170 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options within close proximity to Glendale, California range from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites in Angeles National Forest. Campgrounds like Millard Trail Camp and Gould Mesa Trail Camp offer tent camping within a short drive from the city, while Angeles Crest Overlook provides vehicle-based dispersed camping with views of Los Angeles. The region includes several walk-in and hike-in tent sites alongside established RV parks and cabin accommodations. Most camping areas sit within the forest boundary, providing natural settings despite their proximity to urban Los Angeles.
Access to camping areas varies significantly by site and season, with many campgrounds in Angeles National Forest open only from April to November. "This campground has pit toilets and no running water. If you are in LA and looking for the back-country feel without a long drive, this is just a 3 mile hike or ride up the canyon from Altadena," notes one visitor about Gould Mesa Trail Camp. Mixed-use campgrounds often feature vault toilets but limited drinking water, requiring campers to filter from streams or pack in their own supply. Several developed campgrounds like Chilao Campground provide basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and trash collection, while dispersed sites typically offer no facilities. Cell service remains inconsistent throughout the area, with better reception at higher elevation overlooks.
Campers frequently mention the surprising tranquility of these sites despite their urban proximity. The campgrounds within Angeles National Forest provide stream access and hiking opportunities, though many experience heavy day-use traffic. A reviewer noted about Millard Trail Camp: "This 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." Visitors to Angeles Crest Overlook report excellent views but warn about occasional nighttime disturbances from vehicles. Fire restrictions apply seasonally throughout the region, with most developed campgrounds maintaining established fire rings for permitted use. Wildlife sightings are common, with several reviews mentioning coyotes and occasional bears, making proper food storage essential at all camping areas.
"Every “road” in the park is themed with California or Hollywood themed decorations and murals. We were parked right next to a Mister Roger’s mural across from the laundry/bathrooms."
"Trees lovely gardens to walk the dogs. Commerce walking distance. I’m staying 8 more days.✌️"
"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."
"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"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"It's a very hot campground close to a road and train. Sites are big. Tons of things to do for adults and children."
"Surrounded my mountains, which is nice. Staff is happy and helpful."
"Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that."
"This is just a few parking lots that overlook the valley and gives a view of the city skyline in the distance."
"You can hear cars driving off in the distance but still overall quiet.
- Close to LA. This is about a 15 minute drive then 30 minute hike from my house.
* The stream is great."
"Very beautiful now that the canyon vegetation has grown back in and there are plenty of trails in the area for miles of hiking. Lots of wildlife. Fire rings in camp sites but check for fire permits."
"Or one right next to you if you don't have one. The water does not taste too good, but it serves for washing. A bear was on our stuff the first night. I whistled and it ran away."
"It’s Close to Hidden Springs and Switzer falls, surrounding area is very beautiful. I’ll be back!"
from $12 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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!"
"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."
from $5 / night
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ScoutAs a heads up, they accept only factory van conversions with black and gray water tanks. So no self conversions. As a facility, it seems very nice, my RVing friend has been coming in here for years and absolutely loves it
ScoutI do recommend. Beautiful, peaceful place. Good folks. It’s right near Magic Mountain theme park and many useful stores nearby: Home Depot, Walmart, Target, genetic stores, movie theaters. I’ll camp here again.
ScoutLove this place so much that our family canceled reservations at two other places to spend a few extra nights. The views are fantastic, the bathroom and showers are so clean, and the delicious seafood restaurant a walk down the hill is just a bonus. Staff were kind and helpful at check-in. It's a great base camp to explore the LA area. We tent camped here 20 years ago and when we came back this time with our RV it was even better than we remembered.
TravelerWell-kept campground with minimal amenities, but the breathtaking views more than make up for it. Very quiet, less than half the sites were occupied during our stay. Only real drawback was it was quite breezy, but it was perfectly manageable with proper planning.
The nearby lodge was a neat addition, and there’s a very cool disc golf course next door.
Site 49 was flat and spacious, with a spectacular view of the sunset.
Scoutdon’t try to reach out to this park via phone with any questions, they won’t answer you. they won’t even answer the phone when their own reservation agents are calling them. gates close strictly at 10 so if you’re camping here make sure to show up by then. showed up at 9:58 after leaving a music festival early to make sure i made it on time, and their staff was immensely rude to me about not making it on time. the morning staff is incredibly nice, apologizing for the problems and giving me advice. the night staff though has a problem and they take it out on their visitors. for how rude they were to me, somehow the campsite across from me showed up at 11pm, so seems like they pick and choose who to give problems. avoid camping here. campsites are very close together and nothing special.
