camped here a few times. Had an encounter with a bear both times. Lost our marshmellows. 1st come spots had us looking for a good one. Can get full on weekends. Not a bad spot really. Pit toliets," writes a Coldbrook visitor.
Road closures affect access: Always check current conditions before departing. "Drove all the way to the turn in to find the road was closed," reports a disappointed Valley Forge Trail Camp visitor, highlighting the importance of confirming access.
Best first-time backpacking options: Valley Forge Trail Camp offers an accessible introduction to backpacking. "Took some friends for their first ever backpacking trip, great intro to the 'experience.' Trail camp is in the canyon so it's an easy 3.5 mile hike in, but a tough hike out of the canyon," writes a Valley Forge Trail Camp visitor.
Car camping with amenities: Look for developed campgrounds with facilities for easier family camping. "This would be a good first car camping spot for families with young children," notes a Buckhorn visitor about the well-designed campground.
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant night noise on weekends. "Easy to get to, but fills up VERY fast. Open spaces for large group camping. Fire pits at every campground and easy to walk to hiking trail. Most of the people camping there played loud music all night. Not exactly a get away from the city," cautions a Buckhorn visitor.
RV length restrictions: Many mountain campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. "Beautiful campground. A little over 6000 feet up in the pine trees. The campground fills quickly for the weekend. It's a first come/first serve so get there early. Good for small RVs. Over 24 foot not recommended," advises a Buckhorn visitor.
Full hookup options: Bonelli Bluffs provides complete RV services close to El Monte. "A little pricey but very nice facility. All hookups 30/50 amp. Cable TV. There's a pool. A tent area. Some spaces monumentally better than others. Occasionally they run a special. There's good hiking and bike riding and fishing," reports a Bonelli Bluffs camper.
Different experiences for RVs vs tents: Some sites cater better to one type of camping. "Awesome for RVs but maybe not the best for tent camping. After experiencing both amenities this place is more or less for RVs and 4/10 as for they do have the tent camping on the steep incline and not too many sites," explains a Bonelli Bluffs reviewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at El Monte campgrounds?
Campgrounds near El Monte offer varying amenities to suit different camping styles. O'Neill Regional Park provides clean facilities with free showers, making it ideal for families. The park is excellent for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and running. Meanwhile, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park features grassy areas under beautiful Coastal Live Oak trees, offering a surprising wilderness experience despite being close to urban areas. Both parks have developed campsites with basic amenities while maintaining their natural character.
Are there any private camping options in the El Monte area?
Bonelli Bluffs is a notable private camping option near El Monte. This campground offers spacious accommodations, though families should note it has limited playground facilities for children. For RV enthusiasts, Dockweiler Beach RV Park provides a unique opportunity to camp directly facing a beautiful beach with built-in fire rings and a long bike path. The location is excellent for those wanting beach access while still being within driving distance of El Monte and other Los Angeles attractions.
Where can I find the best camping sites in El Monte, California?
While El Monte itself has limited camping options, several excellent campgrounds are within driving distance. Millard Trail Campground near Pasadena offers a convenient escape with good hiking trails nearby, though be prepared to haul your gear about 150 yards from the parking area. For a mountain experience, Little Jimmy Trail Campground provides a backcountry feel just 2 miles off Angeles Crest Highway with first-come, first-served sites featuring fire rings and vault toilets. Both locations are accessible from El Monte within a reasonable drive time.
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