El Monte sits at approximately 300 feet elevation in the San Gabriel Valley, about 12 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The area experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers where temperatures regularly exceed 90°F and mild winters with occasional rainfall. Camping options near El Monte range from mountain retreats in Angeles National Forest to lakeside glamping accommodations with varying levels of accessibility.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: West Fork Trail Campground offers a peaceful setting with multiple hiking paths leading to scenic spots. A camper noted, "A lovely creek runs south-west along the edge of the campground. You can hike there from the campground and see spectacular views of the bay and its marshlands."
Wildlife viewing: Little Pine Campground provides excellent opportunities to observe local fauna. "Love this place. Makes you feel like your on top of the world," writes a visitor. "There are many sites that loop around and all have incredible views. Best place for a relaxing night of camping under the stars and next to the fire."
Water activities: Bonelli Bluffs offers access to Puddingstone Lake where visitors can swim, fish and boat. According to a review, "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."
What campers like
Peaceful mountain escapes: Millard Trail Campground receives praise for its serene setting despite proximity to urban areas. A visitor shared, "There is a stream that runs through the campground which makes it very pretty. About a 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty."
Full hookup sites: RVers appreciate the amenities at established campgrounds near El Monte. One camper at Anaheim Harbor RV Park wrote, "Perfect spot to stay in central orange county. Nice amenities. Clean bathrooms. well functioning rv hook ups. Everything worked as planned."
Tent-friendly options: For those seeking glamping close to El Monte, California without an RV, there are suitable alternatives. A reviewer of China Camp State Park Campground explained, "You need to park in the main lot and then carry your gear to the campsite, but it's not really a hike. More like a short walk, a quarter of a mile at best."
What you should know
Accessibility challenges: Some glamping sites near El Monte have difficult access points. At Millard Trail Campground, "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."
Seasonal crowding: Dockweiler Beach RV Park experiences high traffic during peak seasons. "The RV park has a hookup area and a dry camping area. The hookups are full of large rigs, very close one with another, in a parking lot style," one camper explains.
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures in areas surrounding El Monte can reach dangerous levels. A visitor to Little Pine Campground advised, "Gets dusty, and a bit hot sometimes," while others recommend bringing extra water during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming options: Anaheim Harbor RV Park provides a pool that's popular with younger visitors. According to one family, "We spent time in the pool. After that I cooked dinner at our site while my daughters watched television in the adjacent club house. Afterwards they went swimming again."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds experience more noise than others. At Dockweiler Beach, "You will hear each and every of the planes taking off from LAX, but at one point you don't hear them anymore. It was not really annoying, but that flight at 5a was..."
Select sites with amenities: For glamping close to El Monte with kids, choose locations with convenience features. A visitor to Fairplex RV Park noted, "It's quaint quiet but you're packed in like sardines it's a tight fit but everybody here is pretty friendly."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions matter: Check actual measurements when booking. At Fairplex RV Park, "Their site measurements are for your camping unit ONLY. If you have a tow vehicle or are towing a vehicle you must pay per night for a parking spot, whether it fits on the site or not."
Level surfaces: Look for campgrounds with level sites. As noted by one camper at Bonelli Bluffs, "We chose Bonelli for our shakedown trip in our new trailer (first time RVers). SO quiet. Numerous residents, but spots are mostly keep up nicely. Our rental spot has 3 trees, a picnic table, a firepit, level parking(!) and full hookups."
Reservation strategies: Book well in advance for glamping accommodations near El Monte, particularly for popular spots. A visitor to Soledad Canyon RV Resort advised, "This is a good location to explore LA and greater LA area, 45 min to Hollywood sign. Park is a large TT resort with recently remolded lodge in 2019."