GuideWe have been to this campground quite a few times in the last couple of years and I really love it, personally because it’s really close to home. I also love that it’s first come first serve, which allows us to spontaneously go and enjoy without having to make reservations. I also like the fact that all the campsites have a fire pit and a picnic table, which were very recently replaced so they look very new. They installed metal storage boxes for saving your food overnight, this is super helpful. I love the creek even though the water is freezing cold but it’s truly a favorite. This place is wonderful and even though right now there is no water access until further notice, as long as you know you need to take lots of water for cooking and cleaning up you are good.
ScoutThe place is simple, well maintained and extremely clean. There’s back in sites that accommodate smaller 20ft campers and bigger 30ft campers, with there being some pull through sites that are big enough for RV’s, however no camping with tents allowed. Would recommend against bringing in campers with damage or DIY repairs as they “have to maintain sightly appearance”. Overall great for the price. Extremely clean bathrooms with free showers with a pool and jacuzzi plus a short walk to the beach. Only about a 45 min drive to LA with no traffic. The only bad is the constant noise from the port that doesn’t go away at night.
TravelerBe sure to come early. Great location for families and small groups. Peaceful close to a city within 40min small town with church ect 15 minutes away.
LegendGeneral: Two sections: RV camping and dry camping
Site Quality: If you have a larger RV and/or need hookups, you will be in a parking space with ZERO privacy between spaces (it is literally a parking space!). If you have a small RV or van conversion (smaller than 19 feet), there is dry camping. Concrete driveway; minimal privacy but a direct view of the beach. You must have a bed, dinette, sink, and small water supply to be in these spots. A concrete picnic table is included in each site.
Bath/Shower: Six-digit codes (that change regularly) needed to enter (and a different one for each bathroom). One all-in-one with a sink, toilet, urinal, and diaper changing station. The other has two shower stalls, two toilets, and one sink. The shower in the one closest to the dry camping area left much to be desired. I couldn’t get the ADA-accessible shower to work, and the other one had a push-button flow that took some time to get warm and had to be repeatedly pushed to complete the shower. Hooks and bench are outside the shower stall, compromising privacy. My biggest disappointment, however, was that there were NO electrical outlets. I took a chance and walked to the other end of the campground (by the entrance and full hookup sites) where I discovered the bathroom was much nicer. Not only did it have electrical outlets, but it looked like the showers were much nicer.
Activities/Amenities: You are right on the beach! There is a paved path for walking, running, or bicycling. Laundry was temporarily out of order when we were there.
There are very limited options for camping in this area, and the price was $55/night for dry camping. You are in the direct flight path of LAX, so have earplugs at the ready if the sound of jet planes overhead is not your thing!
Camping options within Angeles National Forest form the backbone of outdoor recreation near Glendale, California. Most campsites sit at elevations between 3,000-5,500 feet, creating temperature differences of 10-15 degrees cooler than the city below. The region's Mediterranean climate means summer nights rarely drop below 55°F at most campgrounds, while winter can bring occasional snow to higher elevation sites.
Trail exploration from campsites: Chilao Campground connects to several hiking paths including the Silver Moccasin Trail north spur. "There are easy hiking trails all over & good trees for hanging my hammock. The campsites are very spacious and clean," notes one Chilao visitor.
Waterfall hikes: Valley Forge Trail Camp offers creek-side camping with a 3.5-mile hike access. A camper described the setting as "an easy 3.5 mile hike in, but a tough hike out of the canyon. In April the creek was full, with several creek crossings on the hike and crisp, fresh water along the campsite that contribute to a beautifully green oasis of a meadow."
Urban escape with minimal driving: For those wanting proximity to urban amenities, Mount Lowe Trail Campground provides a wilderness experience without long travel. "It was eerily quiet at night. We were the only ones there and can hear our own heartbeats laying there at night," reports a visitor who stayed in May.
