Nestled in the Sierra Pelona Mountains at elevations between 2,900 and 3,500 feet, Green Valley offers a diverse camping landscape characterized by oak woodlands, chaparral, and scattered pine forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F during the day, dropping to 50-60°F at night, while winter can bring occasional snow with daytime temperatures around 40-50°F.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: Millard Trail Campground provides access to a short waterfall trail suitable for all skill levels. "About a 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty. But there are several trails to take for hiking and biking and I saw lots of people doing that," notes one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities. At Tehachapi Mountain Park, campers experience diverse fauna. "The scenery is amazing! There is plenty of wildlife to aww and be thankful for, from jet black Ravens to rabbits and coyotes," a camper shared.
Water recreation: Castaic Lake State Recreation Area offers boating, fishing, and swimming options. "The campground is awesome for local socal residents. There are better lakes nearby for summer sports, but this is a great campground with a lake for the whole family for a relaxing weekend," reports a camper.
What campers like
Mountain views: The elevated terrain provides expansive vistas. "I would hike past the water tower and on the trail for hrs. Beautiful sunsets," notes a visitor about the now-closed Art Farm, highlighting the region's spectacular landscape.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain air creates optimal night sky viewing conditions. At Tehachapi Mountain Park, campers enjoy star-filled nights. "There are lots of open spots, FCFS. Vault toilets and trash cans scattered throughout. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring," reports a camper.
Proximity to Los Angeles: Many campgrounds serve as convenient escapes from urban areas. A visitor to Malibu Creek State Park Campground noted, "This is a good location to explore LA and greater LA area, 45 min to Hollywood sign. The area appears to be a flash flood area with heavy rains."
What you should know
Train noise impacts: At some locations, nearby train tracks create disruptions. At Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon, a camper reported, "It's very very close to railroad tracks and at night the loud train kept waking us up. The sites are dirt so be prepared to get lots of fine dessert dirt in the camper."
Seasonal water levels: Creek and waterfall flow varies dramatically by season. "There is a stream that flows close to the campground. There is a creek that runs through the campground which makes it very pretty," noted a Millard Trail Campground visitor about spring conditions.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. "No WIFI and reception for Verizon was hit or miss," reported a Thousand Trails Soledad visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Choose campsites away from high-traffic areas for better family experiences. At Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground, a visitor recommends, "The sites are spacious and have a good fire pit and picnic table setup. The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access- it's about a 10-minute walk from most sites."
Pack for temperature swings: Prepare for 30-40°F temperature differences between day and night. "It was extremely HOT. Typically during the summer season, I like to find campgrounds that have a lot of lush trees so we can be under the canopies and stay cool," warned a Malibu Creek visitor.
Food storage requirements: Animal activity requires proper food containment. "It's important to keep all of your food and anything with any kind of smell in the bear boxes," advises a Millard Trail Campground camper who heard "an animal outside my tent at one point in the night."
Tips for RVers
Size restrictions: Many mountain campgrounds have tight access roads limiting RV size. At Little pine campground, "Fire pit came in handy with a cooking grate and parking spaces are large enough for a small RV," noted a visitor, but larger rigs may struggle with access.
Hookup limitations: Full hookups are rare in the region. "There aren't sewer or water hook ups, electrical only, but for me that's perfectly fine for a long weekend or short week with 2 kids and 2 adults. They do have 3 dump stations," explained a Canyon Campground visitor.
Road conditions: Mountain roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "The road to the campground is a narrow, twisty, two lane road. Then we got to the campground and it got narrower and steeper. The grades in some parts of the campground were double digit percent grades," warned a Tehachapi Mountain Park visitor.