Solitude despite urban proximity: Millard Trail Campground offers relative tranquility despite its urban location. "Bikepacked in for a quick overnighter. Settled on one of the 6 tent sites. Nice campground, active stream in the middle of summer. Waterfall 30 minutes hike upstream," shares one visitor.
First-time backpacking destination: Several campers note that Valley Forge Trail Camp works well for backpacking novices. "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."
Year-round accessibility: Monte Cristo Campground maintains availability throughout all seasons. A visitor notes, "It's in between two peaks (hills on east and west) so you can sleep in and in late afternoon, you're not being blasted by the sun. It got hot, but it was bearable."
Wildlife precautions: Bears frequent many campgrounds near Glendale. At Monte Cristo, a camper reported, "A bear was on our stuff the first night. I whistled and it ran away. In the morning today, we seen another, casually walking into the grounds."
Vehicle security concerns: At some locations near urban areas, car break-ins can occur. A Millard Trail Campground visitor warns, "Make sure to leave your car doors unlocked, and nothing of value inside. You'd rather have someone root through your car and walk away empty handed than have a window broken and items stolen."
Fire restrictions vary seasonally: Regulations change frequently across Angeles National Forest. At Monte Cristo Campground, a visitor noted, "There was a fire restriction. No bonfires, no cooking on stoves and there was no water due to a leak."
Limited cell reception: Most forest campsites lack reliable connectivity. A camper at Chilao Campground warned, "note: cell phone reception there, be warned!"
Start with established sites: For first-time camping families, Chilao Campground offers accessibility with basic amenities. "I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SPOT FOR CASUAL/FUN/CHILL/BEGINNER/FAMILY camping," advises one experienced visitor.
Consider water availability: Water sources at campsites near Glendale can be inconsistent. At Monte Cristo, a visitor noted, "There are water sources on almost all campsites. Or one right next to you if you don't have one. The water does not taste too good, but it serves for washing."
Watch for insects: Some campsites harbor unexpected wildlife. A family camping at Monte Cristo warned, "Campground was okay but be careful because there are black widows everywhere! Especially under the tables of the campsites. Be especially careful if you're traveling with kids."
Size limitations matter: Angeles National Forest campgrounds generally accommodate smaller RVs. At Monte Cristo, a camper advised, "I pulled a 26 TT. I came in from the La side of the mountains and found it's easier to go in from Palmdale with a rv or tt. If your hauling anything longer then 20 ft. Try for site 11."
Consider urban options for larger rigs: Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon accommodates larger RVs with more amenities but has environmental factors to consider. "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 remodeled lodge in 2019," notes one RVer, though cautioning, "The area appears to be a flash flood area with heavy rains."
Noise considerations: Train activity affects some RV parks. One Soledad Canyon camper mentioned, "The only negative is the trains!" while another noted it's "in the middle of nowhere in the desert... very very close to railroad tracks and at night the loud train kept waking us up."
Frequently Asked Questions
What RV camping facilities are available in Glendale?
Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground offers beachfront RV camping with concrete/asphalt sites featuring water, electric hookups, and a dump station. It provides easy access to Long Beach and is a convenient base for visiting nearby attractions. Bonelli Bluffs is another excellent option for RV campers, offering modern facilities though limited playground amenities for families. For RV travelers seeking additional options, Hollywood RV Park and Dockweiler Beach RV Park are also within driving distance of Glendale, each offering urban convenience with different amenities.
Where are the best camping spots near Glendale?
The area surrounding Glendale offers several excellent camping options. Little Jimmy Trail Campground is a hidden gem for backpackers, located just 2 miles off Angeles Crest Highway with first-come, first-served sites, fire rings, and vault toilets. For those seeking a shorter drive, Millard Trail Campground provides a quick escape from the city. Other noteworthy options include Chilao Campground in Angeles National Forest and Monte Cristo Campground, both offering beautiful natural settings within reasonable driving distance from Glendale.
Are there public campgrounds with fishing access in Glendale?
Yes, there are several public campgrounds with fishing access near Glendale. Los Alamos Campground at Pyramid Lake offers about 90 dry camping sites with water spigots available in some areas and excellent fishing opportunities at Pyramid Lake. Lake Piru Recreation Area provides lakeside camping with fire rings and picnic tables at each site, though water levels can vary due to drought conditions. Both locations are within reasonable driving distance from Glendale and offer good fishing opportunities when conditions are favorable.
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